How to Become a Medical Coder

5 Steps to Becoming a Medical Coder

Medical coding is a rapidly-growing field that plays a critical behind-the-scenes role in healthcare. The career requires a detail-oriented approach and specialized technical skillset, and is an ideal profession for those who want to work in non-patient-facing positions within the healthcare industry.

Becoming a medical coder isn’t difficult, but it does require an associate or bachelor’s degree related to science and some credentials. This guide will help you understand the steps to becoming a medical coder, how to find the best medical coding schools and additional training.

FAQ on Becoming a Medical Coder

Medical Coder Salary & Job Growth

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for medical records and health information specialists is $44,090. Employment in the field is expected to grow by 8% from 2019 to 2029, twice the rate of most occupations.

Whether you plan on moving to attain a job as a medical coder, verifying wages across the U.S. and change in employment for this field will help you plan your path.

The enormous baby boomer generation is aging rapidly and living much longer than their predecessors. That reality is fueling massive growth in the health care industry in general — and medical coders are no exception. According to BLS, the demand for coders is expected to grow by a full 16 percent between 2016 and 2026. That's much higher than the projected growth in the general job market. Professionals with computer skills and specialities in areas like health information are likely to be in especially high demand.

Medical Coder Classes

Schooling for medical billing and coding sets the foundation for your career. Here are some of the core classes that help you gain the skills and education necessary to become a medical coder:

Medical Office Procedures

Learn how a healthcare office works, focusing on organization, communication, and compliance.

Skills & Knowledge Gained:

• Filing procedures
• Database management
• Compliance

Diagnostic Coding

Discover how to use coding correctly by applying the International Classification of Diseases 10th Edition, Clinical Modification, also known as ICD-10-CM.

Skills & Knowledge Gained:

• Enter diagnostic codes correctly
• Learn how to use coding systems
• Understand the characteristics of the ICD-10-CM

Anatomy and Human Physiology with Medical Terminology

Often offered as a pair of courses, you’ll learn the medical terms affiliated with different body parts and systems like the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and more.

Skills & Knowledge Gained:

• Discover how to identify body parts and systems using proper terminology
• Understand the organization of the body
• Learn how to use anatomy and medical terminology to enter codes correctly

Medical Billing and Insurance

You’ll learn about all the insurance programs available by private options, government programs like Medicare and worker’s compensation, and how these programs factor into the revenue cycle for health care networks.

Skills & Knowledge Gained:

• Understand how insurance works relative to billing
• Apply the codes corresponding to disability or worker’s compensation programs

Current Procedural Codes

In Current Procedural Codes, you’ll discover the basics of coding.

Skills & Knowledge Gained:

• Learn the HCPCS 11 and CPT manuals
• Gain an introduction on how coding works

Necessary Medical Coding Certifications

Becoming a certified medical coder will allow you to get a job and learn the skills you need to keep it. There are several certifications you can earn with medical coding:

Certified Professional Coder

To earn full certification, you should have two years of professional experience. The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) also suggests you have an associate degree. The online exam costs $299, and the in-person test costs $399. You will also need to be a member of the APPC, which costs $180. 

Certified Coding Associate

To take the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) test, you need to have your high school diploma or an equivalent. It is also ideal to have one of the following qualifications:

• Six months of coding experience
• Completion of an American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)-approved coding program
• Finished another coding program that includes curriculum on human anatomy, medical terminology, ICD diagnostic, and CPT coding

If you are an AHIMA member, the exam is $199. For non-members, the test fee is $299.

Registered Health Information Technician

To try the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam, you need to have one of the following:

• Completed an accredited associate degree in Health Information Management
• Finished a foreign program recognized by the AHIMA
• The exam costs $229 for members and non-members.

Medical Coding Training and Resources

Whether you're a long-time coder who wants to brush up on your skills or a prospective student looking for the educational program that's just the right fit, you're not alone. There are plenty of groups, organizations, academies, and career services designed specifically for coders or those hoping to pursue careers in the field.

• American Association of Professional Coders

  The American Academy of Professional Coders is a resource designed specifically for coders in the healthcare field. The academy offers many different resources for those in medical coding, billing, auditing, practice management, and healthcare compliance.

• American Medical Association

  The American Medical Association, one of the leading healthcare organizations in the field, offers a variety of resources for medical coders in the form of apps, newsletters, and more.

• Healthcare Billing and Management Association

  With 25 years of history, HBMA is a non-profit trade association that offers education, certification, collaboration and advocacy for health care billing and coding professionals.

• Medical Group Management Association

  MGMA provides certification and other marks of educational success, benchmarking data and statistics. It also organizes industry events, provides networking opportunities and develops informational materials for industry professionals.

• The Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialists

  PAHCS is a network gathering place for coding specialists, and its stated mission is to enhance documentation, compliance and reimbursement capabilities. The network offers certification in nearly 20 different areas.

• American Academy of Professional Coders

  The AAPC is dedicated solely to physician-based medical coders. Visit to learn about continuing education, training, networking and certification opportunities.

• American Association of Clinical Coders & Auditors

  AACCA offers certification and training designed to keep professional coders in compliance with government-mandated regulations and up to date with health care industry standards.

Resources for Medical Coders

Whether you're a long-time coder who wants to brush up on your skills or a prospective student looking for the educational program that's just the right fit, you're not alone. There are plenty of groups, organizations, academies and career services designed specifically for coders or those hoping to pursue careers in the field.

• MedicalBillingAndCoding.org

  Offers a wealth of information about how to get certified once you've finished your education, how to get your foot in the door with an entry-level position, how to prepare for a job interview and more.

• CertificationCoaching.org

  A variety of tools and resources, including practice exams, exam prep, certification, webinars and discounts on professional and educational tools.

• Billing-Coding.com

  This forum opens up discussions on a range of topics, including career advice, coding from home, schools and colleges, and general advice.

• Commision on Certification for Health Informatics and Information Management

  Part of the AHIMA network, the Commission on Certification for Health Informatics and Information Management is designed specifically for coding professionals who practice HIIM.

• Explore Health Careers — Medical Coding

  This is a good place to visit before you make any binding decisions about your education. Here you'll find information about the different types of career paths and educational options, as well as a wealth of resources regarding the industry itself and what to expect along the way as you begin your journey toward becoming a medical coder.

Finding a Medical Coder School

Like any educational pursuit, there is no one-size-fits-all program for medical coding schools. Factors like the length of the program, how it's delivered, cost and the culminating license, degree or certification will all factor into your decision.

Every state in America hosts a network of community colleges — and this can be a great option for many prospective medical coders. Community college programs are usually wrapped up in two semesters for full-time students, and generally require the completion of 11-19 credits. Programs like these can be comparatively cheap — less than $1,000 total in many cases. The cost of required course materials however, can add up quickly — sometimes costing more than tuition itself. One way to mitigate that expense while also allowing far more flexibility is through online study. Distance learners can complete a medical coding course in 10 months — and in many cases they can do it for less than $800. Another benefit of web-based instruction is that the financial burden of classroom materials is often significantly less than it would be with traditional, face-to-face instruction.

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