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Medical Billing From Home

By DeVry University

May 13, 2023

8 min read

If you want to work in a growing field that allows you to support the needs of patients and medical professionals while contributing to the overall improvement of the quality of healthcare delivered in your community, medical billing and coding may be the right fit for you.

 

One question that many people ask is whether or not you can do medical coding from home. While the answer varies from employer to employer and type of medical facility, some companies are embracing the idea of medical coding from home, as well as hybrid medical coding work from home and work in-office models. If this sounds like something you’d like to do, read on to learn how you can prepare to pursue a medical billing and coding career that fits your lifestyle and professional goals.

 

photo of woman on the phone at a computer
photo of woman on the phone at a computer

What Are Some Advantages of Medical Billing and Coding from Home?

With more organizations supporting flexible working arrangements, it is possible to work from home. Depending on your role, here are some potential advantages of doing medical coding from home:

  • No wasted time commuting means more hours back in your day to support a healthy work-life balance.
  • There may be flexibility to set your own hours or operate on a condensed workweek.
  • Potential freedom to take breaks to tend to your personal or family needs throughout the day.
  • Ability to work with a diverse group of colleagues from different cities and backgrounds.
photo of woman in yellow blouse at laptop
photo of woman in yellow blouse at laptop

Another advantage of medical billing and coding is the overall growth for this occupation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts employment of Medical Records Specialists to grow by 8% from 2022 to 2032, with about 16,500 projected job openings for medical records specialists each year, on average, over the decade.1 This growth is projected on a national level and local growth will vary by location. This projection is not specific to DeVry University graduates and may include earners at all stages of their careers.

Are There any Disadvantages to Doing Medical Billing and Coding from Home?

As with any remote job, doing medical billing and coding from home might come with some challenges. Here are a few things to consider: 

  • If you’re new to the industry, it may be more difficult to learn the tools needed to effectively start your career from home. Some employers might require you to gain on-the-job experience before allowing you to work remotely.
  • Not all employers will be willing to offer remote work opportunities.
  • You may find that you prefer the interaction and camaraderie that in-person work environments provide.

What are the Requirements for Medical Billing and Coding Jobs?

Requirements for medical billing and coding jobs tend to vary from one employer to another. Many medical billing and coding positions may require a post-secondary credential in medical billing and coding, such as an undergraduate certificate. A good way to find a quality educational program is to look for one that includes preparation for industry-recognized certification exams such as:

  • AHIMA's Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) exam
  • AAPC’s Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam

At DeVry, our online Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Programs help you build a foundation of knowledge in medical billing and coding, while simultaneously preparing you to pursue these exams. Should you choose to continue your education, the qualifying credits earned in your certificate program may be applied toward a related associate or bachelor’s degree at DeVry.2

What Skills are Required to do Medical Billing and Coding from Home?

It’s important to know what specific skills employers may be looking for, and what skills will help you perform the duties and responsibilities of the medical biller and coder’s job most effectively. Whether in a work-from-home or healthcare provider setting, examples of important skills you should develop as a medical biller and coder include:

  • Attention to detail: To avoid data entry mistakes that may be costly (such as insurance claims being denied) or have a negative impact on the quality of patient care, medical billers and coders need to be detail-oriented.

  • Knowledge of basic medical terminology: A medical billing and coding job requires the regular and recurring use of medical terminology, so it is important to be familiar with anatomy, diagnostic procedures and treatments.

  • Verbal and written communications: Medical billers and coders are often required to ask questions or discuss patient records with medical professionals or administrators. This communication, whether via email, phone or in person, requires strong verbal and written communication skills. 

  • Organization: Strong organizational skills – applied to time management as well as the paperwork – help medical billing and coding professionals keep everything in order, which contributes to the accuracy and timeliness of the workflow. This skill may be especially important for medical coders working at home, where the boundaries between work and home life may be less clearly drawn.  

Could I Start My Own Medical Billing and Coding Business from Home?

