Q: Is it hard to be a medical coder?

No, it is not hard to be a medical coder. Compared to some other health professions, becoming a medical coder is reasonably fast if you have the financial means and time. Programs can be as low as $3,000 to roughly $20,000. Exams to gain certification can cost around $300-400, such as the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam costing $299. Students in their program typically learn coding and classification systems such as ICD-CM coding and classes about patient confidentiality.

Q: How much can you make as a medical coder?

You can make as much as $73,000 as a medical coder. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that medical coders, also known as medical records technicians or medical records specialists, made a median annual wage of $44,090 in 2020. Depending on experience, location, and industry, medical coders can make more. In government, they made around $55,000. In general medical and surgical hospitals at private, local, and state levels, they made around $47,000.

Question 1

How long does it take to become a medical coder?

Accepted Answer

It takes about nine months to two years to become a medical coder. Depending on what program you enroll in or what kind of job you want, the program can be completed in as few as nine months.

Question 2

How much does it cost to become a medical coder?

Accepted Answer

It can cost between $3,000 to $20,000 to become a medical coder. It depends on the program and certifications you choose.

Programs can be as low as $3,000 to roughly $20,000. In California, residents can enroll in Santa Barbara City College's Medical Coding Specialist Certificate program for just $1,748 (or $46 per unit). However, non-residents are charged $331 per unit, totaling the cost to $12,578.

Question 3

Is being a medical coder a good career?

Accepted Answer

Yes, being a medical coder is a good career. The profession is projected to grow by 8.54% between 2020 and 2030. Some of the reasons this is a good career include;

This career path will not require years of college. One of the top pros of being a medical biller and coder is that you can start your career in this field with the completion of a short accredited training program. It will take you anywhere from 7-24 months depending on the type of program you choose.
This means that you can get out there and start making money within a short period after graduating high school or earning your GED. Other career paths in healthcare will require years of college after high school.
You can complete your training online. One of the advantages of being a medical biller and coder is that you can complete your training online. The benefit of being able to learn online is that you can do your training any time of the day or night. You can do it when you have free time, before work, after work, etc.
Online training will provide you with a great deal of flexibility. Learning online also makes it easier to stick with your training. If you learn in a classroom, you might start off interested, but boredom may set in after the first few weeks, and you will stop going.
When learning online, nothing really changes; there is no need to drive somewhere, find parking, and sit in a classroom, which means that there's no need to lose interest.
Cost of education is low. The training that you will be required to complete to become a medical biller and coder is relatively low compared to other careers. The cost to complete a program is anywhere from $1,000 to 3,000 dollars. That is nothing in comparison to different jobs.
For example, it is much cheaper than becoming an electrician, which costs anywhere from $7,000 to $15,0000. This is good news for anyone who's interested in the medical billing and coding field!
Growth opportunities. One of the pros of being a medical biller and coder is that there is plenty of room for advancement. After gaining experience in your field, you can work in practice management, medical auditing, compliance, clinical documentation improvement, education, and more.
Some medical billers and coders move into being consultants. They may specialize in a particular type of billing, such as electronic transactions or cardiology billing. Some full-time consultants travel and work on multiple accounts, while others establish a base of loyal clients and stay in one place.
Flexibility. One of the most significant advantages of being a medical biller and coder is that you can work from home. This is an excellent advantage for those who have children or pets that they do not want to leave at home during the day.
It is also advantageous for those who live in an area where it snows, and you can not get out of your driveway to go to work. Working from home will also enable you to complete all the daily chores that need to be done and still have time for a salary job.
As a medical biller and coder, you will also have the ability to work as an independent contractor. As an independent contractor, you will be able to work for any medical facility that needs your services. The type of facility you work for will be determined by the services that they need to have billed.
The benefit of being an independent contractor is that you can dictate when you will work. There is no set schedule; this will allow you to take on as much work as possible.
The typical workweek for a medical biller and coder is from Monday-Friday. However, in certain jobs, you can make your own hours for the week as long as you complete your assigned tasks. Now, if you work from home, then you will be able to work your schedule around whatever is going on in your life.
Variety of workplace choices. As a medical biller and coder, you will have the opportunity to work in many different settings. Medical billers and coders can work for health insurance companies, hospitals, or medical practices.
Rehab facilities, long-term care facilities, and even independent professional billing services are other great options for a medical coder. This is great because if a setting does not fit so well, you have many others to try until you get the best fit.
One of the top pros of being a medical biller and coder is that you can essentially work anywhere. The entire country is in need of this line of work, so you would not need to relocate for your job unless you really wanted a change of scenery.
You can easily find a job at a doctor's office, medical facility, hospital, or even with one of the many companies specializing in medical billing and coding.

Question 4

Is it hard to be a medical coder?

Accepted Answer

No, it is not hard to be a medical coder. Compared to some other health professions, becoming a medical coder is reasonably fast if you have the financial means and time.

Programs can be as low as $3,000 to roughly $20,000. Exams to gain certification can cost around $300-400, such as the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam costing $299. Students in their program typically learn coding and classification systems such as ICD-CM coding and classes about patient confidentiality.

Question 5

What are careers in medical billing and coding?

Accepted Answer

Medical billers, medical records coordinators, and coding specialists are careers in medical billing and coding. Here are some details on these careers and others in medical billing and coding:

Question 6

What are careers in medical coding?

