“What do health information managers do? Literally, everything that isn’t direct patient care! Health information management professionals and their roles form the administrative backbone of any health-related organization. Every health-related administrative position can be (and is) carried out by health information managers.”
Laurie A. Rinehart-Thompson, JD, Professor and Program Director for Health Information Management and Systems, The Ohio State University
Data is critical to providing high-quality patient care in any healthcare setting. However, collecting, managing, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from health data requires specialized education and training. Health information managers have completed the necessary schooling to have the expertise to help guide healthcare organizations in making data-driven decisions that improve patient outcomes.
Health information managers work in all corners of healthcare, from insurance companies to hospitals to government agencies and clinics. They typically lead teams of other health information professionals and oversee all aspects of health data within an organization. As members of a healthcare administrative team, they use the data and their findings to provide reports and guidance to more senior staff.
To become a health information manager, aspiring professionals must earn at least a bachelor’s degree in health information management. A master’s of science in health information management is optional but highly desirable and can increase employment and advancement opportunities.
Many health information managers pursue voluntary certification as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) exam through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) as this demonstrates a high level of competency in this field.
This career is currently booming. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024) estimates that between 2022 and 2032, there will be a 28 percent increase in jobs for medical and health services managers. This increase is more than nine times the national projected average of 3 percent and translates into 144,700 new positions in the coming decade. Medical and health services managers earn a mean annual salary of $134,440 (BLS May 2023).
Discover more about this data-centric career by reading the guide below.
Meet the Expert: Laurie Rinehart-Thompson, JD, RHIA, CHP, FAHIMA
Laurie A. Rinehart-Thompson is a professor and the program director for health information management and systems at the Ohio State University. She earned her bachelor’s of science and JD degrees from the Ohio State University. Her career has spanned HIM education, behavioral health, home health, and acute care. She has served as an expert witness in civil litigation, testifying about the privacy and confidentiality of health information.
Rinehart-Thompson is the author of Introduction to Health Information Privacy and Security (3rd edition, AHIMA Press, 2024); a co-editor and co-author of Fundamentals of Law for Health Informatics and Information Management (4th edition, AHIMA Press, 2023); and a contributing author to many other professional textbooks. She has received the Ohio Health Information Management Association Distinguished Member Award and the American Health Information Management Association Legacy Triumph Award.
HealthCareDegree.com What is something you wish the public understood about health information managers?
Rinehart-Thompson: Many people don’t understand, first, that health information manager is a role. This begins with students who wish to major in the more generic health management major but don’t realize that “health information managers” not only exist but are also part of a larger and longstanding formalized profession. The American Health Information Management Association, under former names, was created and supported by the American College of Surgeons in 1928!
Once the public realizes that “health information managers” exist, they don’t understand what they do, often believing that opportunities in the field are too narrow. This could not be further from reality.
What do health information managers do? Literally, everything that isn’t direct patient care! Health information management professionals and their roles form the administrative backbone of any health-related organization. Every health-related administrative position can be (and is) carried out by health information managers. These include day-to-day operations, revenue cycle management, quality improvement, compliance (including privacy and security), data analytics, database management, staff training, research support, and information technology, particularly as related to electronic health records and their related clinical applications.
Conversely, those who understand the broad range of roles that health information managers may take on believe a health information management major is too broad and generic (akin to other general majors they may be familiar with) to provide meaningful substance that leads to true job opportunities. Again, this could not be further from the truth! Students aren’t merely introduced to myriad topics. They are given specific skills, such as working with electronic health records, spreadsheets, databases, data query tools, clinical coding tools, data visualization tools, and statutes and regulations. These practical applications give graduates the ability to hit the ground running as health information management professionals.
HealthCareDgree.com: What advice would you give to aspiring health information management students?
