What is a Medical Coder? Where do Medical Coders work? What kind of person succeeds in Medical Coding? What kind of training will I need to a successful Medical Coder? How do I get certified in Medical Coding? What job opportunities will I have as a Certified Medical Coder? What is the salary range for Medical Coding specialists? How do I get started with my Medical Coding career?

What is Medical Coder?
Sometimes called insurance coders or claims specialists, Medical Coding professionals are responsible for assigning codes to medical diagnoses and procedures in order to insure that patients receive proper reimbursement from insurance companies and government agencies.

Where do Medical Coders work?
Medical Coding professionals work in hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, surgery centers, long-term care facilities and home health care agencies. They are also employed by consulting firms, coding and billing services, insurance companies, government agencies and computer software companies. Some Medical Coders telecommute from home-based offices where they work as employees or subcontractors for hospitals and transcription services. Others are self-employed, independent contractors.

What kind of person succeeds in Medical Coding?
To excel in this field, you must have a solid understanding of the coding system gained though a quality medical coding program. Attention to detail, a sense of responsibility, manual dexterity and confidentiality are also important attributes for a Medical Coder. Clerical, organizational and people skills are other traits that will prove helpful in paving the way for a successful career.

What kind of training will I need to be successful in Medical Coding?
In addition to having your GED or high school diploma, you’ll need to complete a Medical Coding certificate program, like the one offered at Brookdale Community College. Our program will teach you the skills necessary to become a Medical Coder. You’ll learn how to evaluate and interpret health records and reports and accurately code diagnoses and procedures. The curriculum also includes medical terminology, anatomy, physiology and pathology.

It is also important to earn a basic industry certification such as the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Certified Coding Associate (CCA) credential.

How do I get certified in Medical Coding?
Entry-level Medical Coding certification exams are offered by two national organizations: American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC). The Medical Coding Certificate program at Brookdale Community College prepares you to take the AHIMA Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam.

What Job Opportunities will I have as a certified Medical Coder?
There is a nationwide shortage of qualified Medical Coders according to the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Because of this shortage, the demand for Medial Coders and other health services professionals is expected to grow 35% by the year 2012.

What is the salary range for Medical Coding Specialists?
According to a July 2004 study done by Salary.com, half of Medical Coders earn between $30,963 and $38,530 annually; and the top 25% of Medical Coding professionals make more than $38,530 a year.

How do I get started with my Medical Coding career?
Brookdale Community College has new programs beginning throughout the year.