How to Become a Medical Coder
Medical coding is a great way to get started in the healthcare industry. As a medical coder, you will work with doctors and other medical professionals to ensure that patients are properly treated and billed. This position can be found in hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities.
To become a medical coder, you will need to earn a bachelor’s degree in health information management. Most programs require students to have at least one year of experience as an assistant in a healthcare setting before they can enroll.
Coding involves looking up information about patients’ treatments and procedures in order to find codes that match them so they can be billed accordingly. The codes are then entered into computers so they can be submitted electronically for payment. This process is known as abstracting and indexing (A&I).
Coding requires attention to detail because incorrect coding could result in incorrect reimbursements for patients or providers. When coding correctly, you’ll help ensure that the hospital receives payments for services rendered to patients who qualify for them by using correct codes on claims forms sent out by hospitals or physicians’ offices.
How To Become Medical Coder
Medical coders perform some of the most critical behind-the-scenes work of medical facilities. They ensure that patient data is accurately logged in electronic health records (EHRs). Medical coding requires a detail-oriented approach and a specialized technical skillset. It is an ideal profession for those who want to work in non-patient-facing positions within the healthcare industry.
A rapid increase in the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) means that medical coding is a career that’s projected to grow faster than the average occupation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2021). Between 2020 and 2030, there is expected to be a 9 percent rise in openings nationally, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations during the same timeframe (8 percent).
Even though medical coders can get started in their careers with as little as one year of postsecondary education, it is not a job that everyone can do. Medical coders need to be fluent in coding systems like the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and the associated Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).
Even after their preliminary education is complete, medical coders are presented with a series of professional credential opportunities that can distinguish a coder from the pack and kickstart their career. The numerous continuing education requirements for recertification of those credentials means that the journey is a winding one, and never complete.
Beyond certification credentials, medical coders must possess a full range of professional skills to do their jobs well. Not only do medical coders need to be analytical and detail-oriented, but they must also be able to discuss patient medical data accurately with physicians and hospital administration teams. And while state licensure is not typically required, specialized medical coders working in oncology may be required to earn a Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) credential to work in the cancer registry field.
Read on to learn the step-by-step process of becoming a medical coder.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO BECOMING A MEDICAL CODER
STEP ONE: POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION (ONE TO FOUR YEARS)
After graduating from high school, aspiring medical coders have three main options for their undergraduate education: a certificate program, an associate’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree.
A certificate program is the quickest route to working in the field, as most take less than a year to complete. These are focused programs of study that cover the basics of disease processes, treatment procedures, terminology, body systems, and basic coding in ICD-10. Students will also gain proficiency in medical office software, billing procedures, and regulatory compliance. The curriculum of these programs is designed to prepare students for immediate employment and to take official credentialing exams.
An associate’s degree in an area like healthcare administration or health information management provides a reliable and adaptable option for aspiring medical coders. In addition to the medical coding basics covered in a certificate program, students receive a well-rounded liberal arts education that improves their writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills.
While an associate’s degree takes longer than a certificate to complete (about two years), employers may be keener to hire applicants with official degrees on their resumes. An associate’s degree can also easily be transferred towards a bachelor’s degree program, should graduates decide to pursue further education in the field of healthcare.
A bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration or health information management is a longer but more complete path to working in medical coding. In addition to the foundational understanding of medical coding found in certificate programs and on top of the soft skills learned in the associate’s degree, the bachelor’s degree offers exposure to the broader and more nuanced concepts in healthcare management. Graduates learn about human resources, health policy, legislative compliance, data analytics, and project management. Although most bachelor’s degrees take four years to complete, medical coders who choose this route are not only at the top of the hiring list for employers; they are also more likely to take on leadership roles and earn higher salaries.
No matter which pathway one takes to gain their prerequisite education in medical coding, it is essential that the educational institution is accredited. Program-specific accreditation is available through the American Health Informatics Management Association (AHIMA), the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), and the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC).
Featured Programs for Medical Coders
Keiser University offers an online bachelor of science degree in health information management (HIM) providing students with the skills and knowledge of administrative, medical, ethical, and legal standards and requirements related to the privacy of protected patient information and healthcare delivery. Graduates of this program will be eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Made up of 120 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to health information management; health data concepts & standards; medical terminology; pathophysiology for HIM; pharmacology for HIM; ICD-10-CM/PCS coding; health insurance and reimbursement; alternative health record systems; and database management systems.
Graduates will be prepared to take up work in a variety of settings throughout the healthcare industry including group medical practices, hospitals, nursing homes, insurance companies, clinics, home care providers, and government agencies.
Keiser University also offers a 60 credit associate of science degree in medical administrative billing & coding preparing students to assign proper medical codes for diagnostic procedures and other services offered by healthcare practitioners.
- Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Expected Time to Completion: 39 months
- Estimated Tuition: $20,800
Hutchinson Community College offers both a certificate as well as an associate in an applied science degree program in health information management with an emphasis in cancer registry management. The program provides students with the clinical experience and instruction that will help them in developing the necessary technical skills needed to become a Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR). Tumor registrars are responsible for the coordination, preparation, maintenance, and security of health records in several healthcare settings.
The certificate comprises 38 credits, while the AAS degree program consists of 63 credits. The curriculum explores topics such as pharmacology; human anatomy and physiology; health information processes; medical terminology; legal and ethical issues in healthcare; pathophysiology; cancer registry structure and management; cancer registry operations; oncology treatment and coding; and cancer disease, coding, and staging.
- Location: Hutchinson, KS
- Accreditation: Commission on the Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM); Higher Learning Commission (HLC); National Cancer Registrars Association
- Expected Time to Completion: AAS (24 months); certificate (less than a year)
- Estimated Tuition: In-state ($118 per credit); out-of-state ($149 per credit)
STEP TWO: EARN PRELIMINARY CREDENTIALING (SIX MONTHS)
Almost all education programs for medical coders prepare graduates for basic credentialing exams, two of which students can take right away. Both are offered through AHIMA.
The first option is to obtain a Certified Coding Associate (CCA) credential, which is a nationally-recognized standard of achievement in health information management. AHIMA recommends six months of work experience before taking this exam but does not require applicants to have any if they have completed an AHIMA-approved or otherwise comprehensive medical coding education program.
The credentialing exam consists of 90 to 115 multiple choice questions that test for fundamental competency, commitment, and capability across both hospital and physician-based practices. The application fee is $199 for AHIMA members and $299 for non-members. The CCA credential can distinguish a medical coder and help them secure better job prospects and the higher salaries that go with them.
The second option is to earn the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential. While this certification also does not require work experience, it does call for at least an associate-level education in health information management from a CAHIIM-accredited program.
The 3.5-hour credentialing exam consists of 130-160 multiple choice questions that measure competency in ensuring the quality of medical records, using computer applications to assemble and analyze patient data, and specializing in coding diagnoses and procedures in patient records for reimbursement and research. It costs $229 for AHIMA members and $299 for non-members. Like the CCA, achieving the RHIT credential can improve job placement and salary earnings.
STEP THREE: GET WORK EXPERIENCE (ONE TO TWO YEARS)
Once new medical coders have earned their certificate or degree, it is time to step into the office and get to work. Professionals should utilize the resources available to them at their school and within their peer network to find employment. Joining a professional association such as AHIMA or the AAPC can unlock employment opportunities and career preparation materials.
Furthermore, gaining work experience helps young professionals determine their work setting preferences—in a hospital or a physician practice environment—which will, in turn, help them select possible further professional credentials.
STEP FOUR: EARN ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALS (ONE TO TWO YEARS)
After a medical coder has gained some work experience, further professional credentials from AHIMA become available such as the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) or the Certified Coding Specialist Physician-Based (CCS-P) certifications.
The CCS credential is for coders who are skilled in classifying patients’ medical data, primarily in a hospital setting. It not only tests for knowledge in terminology, disease processes, and pharmacology, but also expertise in ICD-10-CM and CPT/HCPCS coding systems.
The CCS-P credential denotes a medical coder specializing in physician-based settings. The CCS-P exam tests for competency in ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, and CPT coding systems – testing for mastery-level understanding rather than entry-level skills.
For both credentials, the corresponding exam consists of 115-140 (for CCS) and 97 to 121 (CCS-P) multiple-choice questions, as well as eight medical scenarios that require candidates to pick from a range of medical codes. Both exams require either two years of work experience or one year of work experience plus a secondary credential. However, work experience requirement exceptions exist for candidates who already hold an RHIT credential. Each exam has an application fee of $299 for AHIMA members and $399 for non-members.
STEP FIVE: PURSUE CONTINUING EDUCATION (ONGOING)
The credentials earned in steps two and four are not eternally valid. To maintain a standard of excellence, AHIMA requires medical coders to recertify every two years. Those holding a CCA, CCS, or CCS-P have to complete 20 continuing education units (CEUs) and two annual coding self-reviews (which count as five CEUs each) throughout each recertification cycle.
Medical coders with an RHIT credential only have to take 20 CEUs. And those with two AHIMA credentials must complete 30 CEUs every two years. Continuing education activities can come in the form of AHIMA meetings, formal educational programs, teleseminars, delivered presentations, published academic work, independent study, and more. A full list is available in AHIMA’s recertification guide.