Rinehart-Thompson: I would advise them to research the profession well in order to truly understand the opportunities that await health information management graduates. I would also advise them to learn about job opportunities. They don’t only exist in healthcare provider settings but in many related settings where the skills outlined above can be utilized: consulting firms, government agencies, insurance, tech startups, AI ventures, electronic health record vendors, law firms, data analytics companies, medical device companies, and pharmaceutical companies.
While we hope our graduates will stay in healthcare, their skills are very much transferable to other sectors while they retain the benefit of understanding the often-mysterious healthcare sector.
Health Information Manager Specializations & Degree Types
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Aspiring professionals in health information management will need to complete a formal education program to gain the skills necessary to work in this field. The minimum level of education required is a bachelor’s degree. The most common major is in health information management, which is related to health informatics. Students who earn a bachelor’s degree in a related field can complete a post-bachelor’s certificate in health information management.
While not required, many health information managers earn a master’s of science in health information management. This advanced degree can help with employment opportunities and career advancement for those already working in the field.
Admissions Requirements for Health Information Manager Programs
Admission requirements for health information management programs vary by institution. For some bachelor’s programs, students only need to be admitted to the university or college and declare their major. Typical requirements include a high school diploma, specified high school coursework, a minimum GPA, standardized test scores, and an essay.
Some bachelor’s degree programs are competitive, and students must apply directly. Admission requirements can include extensive prerequisite coursework, letters of recommendation, a minimum GPA, and a statement of intent.
Master’s degrees in health information management often have the most competitive and stringent admissions requirements. Candidates often must have already completed a bachelor’s degree, have standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, a current resume, a statement of intent, and a minimum undergraduate GPA.
Health Information Manager Program Accreditation
Health information management programs are programmatically accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). CAHIIM accreditation assures students and employers that the program meets strict quality standards in curriculum, faculty, and facilities. Also, CAHIIM-accredited programs must publish the number of students who graduate, pass the RHIA exam, and are employed post-graduation. These statistics can help students select a program with high pass rates and a good job placement history.
It is imperative that students ensure their program is CAHIIM-accredited as this is required in order to be eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) exam through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
On-Campus Health Information Manager Degree Programs
The Ohio State University – School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences
The health information management and systems bachelor of science program in health and rehabilitation sciences at Ohio State University is comprehensive, offering both laboratory and professional practical experiences. Hands-on experience is critical in this program, and students must complete a six-credit internship during their final semester. Students will also learn about health information management’s ethical issues and how to manage people skillfully.
There are extensive prerequisite coursework requirements for admission to this degree, as students are expected to complete their general education classes prior to enrolling. These classes include math, English, biology, psychology, anatomy, accounting, and more. All of these classes must be completed with at least a C or higher and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
The program, which consists of 126 to 128 credits, includes courses such as fundamentals of health information management, healthcare revenue life cycle management, healthcare information systems and technology, project management, introduction to pathophysiology, clinical coding performance and management, health information systems analysis and design, and healthcare financial management.
- Location: Columbus, OH
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
Graduates of the bachelor’s of science in health information management at East Carolina University have mastered the tools necessary to manage healthcare information. Skills gained in this program include classification systems, clinical documentation, leadership, quality assurance, and research methods.
Upon completion of this program, students are eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) exam through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
For the graduating class of 2022, 100 percent of students completed the program and were employed in health information management within a year of graduation. Students must complete 120 credits to earn this degree. Required coursework includes human physiology and anatomy, quality management in healthcare, health data management, healthcare finance and accounting, and health data structures.
- Location: Greenville, NC
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Expected Time to Completion: Four years
With the use of a virtual lab program, students in the health information management bachelor’s at Arkansas Tech University will have the opportunity to work with real electronic health records. This unique experience allows students to gain a working understanding of how health data works across an organization.
Students will also learn the basics of medical coding and other applications that are standard in health information management. As part of their coursework, students will visit partnering healthcare organizations to learn in person how health information management departments function.
Graduates of this program work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, clinics, health insurance organizations, and educational institutions. This 120-credit program includes courses such as introduction to databases, principles of management, introduction to health information management, current issues in health information management, principles of disease, alternative health records, basic coding principles, healthcare reimbursement, and health organization trends.
