Table of Content
- What is Medical Coder?
- Is Medical Coding a Good Career?
- Stable Career With Room to Grow
- Decent Earning Potential
- Training Programs to Pursue This Career
- Implementation of Technical and Medical Knowledge
- Consistent Work Schedule
- Is Medical Coding a Good Career? – Closing Point
Do you’ve got this question in your mind, is medical coding a good career?
If you are interested in the medical field but do not like the idea of dealing directly with patients, you should consider the career of a medical coder. Making this your career, can provide you with some great perks, like a consistent work schedule, and steady employment.
In this guide, we’ll show you the 5 key reasons to consider a career in medical coding whether medical coding is a career that’s right for you.
Let’s get started!
What is Medical Coder?
A medical coder is a trained professional who is typically certified in the field after completing a high school diploma. Their role is to convert medical procedures into special codes. These codes are how hospitals and patients generate insurance claims.
Medical coders & billing specialists have to know medical records and they have to know how billing works. They then file the claims to insurance companies, following up when necessary.
A medical code is a liaison between hospitals, patients and insurance companies. They must also be comfortable with computers, as most hospitals employ coding software.
Is Medical Coding a Good Career?
Medical coding is one of the best profession for many reasons. It’s simple to start, has a lot of room to grow and you get some added perks.
Here’s a closer look at why it’s a savvy and attractive career decision:
- Stable Career With Room to Grow
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical records and health information technicians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030. That’s a little faster than the overall average for most jobs, so there should be opportunities.
In small clinics, a single person may code for all the patients. However, at larger hospitals, there can be several coders, all working on various tasks. One coder may, for example, handle coding of only outpatient surgery cases, while another does the coding for patients in rehab. There are a lot of types of jobs, so you can find a job in medical coding no matter where you live.
If you’re asking yourself, Is billing and coding hard? It really depends on your learning style and dedication. While it does require focused training and attention to detail, many professionals find it rewarding and achievable with the right support and education.
- Decent Earning Potential
The average medical coder makes approximately $50,059 a year. You can also make more primarily based on who you work for and where you live. Your salary can also be higher depending on your experience, skills and education.
- Training Programs to Pursue This Career
You have options when it comes to learning how to become a medical coder. For some people, that is a short course that deals only with medical coding. Most of these courses are 6 to 9 months long, so they do not take too much time. Others may opt to pursue an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in computer science or in healthcare management.
Once you’ve completed the training period of your choice, you can take a test to be certified in medical coding. Make sure the certificate is what your prospective employers want. Look up the rules in your city or state first. That way you earn a certificate to prove what you now know and get a job.
- Implementation of Technical and Medical Knowledge
Medical coders apply various types of knowledge. They must understand how to use health information software and technology effectively. They also learn simple parts of the body and what they do so they can properly interpret doctors’ notes. Most people don’t know a lot of those special Medical terminology.
- Consistent Work Schedule
Medical coders typically work regular hours, such as 9 to 5 on weekdays. This isn’t a job where they have to work on weekends or stay late very much. This timetable allows you to be in a good equilibrium between your personal life and work allowing time for your hobbies and family and friends too.
As a medical coder, your daily job is typically stable and predictable. You will encounter any number of diagnoses and procedures, but there’s no need to memorize any of it. Instead, you rely on useful devices such as codebooks and special software to search for the proper code quickly and perform well in your job.
Is Medical Coding a Good Career? – Closing Point
Still confused about, is medical coding a good career?
Medical coding is perfect for you if you want a stable healthcare job that doesn’t involve interacting with patients. The job comes with decent pay, flexible learning opportunities and consistent demand.
Do you want to start a career in medical billing?
Let Prime Well Med Solutions lead you with top-notch guidance and training to jump start your career in medical coding.
Contact us today!
