As the demand for medical coders grows throughout the health care system, online medical coding schools are becoming increasingly popular as well.
Medical coders, also called health information coders, medical record coders, coder/abstractors, or coding specialists, apply special codes to medical procedures and services, which are then sent to insurance companies for payment. If you’d like to work in the medical profession and you’re great with details but don’t crave patient contact, a career in medical coding may be right for you.
Most medical coders enter the profession with a certificate or associate’s degree, and employers generally prefer certification as well; if you’d love to get started in medical coding but can’t go to school full-time, you might want to consider an online program.
Read on to find out more about online medical coding schools and how you can start your medical coding career today.
What types of programs are available at online medical coding schools?
Online medical coding schools offer programs at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels; many also offer certificate programs as well.
Entry-level positions in medical coding usually require a certificate or associate’s degree, but those with a bachelor’s or master’s degree can drastically increase their job prospects, responsibilities, and salaries. For example, a master’s degree in health information management can lead to other careers such as compliance officer, public information officer, or college instructor.
In addition to formal education, employers also tend to prefer medical coders who are certified by organizations like the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or the American Academy of Professional Coders; there are various certification levels, and requirements differ for each.
Note that all certifications, though, require continuing education to ensure that medical coders keep up to date with current coding information.
What are programs at online medical coding schools like?
Online medical coding schools teach students medical coding, medical terminology, and even health care law, particularly privacy aspects; a good medical coding program will include instruction in the following subjects:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Coding and Abstraction of Data
- CPT Surgical Coding
- CPT Non-Surgical Coding
- Ethics
- Health Data Standards
- Insurance Abuse, Compliance, and Fraud
- ICD-9 Coding
- Legal Aspects of Health Information
- Medical Terminology
- Pathology Coding
- Pharmacology
- Radiology Coding
Keep in mind that if you are considering eventually running your own medical coding business, you might want to think about taking medical transcription and business courses as well.
Many online medical coding schools also help students arrange internships, which can be invaluable for getting a foot in the door for many medical coding positions; employers often want to hire medical coders with experience, so try to gain some even while you’re still in school to help build up your resume as well as your contacts.
What do medical coders do?
Medical coders work in various settings including hospitals, doctor’s officers, insurance companies, and law firms, coding medical services and procedures so bills can be sent to private and public insurance companies for payment; coding systems vary by industry, and medical coders often choose to specialize at some point in their careers.
Many medical coders also work from home, although not all employers allow this. Some medical coders even start their own businesses, taking on clients just as any freelance consultant would.
Additionally, medical coders may use their expertise to advise in insurance fraud claims.
There is much for advancement in medical coding careers, both through moving up to management and also through specialization; courses at online medical coding schools can help in both instances.
What qualities should medical coders have?
Medical coders should be detail-oriented, reliable, organized, and enjoy working with numbers. Additionally, particularly for medical coders who work from home, a strong sense of self-motivation is helpful.
A firm understanding of medical terms and procedures, anatomy and physiology, and database management is essential.
What is the salary and job outlook for medical coders?
According to a 2005 survey by the American Academy of Professional Coders, certified medical coders earn approximately $39,000 a year, although salaries vary greatly by education and experience. For example, those with master’s degrees averaged $58,000 per year.
Through 2016, job growth for medical coders and other health information technicians is expected to grow “faster than average” according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Especially hot areas for medical coders will be in large group physicians’ offices, home health care services, outpatient care centers, and nursing and residential care facilities. Cancer registrars are also expected to experience job growth.
As those with higher education will have the best job opportunities in medical coding, be sure to check out online medical coding schools as you get started.