1. What is Medical Coding?
Let me start with the core responsibilities of a Medical Coder (be it India or elsewhere). These core responsibilities would help us understand how well one can fit into the role per se. How a medical procedure is coded determines the financial reimbursement for that particular procedure, and accuracy in coding also ensures quality data for future sound medical decisions. It affects everything in a healthcare organization.
Patients receive medical care or services. And it the responsibility of the Medical Coder to convert or translate the services received into a bunch of codes which will later help in billing, administration, fraud detection and investigation, recovery etc.. This line of work mandates experience in ICD 9 and 10 codes, CPT codes and HCPCS codes. Certifications add to ones' experience as well knowledge.
2. How are the prospects?
Now, coming to your core question : Yes, the prospects look good.
Primary reasons:
3. What is the career path?
If you are currently employed as a Medical Coder, it would perhaps make sense to gain considerable work and domain related experience first i.e. at least 1-2 years of experience. This experience coupled with the right certification (refer point #4 below) should give you a head-start on your career progression.
The US healthcare industry is in the middle of a shift from ICD9 to ICD10 and having experience in the latter is a valuable asset right now and for the next couple of years.
With increase in your expertise and experience, you can expect your pay-scale to go up (either in the same company or when you switch jobs). Down the line, from what I have researched, you can get into Medical office Management or Medical office Operations.
4. How to prepare to succeed?
Let me start with the core responsibilities of a Medical Coder (be it India or elsewhere). These core responsibilities would help us understand how well one can fit into the role per se. How a medical procedure is coded determines the financial reimbursement for that particular procedure, and accuracy in coding also ensures quality data for future sound medical decisions. It affects everything in a healthcare organization.
Patients receive medical care or services. And it the responsibility of the Medical Coder to convert or translate the services received into a bunch of codes which will later help in billing, administration, fraud detection and investigation, recovery etc.. This line of work mandates experience in ICD 9 and 10 codes, CPT codes and HCPCS codes. Certifications add to ones' experience as well knowledge.
2. How are the prospects?
Now, coming to your core question : Yes, the prospects look good.
Primary reasons:
- The level of coding work outsourced to India
- Existing medical coding jobs in India (non-outsourced i.e.)
- The growing Healthcare sector in India
3. What is the career path?
If you are currently employed as a Medical Coder, it would perhaps make sense to gain considerable work and domain related experience first i.e. at least 1-2 years of experience. This experience coupled with the right certification (refer point #4 below) should give you a head-start on your career progression.
The US healthcare industry is in the middle of a shift from ICD9 to ICD10 and having experience in the latter is a valuable asset right now and for the next couple of years.
With increase in your expertise and experience, you can expect your pay-scale to go up (either in the same company or when you switch jobs). Down the line, from what I have researched, you can get into Medical office Management or Medical office Operations.
4. How to prepare to succeed?
- Well you can start by gaining as much Coder work experience as possible
- Get comfortable with and then gain expertise on CPT codes, the ICD 9 and 10 coding system, Medical Charts
- Once you feel you are comfortable with the coding terminology, research and choose an appropriate certification:
- CCA aka Certified Coding Associate (offered by AHIMA i.e. American Health Information Management Association)
- CPC aka Certified Professional Coder (offered by AAPC i.e. American Academy of Professional Coders)
- Other certifications (COC aka Certified Outpatient Coding, CIC aka Certified Inpatient Coder, CRC aka Certified Risk Adjustment Coder, CPC - P aka Certified Professional Coder - Payer)
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