Considering making a career switch to medicine, administration, or even data entry? You may want to find out how to become a medical billing and coding specialist, which is a specialty in the health information technology sector. 

So if you wonder whether medical billing and coding is right for you, we’ve got 16 reasons why this allied health career deserves serious attention. 

1. Working in Medical Billing and Coding Is Rewarding

How many people directly help others every single day? One of the greatest benefits of starting a career in the healthcare industry is the sense of satisfaction you’ll have after you finish your shift. 

Medical billing and coding specialists are valuable members of any healthcare team. Their work is vital to keeping costs down, reducing medical mistakes, and generally ensuring that patients’ medical histories are organized and correctly recorded. Additionally, the field of medical billing and coding offers just the right blend of work-life balance and flexibility. 

2. Medical Billing and Coding Is a Fast-Paced Industry

Within the wider healthcare industry, changes in medical billing and coding have taken place during the years. This is mostly due to the introduction of electronic health records (EHRs) and other modern technologies related to medical billing and coding software.

Not only does this improve the way patient medical records are shared and used, but it also cuts down costs and reduces common mistakes. Medical billing and coding specialists stay at the core of all vital reforms thanks to their ability to work in a fast-paced environment that requires ongoing learning and adaptability.

3. Medical Billers and Coders Don’t Need to Go to Medical School

A career in medical billing and coding is ideal for people dreaming of working in healthcare settings without spending years in higher education. Medical billers and coders can start their careers only after a few months of training!

What’s more, the average cost of medical billing and coding programs is significantly lower compared to that of medical schools. You will be able to jump-start your career without having to repay any loans or grants. This is making the field ideal for people considering a midlife career change who also need to support their families financially in the meantime. 

4. Catching Medical Coding Errors Can Save Lives

When you think about life-saving healthcare occupations, you normally won’t include clerical specialists in the count. However, there’s so much that these employees do to save human lives. 

For instance, medical coding errors can be fatal when an incorrect code leads to the wrong treatment. Similarly, common billing errors can lead to failure to verify insurance covers, which can also cause a lot of harm and crucial delays by itself. 

Ensuring that data is prompt and accurate is a core part of the behind-the-scenes work that keeps hospitals and clinics running and thriving. So by becoming a medical billing and coding specialist, you will be saving lives, too.

5. Medical Billers and Coders Can Work in Many Places

When people think about changing careers, they’re often concerned about whether they will be able to find employment.  

As a medical biller or coder, you’ll have the chance to work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, administrative support centers, and even medical laboratories. With such a wide variety of organizations requiring such experts, you can look forward to a dynamic job market with plenty of opportunities.

6. Medical Billers and Coders Work With Awesome People

Although medical billing and coding experts face some challenges along the way, their occupation can be satisfying in many ways. The dynamic atmosphere and team diversity at work contribute to this.

There are some great medical comedies like “Scrubs” that show healthcare workers from a different angle. Although medicine is a very serious business, you’ll probably be surrounded by a fun bunch of colleagues who have a quirky (sometimes dark) sense of humor.

7. You Can Start a Career in Medical Billing and Coding in a Few Months

Some recent graduates or people considering a midlife career change might not have four years to dedicate to obtaining a medical degree. In fact, most medical billing and coding programs take less than 1 year to complete.

Once you take exams offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) or the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), you’ll be certified and ready to work in a wide range of healthcare settings.

To get your career started today, schedule an appointment!

8. Medical Billers and Coders Dress Comfortably at Work

People who enjoy wearing expensive suits, ties, heels, and other formal garments every day are generally few and far between. Those clothes are uncomfortable and not ideal for the summer months. Working in healthcare is a great alternative if you favor simplicity.

Some medical billing and coding specialists are even required to wear scrubs to their hospital or lab. They’re designed for comfort, but you can still look fab in scrubs by making a little extra effort.

9. Medical Coding and Billing Jobs Are Plentiful

After dedicating time and money to your medical billing and coding training and certification, you will be looking to secure an entry-level position easily. We have some great news for you. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that demand for medical billing and coding specialists to rise by 8% from 2019 to 2029 – which is much faster than average. That translates into a lot of new job openings for medical billing and coding specialists in the US. What’s more, administrative jobs in healthcare are among the allied health jobs in high demand. 

10. Medical Billers and Coders Help Patients Remotely

Okay, let’s face it: Dealing with customers (or patients) isn’t always the most enjoyable part of any job. If you’re the kind of person who would love to help people – without working directly with them – then medical billing and coding will be great for you.

Employees in this healthcare sector generally work behind the scenes by handling patient records and ensuring that treatment and medical codes are entered properly. Introverts are welcome in most of these positions, and will be happy to learn that many teams hire remote workers too!

11. Find Many Medical Billing and Coding Jobs From Home

Wonder whether medical billing and coding is hard? Well, you might have tough days, but life is a lot easier when you can do it in your favorite pair of sweatpants. 

Since most of the work is done on the computer, some employers offer the option to work remotely. So whether you’re a young professional who’d like to skip commuting – or a busy parent who’d love to spend more time at home with your kids – the flexibility of the job is a great advantage.

12. Medical Billing and Coding Shifts Are Flexible

Are you a night owl or a morning person? Are you the kind of person who likes to work whenever you’re able to?

Many institutions – like hospitals –  offering medical coding and billing jobs operate 24/7, so there’s always a demand for a variety of schedules. If you’re not the 9-5 kind of person, you can probably switch to a 2nd or rotating shift instead.

13. You Can Get a Travelling Job as a Medical Biller and Coder

Maybe you’ve dreamed of sunny weather all year round. Good news: Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Dallas are the cities with the highest employment level for medical billers and coders in the US. 

If your significant other has accepted a job across the country, you can find work in just about every town and city in the US. Perhaps, this could be the opportunity of a lifetime so take advantage of it!

14. You Can Say You’re a “Coder”

Even though being a medical billing and coding professional is quite different from being a software developer, technically, you wouldn’t be wrong to say you’re a “coder“.

Software developers use coding languages to write software. And while this coding is all about determining and inputting the correct codes for medical conditions, it’s pretty easy to make your job title sound awesome.

15. There Is Upward Mobility in Medical Billing and Coding

Nobody likes getting stuck in a position without having any chance for growth. You’ll start to feel frustrated, unmotivated, and eventually end up looking for new opportunities elsewhere. Getting certified and working as a medical billing or coding expert puts you right in the middle of the entire medical administration field. 

You’ll be able to build your skillset and potentially move up the ladder to becoming a healthcare administrator or pursuing roles in the management of medical facilities.

16. Earn a Great Medical Billing and Coding Salary

And if you still wonder whether medical billing and coding is right for you, keep in mind that it was reported as one of the 14 top-paying allied health careers in the US.

As of 2019, the average US medical billing and coding salary was above $40,000 per year. This is actually higher than the average American income across all occupations. These numbers can fluctuate, depending on the location, type of employer, and the amount of experience you already have. 

For example, you’ll find the best average wages at scientific and technical companies. Living in the Garden State? Then you’ll be happy to learn that the highest-paying state for medical billing and coding is New Jersey, where these allied health professionals can pull in an average of $55,150 each year!

Learn How to Become a Medical Biller and Coder

It’s never too late to make the right career move. We believe pursuing training in medical billing and coding is among the very best options for anyone looking for an administrative occupation in the field of healthcare.