Accepted Answer

Medical billers, medical records coordinators, and coding specialists are careers in medical coding. For more details on each of these careers and others in medical coding, reference this guide:

Question 7

What do I need to do to become a medical coder?

Accepted Answer

You need specialized training and certification to become a medical coder.

While some jobs may provide training and don't require a postsecondary degree, enrolling in a medical coding program can be helpful. Programs can be completed within a year or two. Some jobs may need a two-year associate degree in medical coding and billing or even a four-year bachelor's degree.

Question 8

What is the career path for a medical coder?

Accepted Answer

The career path for a medical coder includes jobs as a medical records specialist, medical coder, and office manager. Medical coding is a career path that can often offer a lot of flexibility, such as both part and full-time positions as well as positions that require education and some that do not.

Question 9

Who hires entry-level medical coders?

Accepted Answer

Hospitals, physicians' offices, and healthcare consulting services hire entry-level medical coders. While these are the main places a new medical coder can find work, the medical coding profession is actually used in many other places as well, including:

Question 10

How much can you make as a medical coder?

Accepted Answer

You can make as much as $73,000 as a medical coder.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that medical coders, also known as medical records technicians or medical records specialists, made a median annual wage of $44,090 in 2020. Depending on experience, location, and industry, medical coders can make more. In government, they made around $55,000. In general medical and surgical hospitals at private, local, and state levels, they made around $47,000.

Question 11

How much does a billing person make?

Accepted Answer

A person who manages the billing for a company makes around $45,000 in a year. The salaries range from a low of $30,000 to a high of $55,000 in a year, but the average hourly wage is typically around $15 to $20 an hour.

Question 12

How much does a medical coder make working from home?

Accepted Answer

A medical coder makes about the same salary working from home as their office counterparts.

Experienced coders may work from home depending on their employer or if they are contract workers. However, that generally doesn't impact your pay. Employers typically will not change wages, especially during the pandemic where remote and work-from-home options have shown to be still productive (or even more effective).

Question 13

Is medical coding a dying career?

Accepted Answer

No, medical coding is not a dying career. Although people think that advanced technology might replace medical coders, the fact is that the job requires a mix of technology and analytical skills.

Question 14

Is medical coding a good job?

Accepted Answer

Yes, medical coding is a good job. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, medical coding is one of the 20 fastest-growing occupations. One of the reasons that medical coding is a fast-growing occupation is due to the job security and quality of life factors.

Question 15

How to get medical coding experience

Accepted Answer

You get medical coding experience by obtaining the correct education and working as an assistant medical coder. Medical billing and coding workers use technology to help healthcare professionals update medical records and obtain payment for services rendered.

Question 16

What is a CCA certification?

Accepted Answer

A certified coding associate (CCA) is a certification in medical coding that proves that an individual has skills in areas like reviewing medical records, applying diagnostic codes, and maintaining medical records. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) administers the CCA certification.

Question 17

What is the AAPC certification?

Accepted Answer

AAPC certification is a highly regarded medical coding certification. The organization offers many different types of coding certificates pertaining to a variety of specialties.

The American Association of Professional Coders offers coding certification in the areas of medical billing, auditing, documentation, compliance, and practice management. Of all the various certifications offered, over 81% of those certified through AAPC sought the CPC or certified Professional Coder certificate.

Question 18

How do I put a CPC certification on my resume?

Accepted Answer

You put a CPC certification on your resume in a dedicated certification section. Depending on the amount of experience you have, this should be at the top of your resume under your education or near the bottom under your work experience.

Question 19

What is a medical coder's job description?

Accepted Answer

A medical coder's job description is to apply industry-standard codes that relate to specific medical diagnoses, treatments, and procedures to patient health records in the healthcare industry. Insurance companies then use these codes to process claims and ensure that patients are billed properly.

Question 20

What should a medical coder put on a resume?

Accepted Answer

A medical coder should put all relevant work experiences and education in medical coding on a resume. From here, you will organize and stylize this information to make it as relevant and compelling as possible.

Question 21

What skills do you need to be a medical coder?

Accepted Answer

The skills you need to be a medical coder include understanding medical terminology, communication skills, and technology skills. All three of these skills are considered essential for performing the role of a medical coder.

Question 22

How to get a medical coding job without experience

Accepted Answer

To get a medical coding job without experience, you must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, keen observational skills, and strong skills regarding basic technical software.

Question 23

What does a medical coder do on a daily basis?

Accepted Answer

A medical coder goes over medical records, assigns medical codes, and makes sure all of their work is accurate and correct on a daily basis. Here are some details on the common daily activities of a medical coder:

Question 24

What does an entry-level medical coder do?

Accepted Answer

Entry-level medical coders work with insurance companies and clients, obtain payments, and create and submit claims.Before beginning work, medical coders must complete programs that teach the fundamentals of medical coding. From there, medical coders can begin working.

Question 25

Where do medical coders work?

Accepted Answer

Medical coders work in hospitals, outpatient care centers, and physician's offices. In all these settings, a medical coder's job is to transcribe a patient's visit into a series of universally recognized codes that detail exactly what information was gained during the patient's visit.

Frequently asked questions about medical coders

Questions about becoming a medical coder