Medical Billing and Coding: Starting Your Career

What is medical billing and coding?

Want to quickly start a career in the rapidly growing healthcare industry? You may want to consider medical billing and coding. Medical coders (also known as health information technicians) specialize in codifying patients' medical information for reimbursement purposes. For example, when you go to a hospital to get surgery, a medical coder is the person who works with your health insurance company to provide payment for the hospital’s surgical services.

Where do medical coders work?

While many medical coders work in hospitals, there are a number of other healthcare provider options for employment such as physician offices, nursing care facilities, outpatient care centers, and home healthcare services. Federal Government agencies also have a need for hiring employees to work in medical billing and coding.

Is medical billing and coding right for me?

Medical billing and coding is a good career option for those who:

• Want to work within the healthcare industry, but do not wish to
  provide hands-on care for patients.


• Possess good oral and written communication skills.


• Enjoy working with computers and are quick to learn new computer software


• Like learning, as continuing education is important in the occupation.

Medical Billing and Coding Education and Career Prep

Most medical coders hold an associate’s degree in medical billing and coding. Associate’s degree programs in medical billing and coding typically take two years to complete. Required course work typically entails medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, health data requirements and standards, clinical classification and coding systems, data analysis, healthcare reimbursement methods, database security and management, and quality improvement methods.

In addition to an associate’s degree, many medical coders will also work to obtain certification from Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT), The Board of Medical Specialty Coding (BMSC) or The Professional Association of Health Care Coding Specialists (PAHCS).

Medical coders assign a code to each diagnosis and procedure by using classification systems software. The classification system determines the amount for which healthcare providers will be reimbursed if the patient is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or other insurance programs using the system. Coders may use several coding systems, such as those required for ambulatory settings, physician offices, or long-term care.