Although there are several paths to becoming an underwriter, obtaining a degree and gaining experience in the field is the most successful. Medical underwriters are responsible for a variety of tasks, including risk assessment, insurance application evaluation, and policy authorization. To become a medical underwriter, you should choose a specialty area from among the many available. Life, medical, and dental insurance are all options, and each has slightly different training and educational procedures. Once you’ve decided which career path is right for you, look into a few schools that offer programs to help you become a medical underwriter.
You might want to consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree in administrative business, finance, business law, or accounting after you’ve chosen a four-year undergraduate university. A college adviser might be able to help you select any additional courses you’ll need to work as a medical underwriter. Most students should take several pre-medical studies courses to familiarize themselves with medical terminology and other information needed to assess a client’s medical history. Business courses are necessary for understanding the technical aspects of this profession and should be your primary focus throughout school. Some students may choose to continue their education and earn a master’s degree in a related field, which could broaden their career options.
An internship in a health-care administration position could also help you gain valuable experience for your future career. You can also take courses that lead to certification, which, while not required in most jurisdictions, may speed up the process of becoming a medical underwriter. Most of these programs can be found on the Internet and are generally short training courses designed to provide you with training certificates in this field.
You’ll need excellent computer skills and the ability to work with a variety of medical programs in addition to your education, experience, and training. Critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective research methods are also necessary for performing the duties of a medical underwriter. Because you’ll be in constant contact with clients, coworkers, and other business professionals, you’ll need interpersonal skills as well. When evaluating insurance cases, there are specific guidelines to follow, and you should make sure you are up to date on all proper procedures.