If you are looking to launch a new career there is no better field than healthcare. The healthcare industry is not only necessary in our society, it is a field that offers opportunities for unlimited growth.
Medical coding and billing is a way to enter the healthcare industry quickly, with a relatively low educational barrier to entry. You can start your career without needing to attend school for years and years, and without accruing the related tuition debt that goes with that. Here are 10 more reasons to start a medical billing and coding career today.
1. Earn a Good Salary
Medical coders and billers earn a good salary. The median national salary for a billing & coding job is $44,090. Earning additional certifications and gathering more experience will increase your earning potential: coders with more experience and higher levels of certification can earn an average salary of $70,608; some earn over six figures.
2. Start Your Career Quickly
You can begin a career in medical billing & coding in as little as four weeks when you enroll in an online accelerated certification course. Options also exist for in-person learning and extended learning times, if that is a better fit for your learning style.
3. Keep Steady Hours
While many healthcare workers have unpredictable hours, including weekends and holidays, medical billing & coding is a job that offers predictable business hours. Enjoying the stability of knowing your schedule is set, and that you will not work on holidays or weekends, is a luxury in the medical field.
4. Medical Coding & Billing Is in High Demand
Medical coding and billing specialists are in high demand today, and the field is expected to grow 9% annually through 2030. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates that 34,300 openings for medical & billing jobs will be created within the next 8 years. This creates not only entry-level opportunities but room for advancement and career growth as well.
5. Enjoy Job Stability
This field will only become more important as the population ages. Along with an increased demand for billing and coding specialists, the importance of this role in the medical field means that your job is secure, even during economic downturns and tough times.
6. Work Where You Want To
While medical billers and coders often work in hospitals, doctors' offices, and insurance agencies, plenty of job opportunities exist in other settings, including government agencies, software developers, and educational institutions. There are even work-from-home options. This flexibility can provide options to suit your preferred situation, even if your preference changes, throughout your career.
7. Enjoying a Rewarding Career That You Can Be Proud Of
Medical billing & coding can be a very rewarding career. You will be responsible for ensuring that doctors are appropriately compensated while also helping people to get the most benefits that they can from their insurance policies. This important role is one that you can be proud of, as you will be providing a vital service that keeps our entire healthcare system working.
If you are looking for a satisfying, well-paid career consider becoming a medical coding and billing specialist.