If you have a strong desire to start your own business, you certainly could. Medical billing and coding is a type of business that can effectively be started from your home. The capital expense – money that you have to lay out to buy equipment, furniture and fixtures – is minimal, and there are no specific state or federal licensing requirements. 

Once you’ve acquired the education and skills for medical billing, and have some experience working in a healthcare setting, the process of opening your own home-based medical billing company may be kicked off by following a number of steps familiar to any entrepreneur, including:

  • Writing a business plan

  • Naming the business and choosing a business structure (such as a sole proprietorship, LLC or corporation)

  • Applying for any local business licenses that may be required

  • Opening a bank account for your medical billing and coding business

  • Developing a marketing plan

The healthcare organizations you will ultimately be working for will most likely require you to be certified, so it’s a good idea to earn industry certifications for medical billing and coding, such as the ones we’ve described above, prior to launching your business.

If you need to secure financing to purchase software and computer equipment, make sure your finances are in order and your credit score is strong before heading to the bank. 

Are Certain Specialties Better for Medical Billing and Coding at Home?

Many people wonder if they should focus on a particular specialty in the healthcare industry when looking to pursue medical billing from home. You may be thinking, are more remote opportunities available in different workplaces, such as dentists, cardiologists or chiropractors?

A medical billing specialist working remotely and coding from home
A medical billing specialist working remotely and coding from home

Ultimately, whether you can work from home in medical billing and coding will depend on the specific position you choose. If you’re curious about the opportunities available in your area, it can be helpful to do a preliminary job search to explore various roles along with the job responsibilities and any location or educational requirements. From there you can narrow down your search to the organizations and roles that best meet your needs.

Pursue Medical Billing and Coding at DeVry

Take the next step toward your healthcare career. Here at DeVry, our online Medical Billing and Coding certificate programs are designed to help you prepare to pursue a career in medical billing and coding with a flexible, hands-on learning approach. Request more information today to get connected to your designated Admissions Representative – our next 8-week class session starts soon!

FAQ

Can you do medical billing from home?

Doing medical billing at home will depend on your role, level of experience and employer. While many places may allow medical billing specialists to work remotely, it is ultimately at the discretion of the employer. If working from home is important to you, discuss this with the hiring manager during your interview process. Keep in mind that while a job may start in-person, some employers may be willing to adjust the arrangement at a later date once you've further developed in your role.

How do I pursue medical billing from home?

Consider beginning by earning your Undergraduate Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding as well as industry-recognized certifications, such as the CCS, CCA or CPC. Once you've established your knowledge and skills, explore jobs online. Try including 'remote' as a keyword in your job search to pull up any opportunities that may allow you to work in medical billing from home.

How do I pursue medical billing education at home?

At DeVry, we offer 100% online Medical Billing and Coding programs that can help you gain the knowledge you need to pursue roles in this dynamic field.

In this program, you will learn about essential skills such as:

  • Medical Terminology - Get familiar with medical terms covering anatomy, conditions, medical procedures, medications and more.
  • Health Services and Information Systems - Learn about current software and systems used in the healthcare industry.
  • Health Insurance and Reimbursement - Understand the forms, processes and systems used to submit claims for reimbursement.
  • Processing Information – Hone your attention to detail in recordkeeping and medical coding.
  • Document and Record Information - Practice entering, transcribing and storing medical information digitally.
  • Current Procedural Terminology – Understand the language used to report physician and healthcare services.
  • Classification of Medical Data – Learn to ensure data integrity through accurate medical coding.

What percent of medical billers and coders work from home?

According to the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC)’s 2022 Medical Coding Salary Survey, 51% of the respondents reported that technology enables them to work from home with HIPAA-compliant access to electronic health records. That being said, remember that remote work capabilities are ultimately at the discretion of each individual employer and opportunities may vary.

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1 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm

2For the MBC certificate program, all but one course stacks into our Associate Degree in Health Information Technology. For the AHIT program, all but one course stacks into our Bachelor’s in Technical Management degree with a Specialization in Health Information Management. Program availability varies by location. At the time of application to the next credential level, an evaluation of qualifying transfer credit will occur and the most beneficial outcome will be applied.

 

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