Health Claims Examiner: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Health Claims Examiner programs equip students with the expertise to assess, verify, and manage health insurance claims within complex medical and regulatory environments. This specialized training focuses on ensuring accuracy, compliance, and integrity in insurance evaluations by combining legal knowledge, investigative rigor, and analytical precision.
- Health and Medical Insurance Processes and Procedures: Mastery of the end-to-end workflows involved in processing claims, from submission to adjudication, including underwriting, billing, and payment protocols.
- Health Insurance Law and Regulations: In-depth understanding of federal and state laws governing insurance operations, including compliance frameworks and statutory requirements affecting claims handling.
- Health Care Industry Law: Study of legal standards specific to healthcare delivery systems, patient rights, provider obligations, and the intersection of medical practice with insurance policy enforcement.
- Record-Keeping and Documentation Standards: Training in maintaining accurate, secure, and audit-ready records that meet legal, ethical, and operational benchmarks across healthcare and insurance sectors.
- Analytic and Investigatory Techniques: Development of systematic methods for identifying discrepancies, fraud indicators, and errors through data analysis, pattern recognition, and forensic review.
- Evaluation Methods for Claims: Application of structured criteria to assess the validity, necessity, and appropriateness of medical services billed under insurance policies.
- Field Operations and On-Site Investigations: Preparation for conducting in-person assessments, including facility visits, interviews, and evidence collection to verify claim legitimacy.
- Office Procedures and Workflow Management: Familiarity with efficient administrative systems that support timely and accurate claim processing within high-volume insurance environments.
- Software Applications for Claims Management: Proficiency in industry-specific platforms used for tracking, analyzing, and resolving claims using digital tools and databases.
- Oral and Written Communications Skills: Cultivation of clear, concise, and professional communication abilities essential for reporting findings, interacting with stakeholders, and documenting decisions.
- Interviewing Techniques for Claims Verification: Strategic training in conducting effective interviews with patients, providers, and third parties to gather critical information for claim validation.
- Professional Standards and Ethics: Emphasis on integrity, confidentiality, and ethical decision-making in high-stakes environments where financial and health outcomes are at stake.
Health Claims Examiner Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Health Claims Examiner Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Health Claims Examiner degrees, including Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 305,020 professionals.
National Average Salaries
Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators 13-1031 | $76,790 | $47,810 - $112,150 | 305,020 | $36.92 |
Health Claims Examiner Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $59,950 in North Dakota to $92,660 in Maryland—a 55% difference. The highest-paying states include Maryland, California, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 305,020 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Health Claims Examiner by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 1 institutions offering Health Claims Examiner programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Health Claims Examiner is found at Galaxy Medical College (5 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 5 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Galaxy Medical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | North Hollywood, California | Private | galaxymedicalcollege.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Health Claims Examiner programs
How much can I earn with a Health Claims Examiner degree?
Salaries for Health Claims Examiner graduates vary by role and location. Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators earn a median of $76,790 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Maryland average $92,660 compared to $59,950 in North Dakota. Approximately 305,020 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Health Claims Examiner programs?
Currently 1 accredited institutions offer Health Claims Examiner degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Galaxy Medical College (5 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Health Claims Examiner growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 107 in 2010 to a peak of 15 in 2020, before declining slightly to 5 in 2023-24. This represents a 95% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Health Claims Examiner degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators. Related occupations employ approximately 305,020 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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