An essential component of the healthcare sector is medical coding. It involves converting medical practices, diagnoses, and symptoms into alphanumeric codes that are then utilized for insurance and billing. Medical coders are responsible for reviewing medical records and assigning the proper codes to each operation, diagnosis, and symptom. It’s a challenging, meticulous work that necessitates a deep knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology. Medical coders are therefore highly sought-after experts in the healthcare sector.
The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) offers the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification, which is one of the most popular among medical coders. Many coding professions require this qualification, which is highly respected in the field. The CPC certification proves that the holder has an in-depth knowledge of medical coding standards, laws, and practices.
The question “What is the average income for a medical coder?” is one of the most frequently asked by anyone thinking about a career in medical coding. The response to this question depends on a number of variables, including certification, geography, and experience. The median annual salary for medical coders, which includes medical records and health information technicians, was $42,630 as of May 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The average annual pay for certified medical coders is $54,890, according to the AAPC. Compared to non-certified coders, who make an average of $42,015 a year, this is a huge rise. Additionally, according to the AAPC, developers with more than 20 years of experience might make up to $80,000 annually.
It’s significant to mention that in the upcoming years, there will likely be an increase in need for medical coders. Medical records and health information technicians’ employment is expected to increase by 11% between 2018 and 2028, which is substantially faster than the average for all occupations, according to the BLS. The aging population’s increased need for healthcare services and the growing adoption of electronic health records are the main drivers of this trend.
In conclusion, the Certified Professional Coder pay represents the typical compensation for certified medical coders that hold this credential. Despite the fact that the average pay for medical coders varies according to certification, geography, and experience, it is a highly regarded career with a sizable earning potential. It’s a fantastic time to think about a career in medical coding because the demand for coders is predicted to increase in the upcoming years.