The Easiest Way to Become a Medical Coder
Medical coding is a career that is in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is expected to grow much faster than average through 2018. Becoming a medical coder has a lower level of entry than a lot of other medical careers, so this career choice may appeal to those who don't want to be in school for years. The easiest way to become a medical coder is to find a training program and complete it as soon as your possibly can.
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Instructions
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Find a training program. If you have a high school diploma or GED, you can enroll in a medical coding training program. There are many choices, from online programs to associate degree programs. The easiest way to get training is to find a program that works with your schedule and budget. Contact the community colleges in your area to compare programs. Some community colleges offer distance programs, and others require you to train in person.
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Complete the program. It can take between nine months to two years to complete a medical coder training program. It may seem as if it would be easier to find a nine month program, but that is not necessarily true. A longer program may be easier for you to complete if you have a lot of other obligations and you can't spend long hours studying. If you enroll in a shorter program, you'll need more time to study on a weekly basis.
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Become certified. You do not have to become certified in order to be a medical coder, but it might make it easier for you to land your first job. The American Academy of Professional Coders offers five different certifications. New coders will want to start by taking the certified professional coder exam. Since you will not have two years experience at this point, if you pass you will be awarded an apprentice designation.
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Find your first job. It may be difficult to land your first job without experience. Seek internships at a hospital or doctor's office; contact health care professionals in your area to see if they will allow you to intern. Think outside of the box by contacting long-term care facilities and chiropractic offices. You can also apply to job listings.
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Tips & Warnings
Medical coders translate the procedures that a patient has into a code so that the health care provider can receive reimbursement from the insurance company. Medical coding is not the same thing as medical billing, even though the two are similar.
