Work Activities/Work Locations
- Medical Coding Specialists review medical documents provided by Physicians and other healthcare providers and translates this into numeric codes. The Coding Specialist assigns codes to procedures and diagnosis using a universally recognized coding system.
- The reimbursement to the healthcare provider is dependent on the diagnostic and procedural codes assigned. Knowledge of both the medical and business sides of healthcare make this an interesting profession.
- These entry-level Medical Coding Specialists work in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics, Physician practice groups, surgery centers, long-term care facilities, and home healthcare agencies.
- They are also employed by consulting firms, coding and billing services, insurance companies, governmental agencies and computer software companies.
- They work in office environments using medical records and computer.
Advantages and Disadvantages
- Some would like more patient contact.
- There is sometimes frustration with expectations of speed and accuracy.
Education: 1 year
Patient Interaction: Low
Physical Activity: Low
Salary: $36,990
Job Growth: Medium
Related Careers
Medical Transcriptionist (MT)/Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT)
Medical Coding Specialist/Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Health Science Librarian (HSL)
Health Information Technician/Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)
Health Information Administrator/Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
Getting Started
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High School Courses
- High school students should study Health, biology and computer courses.
- Volunteer/paid healthcare experiences would help with entry employment.
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Education and Training
- Northcentral Technical College (NTC) offers an 18-credit Medical Coding Specialist Diploma that takes less than one year.
- Coursework includes medical technology, body structure & function, human diseases, and medical coding.
- At NTC all courses within the Medical Coding Specialist program can be applied to the Health Care Business Services Associate Degree program.
Educational Institutions
Blackhawk Technical College
Bryant-Stratton College – Bayshore
Bryant-Stratton College – Wauwatosa
Fox Valley Technical College
Herzing University – Brookfield
Herzing University – Kenosha
Herzing University – Madison
Lakeshore Technical College
Madison Area Technical College
Mid-State Technical College
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Moraine Park Technical College – Fond du Lac
Northcentral Technical College
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Rasmussen College – Appleton Campus
Rasmussen College – Green Bay Campus
Rasmussen College – Wausau Campus
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
University of Wisconsin – Marshfield
Waukesha County Technical College
Western Technical College
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College – Ashland
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College – New Richmond
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College – Rice Lake
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College – Superior -
Method of Entry
- A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
- Medical Coding Specialists complete a technical diploma program usually at a technical college.
- Individuals may become Certified by passing examinations offered by the American Health Professional Coders (AAPC)or the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
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Professional Organizations
American Academy of Professional Coders
2233 S Presidents Dr., Suite F
Salt Lake City, UT, 84120
800/626-2633 (CODE) or 801/236-2200
www.aapc.com/American Health Information Management Association
233 N. Michigan Ave., 21st Floor
Chicago, IL, 60601-5809
312/233-1100 or 800/335-5535
www.ahima.orgMedical Billing & Coding
281/846-3081
www.medicalbillingandcoding.org/Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialists
218 E. Bearss Ave. #354
Tampa, FL, 33613
888/708-4707
www.pahcs.org/
Career Outlook
Number Employed in 2014 (Wisconsin): 5,220
Number Employed in 2014 (U.S.): 188,600
Expected Employment in 2024 (U.S.): 217,600
Percent Employment Growth (2014-2024): 15%
Expected Annual Openings: 7,120
Median Salary in 2014 (Wisconsin): $36,990
Salary information is located at Career One Stop
Wisconsin AHEC Health Careers Information Center provides the most current salary information available from CareerOneStop. CareerOneStop will have a lapse between when the information is gathered and when it is released.
- Medical Coding Specialists work a 40- hour week.
- Part-time employment can be an available option.
- This is an entry-level exposure that can lead a person to pursue many other areas of healthcare.
- Potential occupations with this training: Medical Coding Specialist, Coding Specialist, Coder, Claims Analyst, or Outpatient Coder.
- Without further education, advancement opportunity is limited.