Medical coding has been around for a long time, but has recently gained quite a bit of attention.
It has been widely sold to the public that this is an “easy work from home, data entry job that has few requirements and high earning potential.” However, this statement is only partially true.
Before you invest time and money in an education and certification, take a moment to do some more research on this field and its potential.
Myth 1: Coding is easy
Most people who hear about medical coding for the first time believe that it is easy to learn and/or perform. Most people who have tried to learn, or who do medical coding, would disagree.
To be a medical coder, you must be very detail-oriented and organized.
Medical coders must also have an extensive knowledge base on medical billing, medical terminology, gross anatomy, insurance policies, practice management, coding guidelines, HIPPA regulations, how to use each coding manual, and more.
In addition to being knowledgeable, medical coders must also have the ability to read and understand extensive and detailed medical records and operative notes. Communication skills with doctors and insurance companies are also a must.
Myth 2: work from home
Many people hear that medical coders work from home and thus enter this field based on this alone.
While many people do medical coding from home, there is more to it than is often advertised.
To do medical coding from home, individuals must first become certified as a CPC or CCS. After certification, individuals must gain experience on the job.
Most companies that allow medical coding from home require 2-3 years of work experience as minimum.
Most coders who do medical coding from home are also independent contractors. Freelancing should also be researched and considered before investing in this career.
Myth 3: Data Entry Job
Medical coding is a learned skill. The only thing data entry and medical coding have in common is the fact that they both use 10 keys.
Medical coding requires a knowledgeable person to first read, interpret, and understand the medical record and/or operative note. Then they must determine what information is relevant and what is not. Then the relevant information needs to be translated into codes using three large manuals.
Translating this information into codes requires medical coders to know how to use coding manuals as well as apply coding guidelines that dictate things like; when a code can and cannot be used, sequencing multiple codes in the correct order, linking codes to other codes, when multiple codes are required for a single piece of information, etc. etc.
Medical coders must also be aware of insurance-specific coding guidelines and determine which guidelines should be applied in each situation.
Myth 4: Minimum requirements
The government has not yet mandated any specific requirements that one must first meet in order to be a medical coder.
However, employers have taken action on their own. Most employers will not hire someone as a medical coder without at least a CPC or CCS certification. Many employers also require at least some work experience on top of this.
People who want to become medical coders and/or do medical coding from home must find employment.
To be employable in this field, people must follow a similar career path as many other careers.
The right education is the best place to start. Taking a medical terminology and gross anatomy course should be the first step, followed by a medical coding course that will prepare you specifically for one of the two certification exams.
Once education has been obtained, individuals must take the CPC exam offered by the AAPC or the CCS exam offered by AHIMA. Any other “medical coding certification” will not be recognized by employers.
After earning the CPC or CCS credential, individuals must gain work experience. Like most other careers, starting out as a medical coder will require people to start in entry-level positions and work their way up.
Due to the sensitivity of this job and the direct impact it has on revenue entry and reimbursement, newly certified coders often find that they must take unrelated positions while learning from medical coders in the coding department. Only after they have proven themselves do they start getting medical coding assignments and receiving promotions.
Working as a receptionist in a doctor’s office, working in the medical records department, or entering data in the medical billing department are common ways newly certified medical coders start.
Myth 5: High earning potential
Earning potential varies due to many factors including geographic location, years of experience, type of specialty, economy, etc.
Starting out as a medical coder in an entry-level position often pays very little.
However, if people are able to hang on, earn less than their desired salary, and gain those critical 2-3 years of experience, the flood gate will be thrown wide open.
Currently, the field of medical coding is experiencing something of a phenomenon. The market lacks experienced medical coders and positions are not being filled. This is causing employers to offer high wages to recruit experienced workers into their organizations.
In response to this need, many people have taken educational courses and obtained their certification. This action has caused an oversaturation of newly inexperienced programmers in the labor market.
Newly certified coders are finding that winning their first coding job is becoming a competition. Additionally, the entry-level positions they are seeking are also being filled by overqualified experienced people due to a slow economy.
As a result, newly certified coders are unhappy due to the fact that they have incurred costly education, invested time, and cannot afford to invest more in a low-paying position.
In today’s market, landing the first medical coding job is key. If a newly certified coder can land an entry-level position, do what is asked of them, and get the 2-3 years of experience that employers are looking for, there will be no limit to both their career and earning potential.
Example: Personally, I started as a receptionist. My first entry level coding job paid $10-$12 per. hour. After gaining the required experience, I chose to do medical coding from home, where I earn over $50 per. hour.
In conclusion, medical coding is not exactly the “easy work from home, data entry job that has few requirements and high earning potential” career that it is often sold as, but there is some truth to this statement.
Medical coding is similar to most other careers and requires education, dedication, hard work, and experience. The harder you work, the more successful you will be.
For those who have the sole goal of doing medical coding from home, remember to research this field before investing time and money. Make sure this is the right job for you and that you can and are willing to make the necessary requirements to become a medical coder.
