Are you considering a career change?
Working in the medical billing and coding field is an option worth considering. It offers stable, reliable career opportunities, and it’s relatively easy to break into the field.
This administrative role is very important in keeping medical facilities operating efficiently. You’ll work with patient charts to check for errors and ensure insurance billing happens correctly.
We’ve put together seven great reasons to consider a career in medical billing and coding.
1. Short Training Period
Getting a certificate in medical coding and billing helps you get into an entry-level position. The good news is you can usually earn that certificate in less than a year. Often times it only takes a few months depending on the program.
The shorter learning period saves you money over a program that requires years of schooling and tuition. You can also start your new career faster.
You also have flexibility in how you get your training. Many schools offer in-person opportunities, such as this location in Pittsburgh.
You can also find online programs to qualify you for medical billing and coding careers. These programs are often very flexible, so you can do them while you’re working another job or taking care of your kids.
2. In-Demand Career
The projected growth for the field between 2018 and 2028 is 11%. Compared to the average growth for all jobs, that’s much faster growth.
That means you should have an easier time finding a coding and billing job than you might in more competitive fields. You may have multiple job offers once you start looking.
You also have a good shot at landing a job if your family relocates for any reason. In some fields, moving to a new area can be challenging because jobs are so scarce. With high demand and ample medical facilities in all areas, your chances of finding a job in your new location are higher.
3. Versatile Work Settings
Coding and billing are necessary in all types of medical facilities. That means you’ll find career opportunities in those various settings.
Hospitals and clinics often come to mind for these types of medical careers. Those facilities see lots of patients and have a high need for administrative staff.
But other facilities that provide medical care also hire coding and billing specialists. That includes nursing homes, outpatient surgery centers, and medical labs.
4. Opportunity to Help
If you want to work in the medical field but don’t want to spend years in medical school, this career option may be a good fit.
You still get the chance to work in the medical field and help patients. But you get to take a more behind-the-scenes role. That can be less stressful since you don’t have to work directly with patients.
It’s a good option for people who want to work in the medical field without hands-on work. You might want to help, but you don’t want to see blood, give shots, or deal with bodily fluids.
Working in coding and billing gives you the chance to catch potentially serious mistakes. One minor coding mistake could be life-threatening to patients.
Your position helps your medical facility run more smoothly overall, which helps the patients have a better experience.
5. Potential for Growth
The medical field changes constantly, which keeps your career exciting. The increased use of electronic health records is one example.
This career option lets you continue learning on a regular basis. Entry-level positions typically require basic knowledge, but you’ll go more in-depth the longer you’re in the field.
You can also advance into new positions within the medical administration field. This entry-level position gives you a good look at the administrative side of running medical facilities. That knowledge can help you expand into other administrative roles.
You might advance to a supervising coder with the opportunity to train new coders. You might specialize in a certain type of billing or coding. Auditing and management roles are also possibilities once you have the coding experience.
6. Flexible Working Options
Since medical coding and billing typically takes place on the computer, the field has increased flexibility that can benefit you. Many medical facilities now offer remote opportunities. They can save money on overhead by having fewer workstations in the facility.
You benefit from the flexibility you get from working at home. It saves money on commuting. It can also be a suitable option for parents who want to be home with their kids.
Even if you work a traditional position within the medical facility, you may find you have more flexibility than other jobs. Many facilities offer flexible working hours. That lets you pick something outside the typical first-shift hours if that works better for you.
You may also have your choice of a full-time or part-time position. Working part-time may be a better option for parents.
Along with flexibility, you have stability. Many medical careers require overtime or on-call duties.
Medical billing typically follows a standard work shift without those extra work demands. This lets you work in the medical field while having a better work-life balance. That predictability is important, especially if you have kids.
7. Potential for a Business
If you ever get tired of working for someone else, your experience in medical billing and coding gives you a unique opportunity to start a business.
Freelancing as a medical coding and billing specialist gives you even more freedom than working as an employee. You can decide how much and when you want to work.
It’s a much more affordable way to work for yourself than some other businesses. You really only need a computer and the right type of software to offer your billing and coding services. You don’t need a commercial space, inventory, or fancy equipment.
Medical Billing and Coding Careers
If you’re considering a medical billing and coding career, you’ll be happy to know there are plenty of benefits of this career option. Room for growth and plenty of job opportunities are among the most appealing reasons to consider this career option. Check out more of our money tips for more great advice.
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