Medical Coding and Billing Job Description & Earning Potential

What Will I Be Doing as a Medical Coder and Biller?

As a medical coding and billing professional, you will review patient medical records and assign codes to the tests, treatments, diagnoses, and procedures performed so the facility can bill insurance and other third-party payers (such as Medicare or Medicaid) as well as the patient. There are two types of coders, and AHIMA-approved Career Step training can prepare you for both of these career paths:

• Outpatient coders focus on coding the records of patients who are seen in physician offices or who are admitted to areas of a hospital that provide outpatient services (emergency rooms, same day surgery, hospital clinics, etc.).
• Inpatient coders are responsible for coding the more complex records of those admitted to the hospital as inpatients.

Most of these professionals work on-site for hospitals, clinics, physicians, and a variety of other healthcare facilities. With Career Step's Medical Coding and Billing training, you can gain the skills you need to succeed in either of these roles, making you more flexible when you're looking for a job.

How Much Can I Make in Medical Coding and Billing?

Pay scales of medical coders and billers vary by employer, geographic location, and experience, but you can quickly increase your earning potential by earning industry credentials:

• Competitive salaries – The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the middle 50% of medical coding and billing professionals earn between $25,570 and $42,170 a year.
• Certified coders earn more – The 2010 AAPC Salary Survey reports that certified coders earn over $7,500 more per year than their non-certified colleagues.
• Career Step includes certification prep – Certification preparation is built in to your AHIMA-approved Career Step training so you're prepared to earn industry credentials right after graduation.

With Career Step, you'll have the knowledge and skills to maximize your earning potential after graduation.