If you’ve ever attended an appointment with a physician or have gone to the hospital, chances are you’ve come into contact, either directly or indirectly, with a medical biller and coder. A medical biller and coder is a type of specialist who translates medical records into code for billing purposes. These specialists have earned a professional certificate to practice in the industry.

Like many prospective medical coders, you may be wondering: “What can you do with a medical billing and coding certificate?” Fortunately, the future is bright for medical billing and coding careers—nationwide and in Connecticut.

Medical coders in Connecticut, for instance, earn an average of $62,154 annually, with significant employer markets in Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, and Stamford.

Perhaps you’re a prospective medical coder hoping to work from home. If so, it’s critical to know that 80% of medical billers and coders in Connecticut work remotely, making an average of $65,347 annually.

Read on to learn more about a promising occupation as a certified medical biller and coder and even a couple of unexpected opportunities you can find in the field.

A Coveted Certificate and Career

Between the expansion of the medical industry, the escalation in healthcare needs for the aging Baby Boomer generation, and the stress on the system from the COVID-19 pandemic, educated medical industry professionals are increasingly in-demand.

Also known as medical records and health information specialists, medical billers and coders manage, organize, and maintain confidential patient records. Coding professionals use universal classification systems and specialty software to categorize and clinically code information data for insurance reimbursement, databases, registries, and patient treatment records.

From Education to Employment

Medical billing and coding certificate programs prepare prospective medical billers and coders with a comprehensive curriculum — including courses in medical law and ethics, terminology, office management, and more.

Flexible program formats, like the convenient medical billing and coding program offered at Goodwin University, enables learners to complete their classes entirely online — so students can study around their busy schedules.

Now, what can you expect to do with a medical billing and coding certificate? Upon graduating from a certificate program, future coding professionals will be proficient in several areas, including:

• Accurately recording coinsurance, copayments, deductibles, and risk withholds
• Analyzing medical reports to identify proper diagnoses and procedures
• Knowledge of HIPPA regulations and patient confidentiality, and
• Processing medical insurance claims

Recent coding graduates will also qualify to take the Certified Professional Coding (CPC) exam administered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for certified medical billers and coders is projected to grow nine percent from 2020 to 2030, with 34,300 new job openings estimated yearly — but the professional possibilities don’t stop there!

Advanced career options are abundant in medical billing and coding, and certificate holders have various opportunities, such as roles in education and auditing. Medical billing and coding graduates often find remote, on-ground, and hybrid job options working in:

• Billing companies
• Consulting firms
• Hospitals/clinics
• Insurance companies
• Large medical groups
• Resident care
• Software companies
• State and federal government agencies
• Educational institutions

A Medical Coding Career in Education

A medical billing and coding educator teaches the basics of the industry to future specialists. Medical billing and coding instructors develop the course curriculum, prepare lesson plans, remain current on trends and practices, and create essential training material like handbooks and study guides to ensure their learners succeed.

Medical billing and coding instructors must have at least five years of experience in the course they’d like to teach. Instructors must also be American Academy of Professional Coders members who have completed the advanced credential AAPC- Approved Instructor course.

After obtaining AAPC instructor certification, graduates can initiate their own program or teach in hospitals, physician offices, schools, and more.

As detailed in the American Academy of Professional Coder’s 2022 Salary Report, the average salary for Certified Professional Coder Instructors (CPC-I) is $74,822.

A Career as a Medical Billing and Coding Auditor

A coding auditor oversees all coding operations, ensures data is accurately transcribed, and supports less experienced coders with performance feedback, providing techniques and tips of the professional trade. If consistent coding mistakes are made, a coding auditor records the reoccurrences and reports them to management.

In a crucial position in compliance, a successful medical auditor averts liability, secures reimbursement for care, and improves the overall revenue cycle for a physician’s practice.

Certified Professional Medical Auditors (CPMAs®) have completed and passed the required medical auditing exam, and they demonstrate expertise in the following areas:

• Governmental guidelines regarding coding penalties and violations
• Medical abuse, documentation, and fraud
• Quality assurance and risk analysis, and
• Sampling methodologies

With such collective capabilities, medical auditors are well compensated — reportedly earning $70,320 a year on average, as affirmed by AAPC.

Professionals with their CPMA® in Connecticut have an even greater return on their credential investment, making an average annual income of $75,800.

Are you interested in earning a medical billing and coding certificate?

If you are meticulously attentive to details, well organized, and comfortable using computer technology, a medical billing and coding career could be an excellent fit for you!

Click here to learn more about a medical coding credential and career!