Time to Train for a Career in Medical Billing & Coding

Medical Billing and Coding Opportunities

Medical billing and coding is a career that is at once demanding and rewarding. You have to complete specialized training, including medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and learning the codes and coding procedures to properly process patient information. Your work not only means the difference between expedited or delayed insurance payments and reimbursements, but also can directly impact the patient’s care.

As demanding as a medical billing and coding career can be, there are many reasons that it is a worthwhile career to pursue.

High Demand for Trained Professionals

The healthcare industry is one of the most vital parts of the US economy, and it continues to grow as the population ages and technology increases. As a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the surge in healthcare needs as Baby boomers retire and utilize the healthcare system more, the need for skilled medical billing and coding specialist is expected to expand, with job openings increasing at a higher rate than average, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Training May Be Completed Quickly

Training for medical billing and coding requires specialized training in medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology, as well as learning the thousands of codes needed to process paperwork. However, if you have at least a high school diploma or GED, you can complete a course of study in medical billing and coding at Southern California Health Institute (SOCHi) in as little as a year. Follow that up with medical billing certification and you will be ready to compete effectively in the industry’s job market.

Great Flexibility

Once you have completed training as a medical billing and coding, you have the ability to work where you want, when you want. Not only can you work in a variety of professional environments, including hospitals, doctor’s offices, and clinics, but you can also work from home. You may be able to have a lot of flexibility in the hours that you work, with many medical billing and coding professionals working part-time.

Job Security

The field is quite secure, as are most careers in the healthcare industry. Whether the healthcare system is private or public, there will always be a need for skilled billers and coders to handle the paperwork.

Competitive Pay

The average starting pay rate for a professional medical biller and coder is around $10.70 per hour, although in some states, such as New York and California, the rates are typically over $12 per hour. Your experience level and the number of hours you are willing to work also have a great deal of bearing on the amount you can earn.

Healthcare Profession Without Patient Contact

Medical Billing and Coding is a great path into the healthcare industry that allows you to work for patients without working with patients. With patient contact essentially non-existent, billing and coding is a way to have an impact on the healthcare industry without the requirements of training and hours that medical professionals have.

Transferable Skills

The skills that you learn as a medical biller and coder not only prepare you for a successful career, but also give you the skills with documentation processing that can be transferred into other professions. Industries that rely on highly-detailed document processing, such as the insurance industry and banking, may be easier to step into because you have training with codes and paperwork processing that medical billing and coding training requires.

If you want a flexible work schedule, competitive pay, and most of all, a job that is rewarding and truly makes a difference in the lives of thousands of people, then a career in medical billing and coding may be right for you.

You can learn more about the vocational programs SOCHi has to offer, including the medical billing and coding program, by visiting our website and requesting information here.