7 Reasons to Pursue Medical Billing and Coding as a Career
Medical billing and coding are some of the parts of the health industry that are rarely discussed by laypeople. Only when you’re a part of the field do you really give it thought. However, one thing to note is that medical billing and coding is a career unto itself, with professionals that take classes and learn the skills simply to choose that as their path. Why is this? Why is medical billing and coding a career choice for so many people? More importantly, why is it that you, too, could and should pursue such a specific career in the medical industry? Find out below!
It’s In High Demand
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has made estimates that between 2019 and 2029, medical billing and coding professionals will see jobs in their field increase by 8 percent which is already double the average for all jobs across the board, estimated to grow at a rate of 4 percent in that 10-year span.
More than that, consider that with the onset of the deadliest disease outbreak of the past 100 years (COVID-19), medical professions have already seen an exponential increase in demand. Because of this, people who are able to take quick action to be a part of the industry are in a better place for career opportunities such as medical billing and coding professionals, who don’t require years of training to be of value to the healthcare system.
Short Training Regimen
In the medical field, it’s common to think of your possibilities as being held back by years of training: for a doctor, that may be true. For nurses, also true. You need to undergo schooling that takes a lot of time away from the actual career move you want to make if you go for either of those, and sometimes the same is true of other professions. However, as a medical billing and coding professional, your training would be incredibly short. In fact, many people finish their education not within four years of college, or even two years but instead, they’re able to complete the whole of their education in the space of 11 months! Still, between a year or two is par for the course, and many professionals consider this a great leg up on those who need four years or more to get into their chosen profession.
No Degree Necessary
College isn’t everyone’s favorite place to be, and you may not be thrilled by the idea of having to attend a full-time, four-year school environment yet again in order to make a career move. Worry not! Medical billing and coding are skills that are taught in highly specific courses, and there is no traditional bachelor’s degree necessary in order to get certified as a medical coder. You can take on a program that’s designed specifically for this field, like those at Ultimate Medical Academy, to begin taking medical billing and coding courses and prepare yourself for the one exam (the CPC) that you’ll need to pass before starting your new career.
Part of the Healing Process
As a professional in the healthcare industry, even medical coding and billing is a crucial part of the process in giving people a path to better health. It’s hard to think of these roles when you look at nurses and doctors on the frontline, but your job is just as important because without the focus on clarity and conciseness in medical communications, there are numerous mistakes and issues that could arise, from the actual medical care that a patient receives to the way that their information gets safely transferred to insurance firms.
Being Independent
Your work as a medical billing and coding professional exists within one specific bubble: in other words, you’ll work independently for a great deal of the time. You’re meant to be autonomous, and with that comes some perks like the potential for hours that fit your lifestyle, and possibly even working from home. If the freedoms of an independent work style sound like your bread and butter, then medical coding outsourcing services may be exactly what you’re looking for!
Not Just A Gig
Even if you’re looking for a little independence, you might still be looking for a job that offers stability and of course, stability is not something that comes with the ever-growing gig economy. Thankfully, for those who want to build a career as a coder, there are full-time jobs available. In fact, as we discussed earlier, these career opportunities have been growing at a great rate over the years, and you’ll find that these can even offer full-time benefits something that’s very sought-after.
Learn Something Useful
You will take some time to learn about the human body, about the terminology used in the medical field, and even the codes that communicate sensitive, specific information throughout the industry. By becoming a medical billing and coding professional, this knowledge becomes a part of you, a part of your experience. And it’s not only fun knowing about medical terms and the like, but in the case where you have to rattle off specifics (say, in an emergency), your familiarity can mean the difference between a medical mystery and a real-time solution.
Conclusion
If you’re looking seriously at joining a healthcare profession, you’ve got a few reasons to take a closer look at medical billing and coding, especially. If, however, you’re still undecided, just remember — the whole of this industry is a diverse one, and there’s a profession that can suit just about anyone; office jobs like professional coding, or first responder jobs like nursing, and everything in between, is available to you if you are looking for a medical career!
