Don’t worry if you’re not fit to become a doctor, physiotherapist, or pharmacist. After you have completed your medical degree, there are numerous fields that you can pursue according to your skillset. 

One such growing medical field is the “Medical Coding and Billing” career. If you think you have a knack for handling codes and you can understand the medical terms – then you can expect to have a flourishing career as a medical coder. 

In this post, we will give you an overview of the medical and billing coding job and help you determine if this is the right course for you. 

Who is a Medical Coder? 

A medical coder, also known as a clinical coding officer, is responsible for assigning a specific code to a medical procedure or service according to a standard system. 

Simply put, a diagnostic coder is responsible for documenting and maintaining a record, making sure that the data is accessible to the healthcare professional. 

Is Medical Coding a Growing Field? 

If we look at the world’s current situation, all the business has gravely suffered because of this deadly pandemic. However, amidst such chaos, the healthcare sector continued to be as busy as a bee. 

Considering this, the medical coding career growth has experienced a sharp increase this year. 

If you’re wondering how medical certification can ensure a secure job, you should know that according to the data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we can expect the demand for medical coding jobs to increase up to 11%.  

How to Become a Medical Coder? 

I’ll summarize the entire process of becoming a medical coder in the following steps for your ease. 

Acquire Relevant Undergraduate Education 

You have three options when it comes to obtaining the relevant undergraduate education. 

One is to enroll yourself in a certificate program, which is the quick route to becoming a medical coder. Your basics will be covered, and you can land a job in medical coding and billing in a year. 

Another route is to obtain an associate’s degree in an area focused on healthcare management. This will give you an edge over someone who has only completed the certificate program as it allows you to work on your critical thinking, reading, and writing skills. 

The last option and the longest yet most professional route is to acquire a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration or management. Be prepared to earn more than the others, and you will have a more refined skill set. 

Obtain Preliminary Certificates 

AHIMA (The American Health Information Management Association) offers two certificates to the graduates to strengthen their resume, i.e., the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) credential, which is the first option, and the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential that falls in second. 

Procure Additional Certification 

The Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) or the Certified Coding Specialist Physician-Based (CCS-P) are such certifications that can help you land a better salary bracket. 

Start Working

You can study all you want, but hands-on experience is something totally different. It’s okay to start with entry-level coding jobs and move up the ladder as you work. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to earn extra certifications that can help in improving your CV. 

What Are the Various Medical Coding Career Opportunities? 

Once you have started to walk down the medical coding career path, you’re bound to come across numerous opportunities according to your expertise and understanding. 

We have narrowed down a list for a quick look. 

1. Health Information Clerk 
2. Medical Billing Specialist 
3. Medical Coding Specialist 
4. Medical Records Analyst 
5. Medical Records Coordinator 
6. Medical Records Director 
7. Medical Billing Manager 

And there are various other career paths for you to explore in the vast field of medical coding and billing. 

Conclusion 

We hope that you were able to get the insight you wanted into the medical coding career opportunities. It is absolutely essential to make an informed decision before pursuing a career path. I hope this blog post served that purpose for you.