Medical billing and coding certification can provide a way to enter the healthcare field quickly and with a relatively low barrier to entry. This administrative role will only have you interacting with patients occasionally. Still, it is vital to the proper functioning of our healthcare system. Here are 10 reasons to start a medical billing and coding career today:
1. Enjoy a rewarding career in healthcare
You do not have to be involved in patient care to enjoy a rewarding healthcare career. As a medical biller and coder, you will be responsible for ensuring that healthcare providers receive appropriate compensation for the care they provide while helping patients get the maximum benefit from their insurance.
2. Work in a variety of settings, even from your home
The most common medical billing and coding job settings include hospitals, doctors’ offices, and insurance agencies. Government agencies, including the National Center for Health Statistics and Medicaid offices, have also been known to employ medical billers and coders. Some medical billing and coding professionals even work for companies that develop medical software; others work for educational institutions that train other medical billers and coders. You may even have the option to work from home.
3. Earn an excellent salary
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that themedian medical billing and coding salaryin the United States is $44,090. However, you can earn more with medical billing and coding certification. A survey by theAmerican Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)found that certified professionals earn an average of $55,923 annually. And according to this AAPC survey, earning additional certifications will only increase your salary potential. Medical billers and coders who achieve two professional certifications earn an average salary of $64,890, and those who earn three certifications have an average salary of $70,608.
4. Experience predictable work hours
Most healthcare careers require you to be on call, working weekends, holidays, and all-day hours, but this is not the case with medical billing and coding jobs. You will enjoy a predictable schedule, and an increasing number of medical billers and coders can even work remotely.
5. Medical billers and coders are in high demand
Medical billing and coding jobs are rising and are expected to grow 8% through 2029. This is double the national average job growth, according to the BLS. It estimates that an additional 29,000 new medical billing and coding jobs will be opened in the next eight years.
6. Gain job stability, even in an economic downturn
Demand for qualified medical billers and coders is expected to continue. In fact, jobs in this field are expected to continue to increase as the population in the United States ages. An aging population will mean more claims must be submitted for reimbursem*nt from insurance companies as more medical care is provided.
7. Start working in your new career in as little as one year
This is a healthcare career you can enter without spending years in school. You can complete a professional Medical Billing and Coding online course in 12 months and begin working in your new career immediately after. Our online course will prepare you to succeed in medical billing and coding jobs with the necessary knowledge and skills. You will also be ready to earn a highly recognized medical billing and coding certification to validate your skills further and help you earn a higher salary.
8. Provide a vital service as part of the healthcare team
As a medical biller and coder, you will assign the proper codes to patient diagnoses and then request payment from insurance companies. With this profession, healthcare providers receive adequate payment for their treatment. Most of your time will involve being in front of a computer, organizing statements, reviewing bills, assigning codes, and performing quality control. You must also be detail-oriented and willing to work with others to ensure accuracy.
9. There is room for advancement
You can take many paths if you want to advance your healthcare career, beginning with becoming a medical biller and coder. After gaining experience, you could move into a supervisory role as a billing or coding supervisor or a medical or health services manager. You could also work as a medical biller and coder and use your knowledge of medical terminology and the healthcare system to help as you return to school to earn a degree in data management, nursing, and even pre-med and beyond.
10. Train entirely online
Did you know you can complete all your training for a medical billing and coding career online? Our online Medical Billing and Coding course is packed with hands-on experience. A scenario-based “Reality Check” feature begins each lesson, providing a real-life look at situations you may encounter. Then, thePutting It Into Practicefeatures in the Review section provide you with “real life” billing and coding scenarios and follow-up questions to assess your knowledge of the content. Coding and claim form activities and assignments also offer hands-on experience and practice with what you will encounter on the job.
11. BONUS: Land an externship and gain experience
When you choose to train for a career in medical billing and coding with us, you will also receive an Externship Starter Kit. This kit will help you find and secure an externship that will provide valuable experience as you look for a job and start your career in medical billing and coding.
Are you ready to start today? Enroll in our online Medical Billing and Coding course to kickstart your new career in the healthcare industry.
Learn more about how to get started in a career in medical coding and billing with our Collins To-Go Online Courses.
