So math has always been pretty easy for you, and accounting was an obvious career choice. Now, after a few years of life as a number cruncher, you’re looking for a new challenge. But what should you do? You guessed it. Medical billing and coding could be a great new career path for you if you’re open to some schooling.
The details are everything.
Just like a position in accounting, keeping track of every little detail matters in billing and coding. Your organizational skills in math could transition well into the detailed world of assigning billing codes to every medical product and procedure. And learning insurance billing procedures is often an approachable learning task for math-savvy individuals. Simply put, the personality types who become an accountant are often a good match for medical billing and coding.
Crossover experience.
As an accountant, you might have experience dealing with collections. That could be an aspect of your responsibilities in billing and coding as well. Also, the office environment of an accountant can sometimes be very methodical and calculated. While billing and coding does include that, it can sometimes offer a little more human interaction throughout your daily tasks. So if you’re more of a people person, this career might be a good fit for you. (Note: Some positions may require coding only, with little human interaction.)
Now hiring.
If you’ve been looking for jobs lately, you’ve probably already noticed—allied healthcare positions are in demand. So if you’re tired of the competition to get a position as an accountant, billing and coding might offer more employment options. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for Medical Records and Health Information Technicians, which includes medical billing and coding, is projected to grow 15% between 2014 and 2024. Your degree in accounting combined with a diploma or degree in medical billing and coding could position you as a desirable candidate to employers.
Does this sound like an interesting new career path for you? Then learn more about the skills and responsibilities required for medical billing and coding.
Originally posted: June 9, 2015
Last updated: January 6, 2017