Ready to jumpstart your career in healthcare but not sure where to start? Read the benefits of medical billing and coding to see if this could be the right path for you.
Job flexibility
Whether you're looking to jump into the field full-time or slowly get your foot in the door by working part-time, medical billing/coding provides flexibility for its workers. The freedom to choose how much or how often you work is beneficial to maintaining the lifestyle you desire. Maybe you're a mother who's interested in returning to work after taking time off to raise your family. Perhaps you are a recent graduate of a medical and billing program and are not sure about where you want to work so you explore some part-time opportunities. Either way, this profession grants you the ability to be flexible in your decision. Additionally, you can work in many different healthcare facilities from hospitals to clinics.
High demand
Right now, medical billing and coding specialists are high demand. With the growing popularity of electronic health records (EHR) and the aging of the U.S. population, jobs for billers/coders will continue to increase. This reported growth from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that medical records and health information technician positions, such as medical billing and coding, are increasing faster than many other occupations.
Be your own boss
Branching off the advantage of working from home, the beauty of being an independent billing and coding specialist means you can pursue freelance positions that allow you to choose who you work for. You may not be required to work the traditional nine-to-five schedule that most people do in the professional world. You dictate your work flow and time management contributing to your success as a coder. There may even be an opportunity to start your own coding company and become a small business owner. This can make you both helpful and influential in your community.
Long-term satisfaction
Healthcare is an industry that is always changing and evolving. As medical advancements and innovations are released, the standards and practices of medical billing/coding must shift as well. Although these new requirements may be alterations to your daily work load, they can keep you alert and actively learning on the job. Adapting to a changing environment is a key aspect to being satisfied with your job for a long period of time. The changes in medical coding and billing can keep you on your toes, which for some, is essential to enjoying what they do.
Opening other doors
Very few people want to be working in the same job forever. Many want to grow and be promoted thus earning more money and bettering their career. Beginning as a medical coder can start you on the path to pursue more prestigious administrative positions in healthcare. Some entry-level positions can expose you to the many facets of how a business works. You can leverage your skills over the years to earn positions of more and more responsibility. Down the road, the skills you gained you as an entry-level coder may come back to help you.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical billing jobs are expected to increase by 15 percent through 2024. This equates to over 29,000 new jobs. With these kinds of numbers in mind, it's definitely worth considering a career in medical billing and coding by looking into diploma or associate degree education.
Originally posted: December 14, 2014
Last updated: January 9, 2017