Become a Part of One of the Fastest Growing Healthcare Careers – Medical Coding & Billing

More and more healthcare employers are looking for qualified candidates to fill the position of medical coders and billers. If you have analytical abilities, are adept at learning how to use a software program, have an eye for details, then you could be the right candidate to fill that post! The expanded job growth for such positions is expected to last right through 2020.

Medical coding and billing is part of the medical records and health information industry. It’s an allied health career and one of the fastest growing professions in the country right now. It is a robust and healthy industry offering ample job opportunities, attractive remuneration with good growth prospects.

What you can expect to be doing…

Medical coding involves reviewing patient records and assigning standardized codes to the procedures and treatment received by them at a healthcare facility for the purpose of billing their health insurers. Medical coding specialists need to be trained in the latest code sets being used in the industry in addition to things like computer fundamentals, medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, etc.

The job of a medical billing specialist, on the other hand, revolves around using the data provided by medical coders to prepare, compile, and submit claims to patients’ insurance companies in order to bill them for the healthcare services provided. Medical billing professionals need to have a firm understanding of reimbursement methodologies, billing and collection processes, payment systems, and industry forms among other things.

Why you can expect this field to keep growing…

There are a lot of reasons why medical billing and coding careers are on the rise and top among them are:

1. An aging population requiring a higher demand for healthcare professionals
   The United States of America has a significant part of its population in the age group of 65 years and above. With medical advances increasing the life expectancy of humans, the number of senior citizens in the country is only going to swell. An increasingly aging population means higher demand for healthcare services and a higher demand for healthcare services translates into an increased need for qualified and trained medical coding and billing personnel to code patient records and submit insurance claims.
2. The new healthcare act
   2010 was a landmark year for the American healthcare system because that’s when the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that came into existence to increase the quality and affordability of healthcare insurance. As healthcare insurance becomes more affordable and healthcare services become more accessible, the need for skilled medical coding and billing professionals is bound to increase.
3. Digitization of health records relies on human effort
   Contrary to the belief that digitization of medical records will make human jobs redundant, the widespread use of electronic health records is likely to increase the demand for medical coding and billing specialists. Not only are these healthcare technicians required to organize and manage medical data, but they are also expected to fill the gaps in the current electronic health record or EHR systems.

These are three reasons why medical coding and billing careers are on a fast-track to growth. If you also want to ride this wave, then enrolling for a medical coding and billing training program is the first step. Career Step’s medical billing and coding programs are designed to provide candidates the necessary tools to become a certified professional in the field.

Blog written by : Frida Cooper
Frida has been working as a career guidance counselor for about 12 years. She’s stayed on top of growing industry trends through market research and interaction with young students and working professional alike. Her hobbies include swimming, meditation and music. She believes that everyone can enjoy a lucrative career by paying close attention to their passions and aptitudes. Of late, Frida has been focused on researching work-from-home opportunities for stay-at-home moms or professionals who would like to supplement their income.