Medical Billing and Coding Careers

Medical billing and coding can be a rewarding career, thanks to the role it plays in supporting healthcare operations.

Here are 7 reasons to pursue a medical billing and coding career path.

Medical billing and coding professionals can find opportunities in a wide range of healthcare environments, from large hospitals and specialty clinics to private medical practices, outpatient clinics, and even insurance companies. This flexibility allows you to choose a workplace that fits your interests, pace, and schedule, whether you thrive in a fast-moving hospital setting or a smaller, more personal medical office.

As you gain experience in medical billing and coding, you may discover an interest in stepping into leadership roles or pursuing related fields in healthcare administration or health information management. Industry certifications can open new doors and help you stand out as a candidate for certain opportunities.

In a medical billing and coding role, you’ll support patients beyond the exam room. Because you’ll be keeping medical records accurate, ensuring claims are processed correctly, and helping patients understand billing and insurance, healthcare providers are able to focus on delivering timely, quality care.

A medical billing and coding career path is an opportunity to use your technical knowledge and administrative skills to manage records, process claims, and keep things running smoothly. It’s a great way to build a rewarding career as an essential part of the healthcare system.

Medical billing and coding offers many opportunities to expand your skills through continuing education and professional certifications. Many undergraduate programs are designed to help you develop a set of interdisciplinary skills for today’s rapidly evolving health information field. Some can even help you prepare to pursue AAPC’s Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam.

A career in medical billing and coding offers steady opportunities in a field that plays a vital role in healthcare. While actual local growth may vary, medical records specialist roles are projected to grow 7% nationwide from 2024 to 2034, with around 14,200 job openings each year.

As a medical biller and coder, you may find that freelancing is a better fit than a full-time role. This gives you the opportunity to set your own hours and rates and choose the type of healthcare organization you work with. Earning a medical billing and coding certification can be a great way to demonstrate to potential employers that you’ve learned the skills you need to be successful in your role, whether you work on site or from home.

There are several career paths for medical billers and coders, depending on your education, certifications, and interests. Think of medical billing and coding as 2 sides of the same coin. They’re related, but each serves a different purpose.

Medical coding focuses on translating patient diagnoses, treatments, and procedures into standardized codes used across the healthcare system. Medical billing uses those codes to create and submit insurance claims and ensure that healthcare providers are paid for their services. Depending on your interests and strengths, you can focus on one or gain skills in both to expand your career opportunities.

Here are some common medical billing and coding jobs:

The education you need for a medical billing and coding career depends on the role you’re pursuing. While many job titles are often used interchangeably, such as medical records clerk and technician or health information clerk and technician, the roles represent different levels of responsibility, education, and expertise. This means a variety of educational programs, certifications, and skills may be applicable, or even required, depending on the role.

If you’re looking to start in an entry-level role, an undergraduate certificate in medical billing and coding or healthcare information coding can help you build the skills you’ll need. You’ll learn the basics of medical terminology, coding, insurance billing, digital health, and medical ethics — skills that will prepare you for the work you’ll do on the job.

After completing a certificate program or gaining experience in the field, you can choose to pursue medical billing and coding certifications to further demonstrate your industry knowledge. Professional certifications like AAPC’s Certified Professional Coder or Certified Coding Specialist can show employers that you’ve met these industry standards and may help you qualify for certain roles. Here at DeVry, our medical billing and coding programs can help prepare you to pursue these exams after graduation.