Medical Coding as a Career
For those who are looking for a new career where they can help people, provide valuable support services, and get paid well, the health care industry is a great choice. Over 7 million people (1 out of 8) now work in the healthcare field in the U.S. and over $500 billion dollars is now spent on healthcare. Coding is a very interesting job and is well paid. Because of massive coding protocol changes, the need for coders has significantly increased.
What is Medical Coding?
Coding was devised to help standardize billing to insurance companies as well as to provide more information about diagnoses, treatments and the epidemiology of disease. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) currently the 10th revision, reports various diagnoses, coding what is wrong with a patient and the CPT codes (Current Procedural Terminology) tell what the provider did to analyze and establish a treatment protocol.
Medical coders work wherever health care is rendered. Experienced coders have the ability to work at home as a business enterprise or as a contract worker. Coding is detail-oriented work requiring a good knowledge of medical terminology. The coder must carefully review patients’ charts to determine the correct code for the diagnosis and then itemize the service codes as well as keep up to date on annual coding changes.
Where to learn to code:
Med-Certification.com provides a unique Complete Coding Program which includes medical terminology, coding theory and a 600 patient chart practicum where all of standard codes used are taught, ICD (diagnoses), CPT (service/procedure) and HCPC (governmental additions). This easy to follow and learn training – all done at home – is equivalent to 6 months on the job experience and is a great alternative to the two year programs in the vocational or college training.
With our eLearning System, learn to code anytime, anywhere, faster and far less expensive than traditional schools.
Average Income for Coders
Averages are $40,000 plus with experienced coders $60,000 or more plus annually.
Coding Certification
Certification Testing is done by various organizations, including Med-Certification.Com
Older workers are choosing coding as a great career alternative. Here’s an example:
I have wonderful news! Not only did I pass the CPC exam the first time around but I just received notice that I was accepted at The VA Medical Center here in Asheville, NC as an Outpatient Coder with a pay scale that doubles my current pay. Your course was instrumental in my success and gave me the tools to succeed. Thank you so much for all your support. I would recommend your program to anyone, and I already have. I never dreamed at the age of 53 that I would get this far and in such a short period of time, but I did and I owe it to ordering your courses, I looked at many different courses online and yours struck me as the best. Well… I am living proof it works! This job will change my life and that of my family. THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES OVER!
Sincerely,
Gwenn A
Here is what the course includes: Syllabus.