How to Compare Careers in Medical Coding

Medical coders and billers work together, making sure health care providers get paid. There's a third type of career that falls under medical coding-transcriptionist. All three are quickly growing careers with a lot of opportunity. They have a lot in common, so how do you compare them? With a little basic research that anyone can do.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Look into responsibilities. All three of the medical coding careers work in health care, but they focus on different things. For a start, medical coders and transcriptionists work closest with the health care facility, but medical billers work more closely with patients and insurance companies.

2. Think about income. Careers in medical coding pay well, depending on your training and skill. Medical coders and transcriptionists usually get a higher hourly rate though.

3. Consider your place of work. Medical coders and transcriptionists deal with confidential papers that most places won't let out of the building. Medical billers might earn less, but they have a better chance of starting a medical billing business from home.

4. Research expected training. Both medical coders and billers work with computers constantly, but there are other skills they must have. If you don't have the training already, how much will you need to learn?

5. Look for reference material. Billers, coders and transcriptionists have to be careful with their work or they could be fined. Find out how much reference each career needs and decide what you're most comfortable with.

Tips & Warnings

• Get CBCS Certified. Medical coding pros who have only a high school diploma earn a salary of about $40,000 per year. But with certification, that salary jumps to $60,000 or more.
• Expect to take classes throughout your career. The health care industry changes constantly, and you will be expected to keep your skills up-to-date no matter which medical coding career you go into.
• Medical coding and billing training programs are right at your fingertips online. But before you enroll in any courses, make sure the program has a good reputation and is fully accredited.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Earn your degree from industry experts at University of Phoenix. Take the next step in your career.

[AirForceWife]

on 9/1/2008 The classes might be a good idea to see if it something that you would like to pursue. In the end it is definitely best to get an assoc. degree from an acredited college. Get your degree (2yr.) and then get certified. You will be able to get a job just about anywhere and the pay will be MUCH higher.

[chiquilee]

on 3/30/2007 I work for a Hospital that offers Medical coding classes, will this be a good choice to take advantage of the course thru my job, or should I enroll in college for medical coding