Arkansas Tech also offers a master’s of science in health informatics for students who want to earn an advanced degree.
- Location: Russellville, AR
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Expected Time to Completion: Four years
University of Washington – School of Public Health
The bachelor’s of science in health informatics and health information management at the University of Washington School of Public Health has a unique capstone experience project. The capstone is completed in conjunction with a Seattle-area healthcare organization. Students work with the organization to gain hands-on skills in the real world. Past projects include disaster readiness plans, patient portal analysis, cancer screening metrics, patient surveys, and best practice implementations.
To offer students flexibility with their coursework, classes in this program are offered in the afternoon and evening two days a week. Since this is a two-year program, students must complete their general education requirements before applying. Incoming students must have completed statistics and anatomy and physiology and hold a 2.5 GPA or higher.
Students come to this program having already completed at least 90 transferable credits. To complete this degree, students must complete an additional 78 credits in the major, including the five-credit capstone project. The curriculum includes courses such as healthcare language, foundations in health information management, healthcare delivery and policy, disease concepts for managers, revenue cycle management, health data analytics, health information systems analysis, health data management, and healthcare computer systems and electronic health records.
- Location: Seattle, WA
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU); Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
Temple University – College of Public Health
Health information management and technology professionals seeking an advanced degree can complete the master’s of science in health information management at Temple University’s College of Public Health. This program is ideal for professionals looking to advance their careers or anyone in healthcare looking to work in information management. The program strongly emphasizes the design, development, and implementation of health information systems that can improve patient care and health.
Temple University uses patient-centered data to inform the curriculum for this program. Required coursework in this 36-credit program includes health data analysis, political and economic aspects of healthcare, privacy and security, and database administration. Admission is competitive, and students must submit undergraduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a resume.
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Expected Time to Completion: 2.5 years
Online or Hybrid Health Information Manager Degree Programs
University of Illinois Chicago
The online master of science program in health information management (MSHIM) at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Applied Health Sciences encompasses coding, leadership, the use and storage of patient data, and medical records. With no campus visits required, students can complete this program from anywhere in the country. Not only will graduates acquire the expertise necessary to take and pass the prestigious RHIA certification exam, but they will also learn to examine the ethical, social, legal, and organizational issues associated with health information systems and electronic health records.
This 39-credit program can be completed in just 20 months. Students take courses such as health information technology and systems, health information management theory and practice, quality management and data analysis, principles of management and human resources, legal aspects, risk management and security of health information, health information systems analysis and design, healthcare vocabularies and clinical classification systems, and healthcare revenue cycle and compliance. In 2023, 100 percent of graduates passed the RHIA exam and were employed in health information management within a year.
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Expected Time to Completion: 20 months
Boston University Metropolitan College
Boston University’s Metropolitan College offers an online master’s of science in health informatics with a track in either applied data analytics or health information management. In as little as 12 months, students can complete this program and become experts in enterprise-level health informatics. Students also learn key leadership and communication skills in order to be able to facilitate collaboration across departments in a healthcare setting.
There are 17 faculty members dedicated to this degree program with expertise in academia, private healthcare, and computer science. BU MET also offers several certificate programs in fields related to health information management, including advanced information technology, information security, and health informatics. These certificates can be completed alongside the master’s degree or as a stand-alone program.
This master’s degree requires 32 credits and includes courses such as biomedical sciences and health IT, health informatics, health information systems, ethical and legal issues in healthcare informatics, advanced health informatics, information systems analysis and design, and information structures with Java.
- Location: Boston, MA
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Expected Time to Completion: 8 to 16 months
Davenport University – College of Health Professions
For students who want to take the first step in a career as a health information manager, Davenport University College of Health Professions has an online bachelor’s of science in health information management. This degree combines business, computer science, management, and problem-solving and applies to healthcare data administration. Students also gain the skills to be medical coders—an in-demand field providing unique insight into health data management.
