Posted on November 14, 2022
Pursuing a career in the healthcare industry often can be rewarding. The medical field is stocked with fulfilling roles, each offering its own unique benefits. Among those careers is the role of a medical coding specialist.
Medical coders are tasked with updating a patient’s medical records, using standardized information needed for data management and billing purposes. They play a key role in the proper functioning of the healthcare industry – one of many reasons medical coding specialists often love what they do. Prism Career Institute offers the fundamentals in medical coding training in our medical assistant programs in Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, NJ, and Philadelphia, PA. Specializing in medical coding will require additional training. Here, we discuss some reasons so many medical coders are satisfied at work.
Medical Coders Help Medical Operations Run Smoothly
Often behind the scenes, medical coders are crucial members of their healthcare team. They assign proper codes to identify patient diagnoses and then request payment from insurance companies. Without the services of a medical coder, healthcare institutions would not receive proper payment for their treatments, and patients would not receive the care they need. Medical coders prove that you don’t need to be in patient care to help people.
Medical Coding Specialists Have Excellent Job Security
Not having to stress over whether your job is secure can play a huge role in how much you enjoy it. Medical coding specialists have the luxury of knowing their role is in high demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical records specialists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2022 to 2032. Furthermore, about 15,000 openings for medical records specialists are projected each year, on average, over this period.
Medical Coders Earn a Comfortable Living
While money may not be the sole reason medical coders love their job, it certainly helps. The median medical billing and coding salary in the United States is $47,180. Medical coders who earn various certifications may be able to acquire higher earnings. A report conducted by the American Academy of Professional Coders found that medical billers and coders who achieve two professional certifications earn $66,198 annually, on average. Meanwhile, those who earn three certifications have an average salary of $71,360.
Medical Coders Work in a Variety of Settings
Being able to work in a variety of medical settings is one of the main advantages of becoming a medical coder – and one of the reasons they love their profession so much. The most common medical billing and coding job settings include:
- Doctor’s offices
- Hospitals
- Insurance agencies
- Government settings
- Educational institutions
- Law firms
Some companies will even allow medical coders to work remotely. Having the ability to choose their work environment, as well as select the one that best suits them, is just another reason medical coding specialists are so fond of their role.
Predictable Hours and Scheduling
In many instances, working in the medical field requires you to work unpredictable hours, including on weekends and holidays, and remain on call. This can often interfere with your personal life. Luckily, that is not the case for many medical coding specialists. Medical coders enjoy a predictable schedule, allowing them to prioritize their time better and have a more ideal work-life balance.
Medical Coders See Room for Advancement
Many highly motivated individuals choose to become medical coders because of the various career paths they can pursue afterward. After gaining experience in their role, medical coders can move into a supervisory role as a billing or coding supervisor or a medical or health services manager.Medical coding career path possibilities are plentiful.
Learning Basic Medical Coding Skills at Prism Career Institute
Students interested in learning the necessary skills of the medical coding profession should enroll in the Medical Assistant program at Prism Career Institute. Offered at our Philadelphia, PA, and Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, NJ, locations, this program includes a basic understanding of medical coding concepts. Led by dedicated instructors, the medical assistant program also covers several other engaging topics, such as:
- Records management
- Professional communication
- Career development
- Medical law and ethics
- Anatomy and physiology
- Administrative procedures
For more information regarding our medical assistant program and how we can help you begin your quest toward a rewarding healthcare career, contact us today at Prism Career Institute.
