How to Become a Medical Coder in 3 Simple Steps

Noel Griffith, Ph.D.

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What is a Medical Coder?

Medical coding technician is a really complex job, before we start talking about how to become a medical coder let’s see what your work will be like.

So, what a medical coder is? Every time you visit a physician’s office or a healthcare facility your insurance provider will receive the bill. This bill contains CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes. There are 3 categories of codes: procedures and contemporary medical practices, Clinical Laboratory Services, Emerging technologies services and procedures.

Medical coders’ work is to review medical records and assign the right codes in order to make sure that health care facilities will get recompensed for their services.

The daily duties of a medical coder are:

Retrieving patient records for doctors and other healthcare professionals
Looking through files for preexisting conditions
Keeping track of medical records
Preparing discharge paperwork
Translating diagnosis and medical procedures into medical codes.
Researching for the right code
Data entry

The most important skill medical coders need to have is attention to detail. With thousands of codes and a number of procedures and treatments a patient could receive it is really easy to make a mistake, so you can understand why attention to detail is such a crucial skill for medical coders.

Computer skills is another skill essential for medical coders. They work with computer systems, entering data all day long, so having good computer skills is really important for this profession.

Lastly analytical skills are also required for this profession. With the medical coding rules being really complex this job require strong analytical skills.

The majority of medical coders work at healthcare facilities like physician offices, hospitals and surgical centers. A small percentage also work at other organizations like: independent coding and billing service and insurance companies.

They work mostly full time business hours. If they work at a healthcare facility that operates 24 hours they may work on shifts, overnight and weekends.

Over the last years there are opportunities for at-home working, although these positions require years of proven working experience.

The average salary of a medical coder is per year.

Becoming a Medical Coder

Step 1: High School Preparation

High School Courses for Medical Coders

Technology and computer classes

As medical coders work with computer systems they should know how to operate them with ease.

Classes like computer literacy and computer fundamentals will help with basic computer functions and getting accustomed working with them.

Typing classes

If your school offers typing classes it is a good idea to take them. Medical coders have great typing skills and if you want to become one it is a good idea to take these classes.

Science classes

As healthcare professionals medical coders need to have a basic understanding of human anatomy and physiology.

When in college you will have classes like physiology and anatomy so it is recommended to take basic science courses like biology and chemistry when in high school and get prepared.

Step 2: Complete an Accredited Program in Medical Coding

Medical Billing & Coding Certificate Program 6 months – 1 year

Medical billing & coding certificate programs are 30 to 40 semester credit hours programs that can be completed either online or on-campus.

The admission requirements for these programs are a high school diploma or a GED.

Curriculum

Physician-Based Medical Coding I
Medical Billing I
Hospital-Based Medical Coding I
Physician-Based Medical Coding II
Medical Billing II
Hospital-Based Medical Coding II
Anatomy, Terminology and Healthcare Payers
Medical Basics / the Healthcare Claim Cycle
Disease Processes and ICD-9-CM Coding
Medical Terminology / Healthcare Setting
Medical Practice Management Systems and Billing and Coding Applications
(HCPCS) – Healthcare Common Procedure Coding Systems, Coding and Surgical Procedures
Billing and Coding Applications with Simulations
Coding with Simulation

The cost of a medical billing & coding certificate program cost between $4,200 and $19,500.

Associate of Science in Medical Coding degree program – 2 years

Associate of science in medical coding degree programs are 60 to 90 semester credit hours programs that can be completed mostly on campus.

In order to get accepted to an associate of science in medical coding degree program you will need a high school diploma with a GED of at least 2.2.

Some colleges will require to have completed some prerequisite courses.

Curriculum

General Education Requirements (25 credits)

Principles of Ethics
Cultural Diversity
College Composition
Fundamentals of Mathematics
College Algebra
English Composition I
American Government I
Introduction to Life Science
Student Success
Strategies for Decision Making
Introduction to Public Speaking
Introduction to Computer Applications

Core Courses (35 credits)

Introduction to Health Information Management
Medical Billing and Reimbursement
Pathophysiology for Medical Coding
Pharmacology for Medical Coding
Medical Coding I
Medical Coding II
Medical Law and Ethics
Computer Office Application
Legal Regulatory Issues in Health Inform
Medical Terminology
Medical Computer Applications
Medical Finance and Insurance
Diseases of the Human Body
Intro to Diagnostic & Procedures Coding
Coding of Clinical Procedures I
Coding of Clinical & Diagnostic Procedures 2
Case Studies in Coding of Patients
Electronic Medical Billing
Medical Coding Practicum I
Medical Coding Practicum I

The cost of an Associate of Science in Medical Coding degree program is between $16,000 and $33,300.

Step 3: Get Certified

While certification is voluntary its worth pursuing it.

Having a certification will demonstrate to employers your ability in various medical specialties and settings.

Also according to studies certified medical coders earn 20% more than those that are not certified.

There are 2 organizations issuing certifications: American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)

American Academy of Professional Coders offers 5 different types of certification.

Certified Outpatient Coder
Certified Professional Coder
Certified Risk Adjustment Coder
Certified Inpatient Coder
Certified Professional Coder / Payer

(CPC®) Certified Professional Coder

Requirements

Associate’s Degree in medical coding
2 years of working experience as a medical coder

Examination

Pass a 150 multiple choice questions test in a 5 hours and 40 minutes exam