Why Is Medical Billing And Coding A Great Career Choice?

By Your Health Magazine

Your Health Magazine

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Why Is Medical Billing And Coding A Great Career Choice?

Medical coding and billing is a career choice that gets overlooked in the medical industry. Yet, the health sector wouldn’t function without people easing communication between doctors, facilities, and insurance companies. Essentially, it is all about turning doctors’ reports into codes that translate into services and billable expenses. This helps hospitals understand a diagnosis and course of action, and insurers file an accurate claim. Without this, patients could be left in limbo with no clear plan and no bill payments.

Training In Medical Billing And Coding

The only way to get into this career is to get certified. The job requires detailed knowledge of the codes, how to input them, and how to work to industry standards. Once you have your qualifications and understand the basics of the systems, you can take on an entry-level role. Here are some reasons why medical billing and coding might be right for you.

1) You can work from home.

This medical role doesn’t require you to be in an office working alongside other people. Inside, you get to be an independent contractor, picking up work and fulfilling your duties as needed. This is great if you prefer to work alone or need something you can do from home. Roles like this became popular during the pandemic when workers needed something new and productive to get by. The consistency of work and the benefits offered made billing and coding appealing long after the world went back to normal.

This approach means some flexibility with your hours and the amount of work you may do in a week. You can fit the tasks around your other roles and childcare needs or choose to work later hours. Sometimes there may be a lot of work to do, such as during periods of new patient intakes or seasonal illnesses. Others will be quieter. If you are happy with that level of inconsistency, you could enjoy this job.

2) It doesn’t take long to get certified.

Many careers require years of training and education to get started. The medical sector, in particular, can require a lot of commitment depending on the route you take. However, the nature of medical coding and billing means that you don’t need much time at all. There is no need for in-depth medical knowledge and experience through degrees and doctorates. As long as you have the tech skills and understand the codes and procedures, you can get to work. This means you can have your first certificate in under a year.

There are different options out there when learning how to get Medical Billing and Coding Certification in California. Look at the program requirements, course lengths, and accreditations before making your final choice. Online training in coding and billing is, again, perfect for those with families or looking to change careers. You can fit your studies around your current commitments and get where you want to be in no time.

The only downside here is that you will need to retrain and get recertified during your time as a medical coder. The industry evolves with new codes, regulations, techniques, and more to provide the best service possible. The only way to stay accurate and effective in your work is to stay on top of all those changes and have up-to-date qualifications. Still, the short length of the courses and the flexible online studies mean you can do this and continue with your work. So, if you are prepared to put in the effort, it can pay off.

3) Certified billers and coders are in demand and well-paid.

You can earn decent money as a biller and coder in this industry. Rates can vary depending on your experience and location, but they are pretty good for this sort of remote work. Figures from 2022 showed a median of $47,180. Entry-level coders earned less but had room to build on their earnings. The highest 10% received around $75,460 in May 2022. Demand for billers and coders can only rise as the nation grows – especially with its higher numbers of seniors needing care.

This is also a job you can do anywhere in the country. You might start your training and gain experience in California, but there is nothing to stop you from continuing with your work in any other state. Just make sure to look at the demand in the area before moving.

4) You get the satisfaction of helping other people.

This career choice isn’t just a way to make life easier for you and your family. This is also a way to give something back to your community – in a more unusual way. Everyone will need medical care at some time, and there will be many families and seniors in your area struggling with serious conditions and the threat of medical bills. Accurate and efficient medical billing and coding mean they can get the support they need quickly and easily. You are there to make sure everything is logged, seen by the right people, and covered. You might never meet the people involved, but you can feel good knowing you’ve helped.

5) It is a great stepping stone into a future career.

Medical billing and coding careers can pay well and give you the freedom and satisfaction you desire. You might find that this is where you want to stay on your career path for a while because it’s such a good fit. However, some people also find that it can be a great stepping stone into future careers within the medical industry. Now that you have your foot in the door and see the good you can do without a medical degree, maybe it will inspire you to go further.

There are other avenues you can take that don’t require a doctorate. Perhaps you’ll want to go into medical administration and management within medical facilities. Maybe you’ll decide to go for a more hands-on, in-person role at a medical center to help people more directly. Or maybe this is the catalyst for an even bigger career change.

Medical Billing And Coding Is A Tech Job With A Difference

Billing and coding offer many potential benefits for those who are technically minded and want an interesting and rewarding remote job. There are several perks in this work-from-home role, and those who put in the effort to keep up with their training can make a good living. Check out your options for online training and see how it can fit around your schedule. By the end of the year, you could be certified and helping thousands of people in your area.