If you’ve ever considered a job in healthcare but don’t want to work directly with patients, medical billing and coding may be a good fit! But, what do medical coders and billers do? And why are they in demand? The American Medical Association (AMA) reported that as of spring of 2023, the U.S. is experiencing a 30% shortage of medical billers and coders (Source, accessed November 14, 2023: https://www.ama-assn.org/about/leadership/addressing-another-health-care-shortage-medical-coders). The shortage isn’t due to turnover, either. Medical billing and coding professionals are aging out–as in retiring–and there aren’t enough qualified people to replace them. This is causing an impressive job outlook of 8% according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics’ latest data (Source, accessed: November 14, 2023: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm).
While most healthcare-related jobs are in demand, there aren’t many that can potentially be done remotely, with minimal education, and with little-to-no patient interaction. So, whether you’re looking for a career change or trying to find a job that fits your needs, keep reading. We’ve got the answers to your questions about medical coding and billing jobs, duties, and of course, salary information.
Medical billing and medical coding are different and their duties rarely overlap unless you are working for a small, private practice.
In short, medical coding professionals take the provider’s notes, including diagnoses, medications, treatments, and services provided, and translates them into codes. The codes are a mix of letters and numbers that stand for different types of medical services, diagnoses and so on. They’re used for billing and insurance reasons. Think of it as a simplified language for a patient’s medical history, because every doctor and insurance company in the U.S uses the same codes.
Medical billing professionals, on the other hand, are responsible for submitting claims and following up with health insurance companies to collect payment. They make sure patients are billed accurately and providers are paid for their services.
Now that you know the difference, let’s get into the details of becoming a medical billing or coding professional: what education you need, what a typical day looks like, and your potential earnings.
As stated above, medical billers create and send claims to insurance companies and patients in order to collect payment for services received by a medical provider. That’s the job in a nutshell, but what exactly does a medical biller do?
Your duties as a medical biller may include:
| Certification | Offered by | Average salary |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Professional Biller (CPB) | American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) | $56,981 (accessed November 14, 2023) |
| Certified Professional Coder + Certified Professional Biller (CPC + CPB) | American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) | $56,290 (accessed November 14, 2023) |
| Billing Coding Specialist Certification (BCSC) | National Healthcareer Association (NHA) | $44,629 (accessed November 14, 2023) |
| Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) | American Medical Billing Association (AMBA) | $53,000 (accessed November 14, 2023) |
Medical coders are integral to healthcare systems, acting as a bridge between providers and billing. They translate healthcare diagnoses, treatments, procedures, and services into a standard set of number and alphabet codes from patient records. These codes are used for billing, insurance reimbursement, and medical research purposes. But, what does a medical coder’s typical day look like?
The duties and responsibilities of a medical coder can include:
While certifications aren’t necessarily required to work as a medical coder, your potential earnings are significantly higher than without.
| Certification | Offered by | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Medical Insurance Specialist | Medical Association of Billers | $62,034 (accessed November 14, 2023) |
| Certified Medical Office Manager | Practice Management Institute | $66,000 (accessed November 14, 2023) |
| Certified Coding Associate (CCA) | AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) | $43,548 (accessed November 14, 2023) |
| Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) | AHIMA | $55,763 (accessed November 14, 2023) |
| Certified Coding Specialist Physician-Based (CCS-P) | AHIMA | $74,000 (accessed November 14, 2023) |
| Certified Professional Coder (CPC) | AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) | $58,895* |
| Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) | AAPC | $64,267* |
| Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC) | AAPC | $58,730* |
| Certified Professional Coder-Payer (CPC-P) | AAPC | $62,494* |
| Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) | AAPC | $64,192* |
| Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA) | AAPC | $72,304* |
| Ambulatory Surgical Center Coder (CASCC) | AAPC | $59,717 (accessed November 14, 2023) |
The average hourly wage is $23.45 or $48,780 per year according to the BLS (Source, accessed August 26, 2024: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm). Your earnings are impacted by your geographical location and your level of education and certifications earned.
While you don’t necessarily need any formal education or certifications to get a job as a coder or biller, it can help. If you have little to no healthcare or medical records experience, getting a job as a biller or coder may be challenging without any prior training or education.
An online medical coding and billing program can be a great way to prep for certification as a medical coder or biller.
The minimum qualifications for medical records positions are a high school diploma or equivalent along with some basic medical knowledge, computer literacy, and attention to detail.
You can potentially work remotely as a medical billing or coding professional. In fact, 51% of medical records professionals work from home (Source, accessed November 14, 2023: https://www.aapc.com/resources/medical-coding-work-from-home), and that number grows every year.
Without a certification and only a high school diploma, earnings will likely be an average of around $47,000 annually. When you obtain a certification, your potential earnings can jump $11,000 per year to $58,055. With each certification you earn, your salary can potentially increase too! A billing or coding professional with three certifications can possibly earn up to $70,000 per year. With this type of position, the more experience, years, and certifications you have, the more you may be able to earn. (Source, accessed November 14, 2023: https://www.aapc.com/resources/medical-coding-work-from-home)
It can vary by certification and how much time per week you are able to commit to studying. Then, you have to register and take certification exam. Since this can all be done online, you can work at your own pace and finish your medical billing or coding course on your schedule. Once you pass the exam, you will be given your certificate.
Did you know? Fast typers are in-demand. Take our free typing test to find your WPM and learn more about careers that will put your speed to good use.
It isn’t a fit for everyone, but if you have the right personality and skillset, you can enjoy the stability, flexibility, opportunities for advancement and income growth, without having to spend four years earning a college degree.
Medical billing and coding is a valuable field. With CareerStep’s Medical Coding program and online Medical Billing Certification Program, you can get a good start and consistent support. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance, we’re here to help. Start on your journey toward a new and fulfilling career path with CareerStep. Call us at 1.800.411.7073 today.
Online by design. Start training for tomorrow—today.
© 2024 Career Step, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Ok
