The Need For Medical Billing & Coding Certification

The need for medical billing and coding certification has been redefined in the recent years, with a higher demand for professional coders in the health industry. The reason behind this incredible growth in the medical billing and coding department is largely because of the increase in the number of elderly patients, an overall decline in people’s health conditions and the updated technology that has been introduced in the medical industry.

Career Prospects For A Certified Professional Coder

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has recently declared that as per the figures quoted in the year 2008, there were a total of 173,000 certified professional coders working in different health facilities across US. In fact, the bureau has noted that every four out of 10 certified professional coders found employment in larger hospitals, whereas the rest of them were employed by nursing homes, domestic health service providers and doctors’ clinics.

For the ten-year period between 2006 to 2016, the bureau has predicted a growth of around 18 percent in the field of medical coding and billing, making it one of the most sought after professions for individuals looking to make a career in the healthcare industry.

The Need For CPC Credentials

The Certified Procedural Coder (CPC) credentials is an assessment that qualified medical coders can appear for in order to be certified by organizations like the American Association of Medical Billers and American Health Information Management Association. Acquiring the CPC credentials also provides professional in the coding and billing department with the opportunity to keep themselves updated with the latest developments in their field. Moreover, mentioning the CPC accreditation on their resumes exponentially increases their chances of scoring a job at reputable healthcare facilities.

By achieving these credentials, coders prove their competitiveness and greater ability to meet the challenges in a professional medical coding and billing environment. The certification equips them with:

• The capability to provide consultation and advice on how medical coding and billing work
• Comprehensive knowledge of the rules and regulations devised by the federal health authorities
• The ability to multitask and become experts at different fields related to medical billing and coding

Earning Potential Of A Certified Medical Coder

The average salaries of accredited medical coders, working in a variety of health and insurance organizations, is found to be between $35,999 and $44,562. The highest amounts have been found to be $74,000. Statistics show that the pay scales in larger cities are definitely much higher than what the health facilities in smaller towns offer.

Individuals with medical billing and coding certification can also work from home, according to their own convenience. Not only does it help the work-at-home coders to save money on transport, but they also get paid an average amount ranging between $10 to $12 per hour. Accreditation from recognized organizations helps coders in expanding their horizons in terms of their expertise in the field.