5 Advantages of a Medical Coding Career

NYC Certified Professional Coder

Are you just starting out or considering a career change? A career in medical coding has a variety of benefits, from flexible working environments to speed of training. If this sounds like something that might be right for you, explore the advantages of a medical billing and coding certification in NYC.

What Is Medical Coding?

According to the AAPC, a medical coder reviews a patient’s billing sheet and/or patient notes to ascertain diagnoses and procedures. It’s a coder’s job to find all of the billable procedures performed and diagnoses given in a particular encounter, and then translate these into medical codes based on a standardized codebook. They also compile important information, such as the patient and doctor’s names, to ensure coding documents are complete.

  1. Choose Where You Work

Many employers hire coders to work for them. These employers include medical settings such as hospitals, doctors’ offices, and outpatient facilities, but they also include non-medical facilities. Coders don’t just work in medical settings; they also work in law firms and even for the government. One of the most exciting things about coding work settings is the ability to work in a diverse set of environments, including from home.

  1. You Don’t Need a 4-Year Degree

Certainly, you can choose to obtain a bachelor’s or master’s degree to continue your advancement, but this field doesn’t require an advanced degree to get started. Medical billing and coding classes in NYC vary in length but, on average, you can expect to spend about four months to a year of class time before being eligible to take a medical coding certification test. Coders can choose to take the Certified Professional Coder exam, but they can also choose a specialty.

  1. It’s Always Changing

As a coder, you’ll read patient encounters and sift through diagnostic tests and procedures. No two files are exactly the same. You’ll read about an assortment of diseases and conditions. You’ll also have puzzles to solve in the form of finding and deciphering the best codes to use.

  1. The Pay Is Worth It

Let’s face it. Enjoying your job is important but, if you don’t make enough to pay the bills, then it doesn’t really matter. The Bureau of Labor Statistics tells us that, in 2015, medical coders had an average salary of about $37,110. Considering you don’t need a bachelor’s degree to start, and the flexibility this path offers, the salary is an added bonus.

  1. Job Outlook

A notable pro that people don’t always consider when choosing a career is job outlook. Medical coding continues to grow. As the Baby Boomers age and need more medical care, jobs like this one will continue to add positions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says medical coding field will increase jobs by about 15% from 2014 to 2024. This kind of expansion makes coding a very stable field to be in.

If medical coding sounds like the career for you, then get started today by registering here!

Sources

  1. https://www.aapc.com/what-does-a-medical-coder-do.aspx
  2. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm#tab-5