The primary difference is:
- Healthcare management refers to the practices and procedures involved with operating and supervising hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
- Health information management involves the collection, analysis, maintenance and security of a healthcare facility’s billing, research, quality improvement and credentialing.
Both fields combine high-level business and day-to-day functions of a healthcare environment to support the delivery of excellent patient care.
Discover more details about the difference between healthcare management vs. health information management.
With Herzing University you are never alone. It’s our goal to provide all students an affordable, career-driven education. Financial aid options include:
- Loan options – Federal & private
- Scholarships & grants
- VA / military benefits
- Other sources of financial aid
You can find an estimate for tuition and expenses by using the Herzing University tuition wizard.
Finding your place and succeeding in your career depends on your strengths in relation to the skills needed in health information management, including:
- Analytical skills
- Attention to detail
- Communication and teamwork
- Technical skills
- Leadership skills
Because of the increased need for data-driven decision making and growth of information technology in healthcare, health information managers must be adept on the execution or managerial side of day-do-day tasks. Those strong on both sides can find great career success in HIM.
Given the increased demand in the industry, wide range of jobs you can pursue and the average salary you can earn, going back to school and earning your degree in HIM is definitely worth it. It’s a field with high growth potential and excellent career mobility.
There are a few primary differences between medical billing and coding and health information management.
Those who work in medical billing and coding, who may be referred to as medical records specialists, play a key role in the healthcare revenue cycle, ensuring Electronic Medical Records (EMR) are assembled accurately and entered into health information systems properly. They communicate with healthcare staff, insurance companies, and patients to best represent services provided (coding) and secure payment for those services (billers).
Health Information Management professionals (sometimes referred to as Health Information Technology – HIT) are responsible for maintaining, analyzing, and optimizing these systems. Their role is more on the backend, emphasizing informatics and Information Technology (IT). These professionals create, manage, and analyze the systems billers and coders rely on to maintain the Electronic Health Record (EHR). They can also play a wider role in data analysis, management, protection, and administration of patient health information.
With Herzing University, you have several potential options to consider:
- Master of Science in Healthcare Administration. After earning a bachelor’s degree in HIM, this online 16-month program can help you qualify for job opportunities in health administration which may require a master’s degree.
- Master of Business Administration (MBA). You may also choose an MBA pathway to strengthen your business acumen. Our bachelor’s degree program features a dual credit option in which you can apply credits earned towards an MBA degree.