Choosing the Best Online Medical Billing and Coding Program for You
Prepare for a career in medical billing and coding. Learn how to choose the best online medical billing and coding program for you with this guide from DeVry.
Medical Billing and Coding
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If you are thinking about a future in medical coding, there are a lot of reasons why it can be a great career choice for you.
A career in medical billing and coding can provide flexibility, depending on your employer, and your skills may be transferable to other healthcare settings, such as hospitals or physicians’ offices, that have similar roles. Whether you are interested in working part-time, full-time or remotely, there may be options you can pursue.
If you’re looking to get started in this field, exploring a medical coding training program is a good first step. It’s also a field where the projected job growth looks promising.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment for medical records specialists to maintain steady growth at 7% from 2021 to 2031. This amounts to a projected 14,900 job openings per year, on average, over this period.1 This growth is projected on a national level and local growth will vary by location. This projection is not specific to DeVry graduates and may include earners at all stages of their careers.
The BLS attributes this projected growth to an aging population that will demand more healthcare services and the widespread use of electronic health records (EHRs) by healthcare providers.
You do not need to memorize tens of thousands of codes, however. Coders typically reference books and software programs to make sure the codes they use are accurate.
If this all seems complex, there’s no reason to worry. When you pursue your Medical Billing and Coding Certificate at DeVry, we will work with you to learn what you need to know so you are prepared to pursue your career. We utilize industry standard coding manuals throughout our courses and exams and provide opportunities to gain experience with the 3M Encoder which you will use throughout your career.
At DeVry, you can complete your medical coding classes and earn your undergraduate certificate in as little as 1 year.2 Also check out the medical billing training courses.
Get up to speed on today’s industry trends, career paths and education options with our latest medical billing and coding articles.
1 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm
2Not including breaks. Assumes year-round, full-time enrollment.