If you are someone who is looking for a great job that you can do from home, you may want to take some online medical coding classes from a company like Coding Clarified. Medical coding is a profession in the medical field where you will transform a doctor's office visit notes into billable medical codes. It may sound easy, but it can actually be challenging due to the almost infinite number of specific medical codes in the ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition) system. For example, perhaps a patient broke their leg and needed an x-ray. There will be a specific code for the exact type of break the person experienced, along with the procedure code for the specific x-ray. Finding these codes can be challenging, and it takes a very detail-oriented person to do it well.
While sometimes difficult, medical coding can be a wonderful career. Medical coders make an average of $44k per year, though you could make more, depending on where you live in the United States. There are several ways to become a medical coder, including but not limited to the following.
Associate's Degree
There are many schools and universities around the nation that offer a two-year medical coding degree. Once you have completed the two-year program, you will take a test to become a certified professional coder. Achieving this accolade will set you apart from your peers when applying for jobs and will likely land you an interview with no problems.
Coding Classes
If you want to become a certified coder and you do not have two years to put into the process, there are online courses that can prepare you for the exam. Self-paced online courses can be completed quickly and will get you on your way to being a coder. When choosing a program, make sure that they are preparing you for a specific exam, and check out their pass/fail rates.
On-the-job Training
Though it can be challenging, some employers choose to train their medical coders in-office. This is quickly becoming an out-fashioned technique, but if you find the right office you could get into a job much faster. Be prepared for a learning curve.
In conclusion, the type of coder you become really depends on your effort and what your employer is looking for. No matter which path you choose for your education, you are sure to find the field an exciting and challenging career choice. Good luck!