Medical coders are vital to the healthcare information industry as they are responsible for using the appropriate codes for various medical services in order to ensure the smooth transfer of payments to healthcare institutions and practitioners. These codes refer to the amount of money that will be reimbursed to healthcare practitioners with regards to treatments, surgical procedures and medications that the patient receives in the course of their therapy. These codes cover everything from routine childhood immunizations to complex surgical procedures, such as open heart surgery. Here’s how to become a medical coder.
- You’ll need to know the proper codes. Coders are employed by hospitals, extended care facilities, doctor’s offices and insurance companies. They are responsible for reading and reviewing documents related to the patient’s current condition and then assigning the appropriate codes or reviewing codes for accuracy. Most coders will chose a specialty to become qualified in an area such as hospital inpatient, hospital out patient, or professional fee coding. Every procedure done to a patient requires a code for proper billing. Proper coding is absolutely essential for reimbursement. If a code is not added, then money that is due to the facility or practitioner will not be paid. If the wrong code is put on the claim, then it is fraud and huge fines may be levied against the facility or provider.
- You have a few educational and training options. While it is technically possible to pass the credentialing examination without taking the formal courses required, it is extremely difficult unless you are already in the profession. Graduation from high school or a GED is the first step in the education process. Classes for medical coding are offered online and through technical colleges and universities. Courses will include medical terminology, basic anatomy and physiology, ICD-9 and CPT coding conventions. A certificate program will take about 15 months to complete. It is also possible to get an associate’s degree in coding which will allow you more job flexibility. It takes about two years to complete an associate’s degree. The extra time will be well worth it if you decide to advance through the ranks in coding and Health Information Management (HIM). Additionally, it is possible to start in the profession with a four year bachelor’s degree. The general trend in the field is to have at least some college education be it at a brick and mortar school or online.
- Look into certification agencies. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) are the gold standard in credentialing. Having their credentials will open doors. It allows prospective employers to see what level of coding experience you have. The Certified Coders Associate (CCA) is the credential awarded to those who pass the exam and have a high school diploma and/or a certificate education. This is an entry level position and will allow you to get started on this interesting career. Other credentials are available depending upon education level, years of experience and area of specialization (in-patient, out-patient, or ER, just to name a few).
- Take continuing education credits. Staying current in this profession is vital and to maintain your credentials you will need to obtain a set number of continuing education credits (CEUs) every three years. This can be achieved by taking additional classes and obtaining an advanced degree, or by taking educational offerings that your credentialing body will accept. These offerings are available online, through AHIMA and AAPC, or through local coding organizations.
- Salary ranges increase with more schooling. The salary range is wide for medical coders, as you can imagine with such a broad entry level into the field. Those with a bachelor’s degree will out earn those with a high school diploma by around $10,000 per year. The average salary for coders that are credentialed is $46,000 with the range between $21,000 and $75,000. This number will vary with location and education level in addition to the credential. This is one profession where additional education will pay off. Those who work in large facilities in urban areas tend to make higher wages than those who work in small rural clinics.
- The job market for coders is strong right now. The job market is expected to increase by about 20% in the next 20 years. Those that are very comfortable with computers will be in high demand as more medical practices switch over to electronic health records (EHR).
Medical coding is a career path that is in high demand and can be entered into with a small educational investment. There are multiple career paths that can be taken once you are in the field, and it is very possible to work your way up the ladder in this job. There are multiple educational opportunities that can be achieved while still working full time. That is not always a possibility in other jobs. You can also enter the profession at the entry level position and make a good living and never return to school again except for earning your CEUs. The medical coding field is one of the most versatile jobs around in that regard and the working conditions are generally very good. In fact after a few years in the field it is possible to work from home. Generally, you will have to work for a company for a few years to get to work from home, as this is a highly sought after position. It is also possible to do a little extra work from home in addition to your full-time job if you so desire. This is truly a job where you can be in charge of your destiny.