There are opportunities to further specialize in this degree with a concentration in either cancer tumor registry, global project management, or revenue management. Each concentration has a specific course list, including unique classes such as global sourcing for projects, healthcare economics, and cancer tumor registry operations and management.
- Location: Grand Rapids, MI
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Expected Time to Completion: Four years
Weber State University – Dumke College of Health Professions
Aspiring health information managers who have already completed a bachelor’s degree can complete an online post-bachelor’s certificate in health information management at Weber State University’s Dumke College of Health Professions. Classes are self-paced and 14 weeks long, so students can complete their coursework on their own time. If a course can’t be completed in 14 weeks, students have up to six months to finish the class.
Upon completing this certificate, graduates can sit for the RHIA exam. In total, students must complete 30 credits to earn this certificate. The only prerequisite for admission to this program is to complete a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Courses include clinical foundations in HIM, health data management, diagnosis and procedure coding, health information systems and technology, health information management issues, and healthcare financial administration.
- Location: Ogden, UT
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU); Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Expected Time to Completion: 30 months
Rutgers University – School of Health Professions
The online bachelor of science program in health information management at Rutgers University School of Health Professions prepares students to succeed in the business side of healthcare. Offered as a two-year program, students must first complete their general education coursework or already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. More than 90 percent of graduates of this program are employed in this field within a year of earning their degree.
Admission requirements for this program include 59 credit hours of general education coursework, a 2.75 undergraduate GPA, and an essay on the student who has selected health information management as a degree path. Students can also complete a 21-credit certificate in medical coding to gain a highly demanded complementary skill.
- Location: Newark, NJ
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology
Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology offers an online bachelor of science program in health information management preparing students for several certification exams such as Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), Certified Coding Specialist, and Certified Coding Associate. Students in this program will learn how to utilize healthcare software to improve outcomes, create, collect, and analyze health records, manage the quality of processes related to record integrity, and bill and code medical diagnoses and treatments.
Made up of 37 courses, this program prepares graduates to enter a wide range of healthcare positions responsible for addressing public health and data management. Courses include introduction to health science, introduction to health information management, principles of healthcare management, medical terminology, quality performance improvement concepts, healthcare research and data analysis, principles of healthcare compliance, and health information management organizational leadership.
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Expected Time to Completion: 30 months
Indiana University-Purdue University
IUPUI offers an online bachelor of science program in health information management. Graduates of this program will be able to help people navigate complex healthcare choices and protect the security of their electronic health records. Students will graduate with real-world, hands-on experience and the practicum project can even lead to an offer of employment.
This 120-credit program includes courses such as introduction to health information management, computer concepts for health information, data organization & presentation in healthcare environment, health information management, biostatistics for health information management, healthcare informatics for decision support, cultural competence in healthcare communication, health information research and analysis methods, quantitative analysis of health information, and pathophysiology and pharmacology for HIM.
- Location: Indianapolis, IN
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- Expected Time to Completion: Four years
How Long Does it Take to Become a Health Information Manager?
The length of time it takes to become a health information manager depends on the level of education pursued. A bachelor’s degree typically only takes four years to complete and is sufficient for entry-level work in this field. A post-bachelor’s certificate takes another year, and a master’s of science in health information management takes a year and a half or more.
How To Become a Health Information Manager – Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Graduate from High School or Complete a GED (Four Years)
The education journey for health information managers starts with completing high school or earning a GED. A high school diploma or GED demonstrates a minimum level of education and is often required for bachelor’s degree programs. While in high school, students should focus on biology, math, and computer science classes.
Step 2: Complete a Bachelor’s Degree Program (Four Years)
A bachelor’s degree is the minimum level of education necessary for health information managers. The most common degree earned is a bachelor’s of science in health information management. However, suppose a student is going to pursue a post-bachelor certificate or master’s. In that case, they can complete a degree in a related field such as business administration, computer science, or healthcare administration.
