Careers 101: Medical Coding Jobs

Published on 2008-06-26

Tools:

A two-year associate's degree in health information technology or medical billing and coding is the most common route to a career in medical coding. One-year certificate programs are available, but graduates of these programs are not eligible to pursue accreditation as Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT), a certification status preferred by many healthcare employers. Certification is also offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Because of the data-intensive nature of medical coding jobs, many students find it more convenient to earn an online degree than attend a community or vocational college.

Medical careers in coding and billing require typing accuracy and strict attention to detail. Knowledge of medical terminology is essential. Medical coding is a sedentary occupation that doesn't require patient contact. A long attention span and a high tolerance for focused and nuanced work are useful qualities for an aspiring medical coder.

Tasks:

Though the terms "medical coding jobs" and "medical billing jobs" often appear together, they're actually two separate roles within the health insurance process. Medical coders use coding systems like CPT (Current Procedure Terminology) and HCPCS (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System) to assign predesignated codes to particular medical procedures and services, which helps to streamline the billing process. Medical billers submit claims to insurance companies, Medicare, Medicaid and patients.

Medical coders can choose to specialize in an area such as emergency medicine or cardiology. Coders typically work at hospital jobs or in medical facilities like clinics, doctors' offices, outpatient care centers or nursing homes. Insurance companies, law firms and staffing agencies also employ medical coders. Work from home jobs in medical coding can also be obtained, but competition is tighter than for on-site positions. The median annual income for medical coders is slightly less than $30,000.