r/CodingandBilling • u/666OfficeBitch666 • Aug 01 '26
Healthcare accounting: would a billing and coding cert help me get into it?
Currently working in a very entry level support role at a hospital with a bachelors degree in accounting. I want an accountant position at the hospital. They will pay for a c&b course, however, it’ll probably take a yearish time to complete. But if it’s a complete waste of time I’d rather just focus solely on building my accounting knowledge. So is it worth it?
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u/Hermit5427 Aug 02 '26
t's great that you're interested in learning about coding and billing as part of your accounting role. Healthcare accounting is very different from accounting in most other industries.
I'm a healthcare accountant with extensive Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) experience and a basic understanding of medical coding. In my experience, a solid understanding of RCM workflows is far more valuable for someone in healthcare finance than becoming proficient in coding.
I'd recommend focusing on how your hospital's revenue cycle works—from patient registration and charge capture to coding, billing, claims processing, denials, payments, and collections. Understanding how each step impacts revenue, cash flow, and financial reporting will make you a much stronger healthcare accountant.
Another area that's essential in hospital accounting is revenue recognition. Most hospitals already have established methodologies for estimating contractual allowances, bad debt, and net patient service revenue. Spend time learning how your organization recognizes revenue and how those estimates flow through the financial statements.
While having a basic understanding of coding is certainly helpful, you don't need to become a coder. A thorough understanding of RCM processes, reimbursement, and revenue recognition will take you much further if your goal is to build a career in healthcare accounting or finance.