Whether you’re just starting out in your career or you’re well entrenched in adult life and need to make a drastic change, becoming a medical billing and coding professional is a great option. The healthcare industry is booming, yet the workforce in this area is sorely lacking in order to meet the demand. The employment of healthcare occupations is projected to grow 18 percent between 2016 and 2026, much faster than the average, with the addition of about 2.4 million new jobs expected, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
With the increase in the country’s aging population, there will continue to be an added demand for medical billing and coding professionals to assist healthcare providers of all kinds with the uptick in patient encounters and medical chart reviews. According to MedicalBillingandCoding.org, the average salary of a certified coding professional was $48,000 in 2012, but has grown to between $52,000 and $55,000 as of 2018. Whether you decide to work in a hospital, medical center or as a freelancer who works in a home setting, there are many reasons why you should pursue a career in medical billing and coding. Here are five of them to peruse:
1. Stay on the Cutting Edge of Technology
While the incorporation of new software can greatly enhance the job of a medical coder and biller, nothing can replace an actual human being who can enter information, spot errors and inconsistencies, and organize information in ways others can easily follow. You can train on all the latest software that assists providers, greatly enhancing your subject matter expertise and knowledge base that will keep you competitive in the field. Plus, being a medical coder can give you the experience necessary to pursue further clerical and administrative opportunities within health care later on if you so choose. Being a coder and biller puts you in the unique position to become familiar with the operations of all elements of the healthcare business. You simply don’t see that in other entry-level positions within other industries.
2. Start Working More Quickly
Most jobs in the healthcare industry require you to go through several years of special, focused training. However, preparing yourself for a career as a medical coder can happen in just three months. With the abundance of online and on-campus technical colleges and schools, you have more options than ever before to complete your coursework and training on your own time.
3. Never Stop Learning
Thanks to the ever-changing standards practices involved with insurance billing, Medicare and Medicaid, you can stay abreast of the many changes in coding requirements so you’re always active in your job. The ability to learn and adapt as the months and years go on will position you in the best possible light for advancement and fulfillment in your career. This industry is constantly evolving. The ability to stay on top of developments will provide you with invaluable perspective going forward.
4. Maintain a Predictable Work Schedule
Most medical coders work within hospitals or in physician offices. These hours tend to be fairly flexible, with steady schedules and solid benefits. Whereas others in the healthcare industry, such as doctors and nurses, work long and unpredictable hours, a medical coder can hold down a 40-hour work week without weekends. This is great for juggling a social life, family, kids and other commitments such as a second job.
If medical coding and billing sounds like the perfect opportunity to you, contact Medical Healthcare Solutions at 800-762-9800 to see just what we do and how you can become part of the healthcare industry. Here at MHS, we boast decades of medical billing experience and service to the healthcare community. Check out our career opportunities, where we highlight current medical billing specialist job openings. We also welcome you to meet our team.
