Is Medical Coding a Good Career?

Is medical coding a good job? We think so! Coding medical diagnoses and processes is one of the many steps in the medical billing process. A medical coder will gather information on the diagnosis and treatment received by a patient and assign an alphanumeric code to each item. Medical billing and coding is important to the modern healthcare system because it enables care providers to accurately submit billing to health insurance providers and gather data regarding the patient experience.

Before going any further, let’s discuss two types of medical codes. Each service or procedure a patient receives is assigned a code from the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) or the International Classification of Disease, 11th Revision (ICD-11). A CPT code usually consists of 5 numbers, although some of them have 4 numbers and a letter. 

The categories of CPT codes include:

Medical coders typically need a postsecondary certificate, and in some cases an associate degree, to enter this occupation. Many employers also require medical record specialists to hold certifications in addition to their education. 

Enrolling in a medical billing and coding program can help prepare you to pursue this career path and introduce you to medical terminology and alphanumerical codes you’ll use on a daily basis. At DeVry, our online Undergraduate Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding can help you practice assigning the correct codes quickly and accurately while you gain first-hand experience with simulated medical records in a web-based learning platform.

As mentioned, medical billing and coding certifications are also important tools for your career. That’s why it’s a good idea to look for programs that can help you prepare to take industry-recognized certification exams. Coursework in our medical billing and coding certificate programs include preparation for the AHIMA’s Certified Coding Associate (CCA) and Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) certification exams, which may help you as you prepare to take them after graduation.¹

Then, you can start looking for employment opportunities. This may involve updating your resume, connecting with your network of contacts or exploring internships that may help you to gain experience and potentially transition to a full-time position. 

Careers you might consider after completing our Undergraduate Medical Billing and Coding Certificate program include:

Because medical coders play such an important role in today’s complex healthcare system, they may be able to take advantage of several benefits this career path offers, such as:

What’s the outlook for job growth in medical coding? Citing the widespread use of electronic health records (EHRs) combined with an aging population requiring more healthcare services, the BLS projects employment of medical records specialists to maintain steady growth at grow 7% from 2021 to 2031.²  This means that roughly 14,900 new job openings are projected for each year, on average, over this period. It’s important to note that this growth is projected on a national level and that local growth will vary by location. This projection is not specific to DeVry graduates and may include earners at all stages of their careers, not just entry-level.

If you’re eager to play a role in the evolution of today’s modern healthcare system, consider a career as a medical coder. At DeVry,  our Undergraduate Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding helps you gain an understanding of core coding procedures and medical terminology and can support you as you prepare to take industry-recognized certification exams.

With 100% online learning, you can balance your commitment to education with work, family, and more by earning your certificate in a way that works for you. Let’s talk about getting you started in our next session.