Step 3: Earn a Master’s Degree (Optional, 1.5 Years or More)
A master’s degree is optional for a career in health information management. Earning an advanced degree can improve a graduate’s chances of employment or can help a professional who is already working in the field secure a promotion. Master’s in health information science degrees take anywhere from 18 months to a couple of years to complete.
Step 4: Earn a Health Information Manager Certification (Optional, Timeline Varies)
Certification is an optional step for health information managers. However, a certification is often required by employers and can help a candidate stand out from other applicants. Certification demonstrates a high level of competency in the field. The most common certification for health information managers is the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) exam through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). More details can be found in the certification and licensing section below.
What Do Health Information Managers Do?
The job duties of a health information manager vary based on their place of employment. Health information managers work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, government agencies, long-term care facilities, and even educational settings. Anywhere that delivers healthcare services to a large number of people needs a health information manager. Day-to-day tasks include:
- Developing systems for the gathering of health data
- Analyzing the data that has been collected
- Preparing data for reporting
- Writing reports on data and analysis
- Making recommendations on changes to procedures to improve patient outcomes
- Working with healthcare staff to improve documentation
- Ensuring that coding for procedures and insurance is accurate
- Complying with local, state, and federal regulations surrounding healthcare information
Health Information Manager Certifications & Licensure
Currently, there are no state licensing requirements for health information managers.
Voluntary professional certification is an industry standard and is required by many employers. The primary certification completed is the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) exam through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
To be eligible to sit for the RHIA exam, candidates must meet one of the following education requirements:
- Complete a CAHIIM-accredited health information management bachelor’s degree
- Complete a CAHIIM-accredited health information management master’s degree
- Complete a CAHIIM-accredited health information management post-bachelor’s certificate
- Complete a foreign health information management degree at a school that has a reciprocity agreement with AHIMA
The RHIA exam costs $229 to $299, depending on a candidate’s AHIMA membership status. This computer-based exam consists of 170 to 200 multiple-choice questions that must be answered in four hours. Topics covered include:
- Information governance
- Compliance with uses and disclosures of protected health information
- Data analytics and informatics
- Revenue management
- Management and leadership
How Much Do Health Information Managers Make?
Health information managers are classified as medical and health services managers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2023). There are a total of 515,100 medical and health service managers working across the country. On average, they earn $134,440 per year. The percentiles for wages are:
- 10th percentile: $67,900
- 25th percentile: $86,080
- 50th percentile (median): $110,680
- 75th percentile: $157,640
- 90th percentile: $216,750
Health Information Manager Career Alternatives
Here are some alternatives to a career as a health information manager.
Become a Healthcare Compliance Officer
Medical records must be accurate and meticulously maintained. In order to ensure this happens, hospitals, clinics, care facilities, and government agencies employ healthcare compliance officers. Healthcare compliance officers can also work with administrative staff to perform audits and ensure all aspects of patient care meet regulatory requirements.
- Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Licensing or Certifying Organization: Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA)
Become a Medical and Health Service Manager
Healthcare services need administrative staff, just like any other business. Medical and health services managers have education and experience as administrators with specialized training in the intricacies of managing healthcare businesses. They rarely interact with patients and typically oversee budgets, facilities, staffing, billing, and more.
- Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Licensing or Certifying Organization: Professional Association of Healthcare Office Management (PAHCOM)
Become a Health Data Analyst
The best healthcare comes from evidence-based best practices. This applies to both patient care and overall management. For the business side of healthcare, health data analysts comb through the mountains of data a healthcare facility generates to turn it into actionable information healthcare administrators can use to inform the next steps.
- Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Licensing or Certifying Organization: American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
Kimmy Gustafson
WriterAt HealthcareDegree.com, Kimmy Gustafson has delivered in-depth and insightful articles since 2019, aiding prospective students to navigate the complexities of choosing the right healthcare degree. Her recent work includes topics such as the ethics of gene editing and physician assistant’s fight for autonomy.
Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.