The Department of Labor estimates that 30,000 new medical coding jobs will be generated in 2016. This suggests that the medical coding profession is a career growth area for the foreseeable future.
Taking accredited college courses via online education or distance learning can lead to:
An associate's degree (For example: ASMBC- Associate's Degree in Medical Billing and Coding)
A medical coding certificate (For example: CPC- Certified Professional Coder)
The best curriculum focuses on the proper codes to use when submitting medical procedures the patient received, for payment to insurance carriers or Medicare.
Training includes the proper coding practices, rationale and resource material for coding in a variety of situations. For example, as a Certified Professional Coder, you can work in a physician's office, hospital or a third party medical billing company.
Salaries for medical coders average from about $32,000 to $41,000 or higher depending on your employer, your experience and your education level. Several online medical coding programs exist that provide the classes necessary to become a medical coder. Continuing online education in the profession is also available.