If you’re looking for a rewarding and lucrative work-from-home job, medical coding could be right for you. Medical coding is a popular choice for people seeking a career that evolves with new technology, clinical research, and public health initiatives. In fact, the demand for medical coders is at a historic high. Fueled by the healthcare needs of an aging population, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists medical coding among the 20 fastest growing occupations. Show
This bodes well for those seeking job security and an exciting career with the potential to work from home. According to AAPC’s 2022 Medical Coding Salary Survey, 51% of respondents work from home thanks to technology that enables HIPAA-compliant remote access to electronic health records (EHR). Employers Seeking Remote Medical CodersJob opportunities for remote medical coders abound. As a remote coder, you may be employed by a hospital, physician practice, coding outsource company, payer, department of public health, health information technology vendor, or consulting company. Requisite Experience to Start Medical Coding from HomeRegardless of whether you work remotely or onsite, most employers require professional certification. Many also require two to five years’ coding experience prior to offering a remote position. Some employers will allow you to gain your experience working in-house. Earning Potential for Medical CodersThe average annual salary for a certified medical coder is $58,055 — $11,000 more than their uncertified peers. If you’re new to coding and aspire to earn more, consider obtaining your Certified Professional Coder (CPC®) credential as a first step. Your earning potential rises to $64,712 when you add another certification demonstrating broader coding expertise. With three credentials, you can expect to earn upwards of $70K per year. Whether it’s your first, second, or fifth certification, our survey reveals one consistent theme: Certifications tend to amount to more pay. What are some other ways to increase earning potential? Consider the following:
How to Become a Certified Medical CoderConsider these five steps to becoming a certified medical coder:
What Exams Are Necessary to Become Certified?It depends on the credential. Each credential requires a separate exam. For example, the CPC credential requires an exam that includes 100 multiple-choice questions that must be completed in 4 hours. To pass the test, you must answer 70% of the questions correctly. Newly certified professional coders receive the CPC-A credential. The “A” indicates apprenticeship status. Removing this status requires two years of coding experience, but CPC-As can boost their employment value and potentially bypass entry-level positions by taking advantage of Practicode. Practicode is an online tool designed to reinforce medical coding proficiency with concentrated, hands-on coding practice. The experience gained with Practicode equates with one year of on-the-job medical coding, allowing CPC-As to fast-track their apprenticeship status. What You’ll Learn in a Medical Coding ProgramMedical coding programs often include courses on medical terminology, anatomy, pathophysiology, coding for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and HCPCS Level II, electronic claim submission, and more. You’ll learn the bigger picture about healthcare reimbursement, as well as compliance standards for claim submission and patient privacy. What Skills You’ll Need to be a Successful Medical CoderToday’s medical coders must be able to pay attention to details as they work through pages of clinical documentation to search for diagnoses and procedures. They must also be willing to read, understand, and apply complex healthcare regulations and coding guidelines. The ability to work independently as well as part of a coding team is important. Coders must be savvy communicators — able to talk fluently with physicians, payers, and others. Finally, they must be flexible and willing to adapt to change that could come in the form of new technology (e.g., new EHRs, document management software, or videoconferencing platforms), new regulations, and annual code and guidelines revisions. Nothing in this industry stays the same for long, which is part of its charms. Gaining On-the-Job ExperienceMany employers want to see actual coding experience before they’ll hire someone. How can you gain that experience? Consider the following:
Preparing for a Job InterviewAs with an interview for any job, those seeking employment as a medical coder should be prepared to answer questions about hard (technical) skills as well as soft (people or communications) skills. On the technical side, be ready to answer these questions:
Some employers may require an exam to test your technical coding skills, so be prepared to showcase your knowledge. On the soft skills side, be ready to answer these questions:
Also remember that anything on your resume is fair game. Potential employers may ask about specific job experiences, including what you learned in each position and why you left one position for another. They may also ask about coding productivity and quality standards at each employer. In addition, they may want to know specifically what you will add to the coding team if hired.
If you’re applying for a remote coding position, the potential employer may inquire about your home office environment and ability to stay focused and productive without direct supervision. They may also ask questions such as:
None of these questions should intimidate you, and you may not be asked any of them. We’re simply recommending that you think through possible questions and have answers prepared. Equipment Necessary to Work from HomeTo be successful, medical coders working from home need the following:
Many employers ask remote coders to sign a telecommuting agreement in which you attest that requirements have been met. Employers may also require ongoing video calls so managers can visually inspect your workspace and ensure it adheres to the agreement. Other ConsiderationsAlthough working from home is a huge convenience, it has its challenges. You must be able at eliminating distractions and staying focused to meet coding productivity and quality demands. You must be able to set boundaries to create a work-life balance that prevents burnout. Finally, you must proactively reach out to colleagues both locally and nationally to lessen isolation. If you can address these challenges, you’ll set yourself up for success as a medical coder working from home. Can I work remotely as a medical biller and coder?Medical billing and coding careers offer the following benefits: You can work from home. Many healthcare providers outsource their work, so you do not need to work from a specific office location. Many billers and coders are independent contractors.
Are medical coders in high demand?Job Outlook For A Medical Biller and Coder
When looking at the job outlook for a career as a medical biller and coder, you will be pleased to know that the new employment for this career is projected to grow by 8.54% between 2020 to 2030. The translates to around 28,600 new jobs.
What is the highest paying medical billing and coding jobs?High Paying Medical Coder Jobs. Coding Director. Salary range: $60,000-$103,500 per year. ... . Coding Manager. Salary range: $65,000-$99,500 per year. ... . Medical Coding Manager. Salary range: $60,000-$94,000 per year. ... . Coding Compliance Specialist. ... . Remote Inpatient Coder. ... . Physician Coder. ... . Inpatient Coder. ... . Medical Coding Auditor.. How can I work from home as a medical biller?To become a work from home medical biller, you need a high school diploma or GED certificate. You should also have some post-secondary education or training involving medical coding, insurance billing, and medical terminology, though some employers provide on-the-job training.
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