How to become a medical coder: Step by step

Hey there. Heather here. Welcome to the last lesson of the Intro to Medical Coding course. By now, you know that medical coding is an exciting career path that's in high demand. Every time someone gets medical care, a medical coder is behind the scenes translating that care into a language that insurance companies, health care providers, and organizations can understand.

Now this career isn't just for anyone. It's for people who are detail oriented, curious, and ready to make a meaningful difference in health care. And the best part? It's a rewarding career with a strong salary and, yes, even job security.

Even with the rise of AI, the need for skilled medical coders is growing. That's because AI may be able to assist, but it can't replace the careful judgment and expertise of a human coder. So if you're considering this dynamic career, you're about to find out what you need to know to get started as a medical coder. The first step is to choose your coding career path.

Like any field, medical coding has specializations. This is important to understand because you'll want to start by deciding what type of coding is the best fit for you. There are several main types of medical coding, each with its own area of focus. The most common areas include the following.

First, there's inpatient coding.

This type of coding is used in hospital settings where patients are admitted for longer stays. Inpatient coders focus on the patient's entire stay, capturing all the services and diagnoses that occur from admission to discharge.

It's a more complex form of coding because it requires knowledge of coding guidelines specific to inpatient care.

Next, there's outpatient coding. This is used for services where patients are not admitted to the hospital. Think doctor's office visits, same day surgeries, and diagnostic tests.

Outpatient coders document individual visits, often focusing on specific procedures and diagnoses. Then there's risk adjustment coding.

This type of coding focuses on the accuracy of a patient's health status documentation, which is used to predict future health care costs and resource utilization. Risk adjustment coders primarily work with chronic conditions, capturing the severity and complexity of a patient's health issues. They often work with insurance companies, health care providers, and government agencies. Lastly, there's specialty coding. If you're interested in a specific area of medicine, like cardiology, orthopedics, or oncology, specialty coding might be for you. This involves coding complex procedures and treatments related to specific medical fields. Now there's also medical billing, which is a separate but related role.

Medical billers handle the billing process, ensuring that claims go through and are paid correctly. Some people prefer coding, some prefer billing, and some do both. It's important to ask yourself, do I want to focus on coding, billing, or a bit of both? Once you've considered your strengths and what excites you, choose the path that aligns best.

After deciding which path you'd like to pursue, the next step is to enroll in a medical coding program that fits your goals.

Medical coding requires a deep understanding of both anatomy and medical terminology as well as a mastery of the coding systems that are in place. Coding programs offer the training you need to gain these skills. Here's what you can expect from a typical medical coding program.

Coding curriculum. You'll cover subjects like anatomy, medical terminology, health care ethics, and of course coding systems like ICD-ten Centimeters, CPT, and hands on practice.

Most programs include coding exercises and scenarios to expose you to the real world work environment. Flexible learning options.

Many programs offer online or in person classes, so you can learn at your own pace, whether you're a full time student or juggling this alongside work or family commitments.

Certification prep. Your program will prepare you for the certification exam you'll need to take in order to become a certified medical coder.

Investing in a good coding program sets the foundation for your career. Think of it as building your tool kit, getting you ready for the next step, certification.

The third step, and arguably one of the most important, is to get certified. Certification is what shows employers that you have the skills to do the job.

Here's what the certification process generally looks like.

First, you'll want to study until you feel confident you're ready.

The coding certification exams aren't easy, but don't let that scare you. If you've completed a high quality coding program, you've already done a lot of the hard work. Now it's about reviewing and practicing.

When you're ready, you'll need to schedule a date and time to take your certification exam, either online or in person through a testing center. Once that day comes and you pass, you're certified. You'll have a certification to show that you've got what it takes to work as a reliable coder. Certification is a big milestone.

It's the gateway to beginning your career. Now you're ready to start applying for jobs. With your certification in hand, it's time to land your first job in the field. But what exactly are employers looking for?

As you go about your job searching, keep these top skills in mind. Attention to detail. Employers want coders who can catch small mistakes and accurately translate medical information into standardized codes.

Technical skills. Familiarity with different coding systems in health care software is a must. During interviews, highlight any software or programs you learned during your training. Adaptability.

The health care field is always changing, and medical coding isn't any different. Show potential employers that you're adaptable and ready to learn. As you look for ways to gain experience, remember that networking makes a huge difference, especially when you're new to the industry.

It's a great way to find opportunities you may not find through regular job searches. Consider attending conferences, webinars, or local chapters. Building experience takes time, but don't worry.

Each day on the job brings new learning opportunities that help you grow.

Once you're established in your career, there's still more to learn. Medical coding isn't a field where you simply learn the basics and stop. It's a career that offers constant growth and advancement.

You can start as an entry level coder and move up to roles like a senior coder, coding auditor, or even a coding manager.

With experience and additional certifications, you can branch out into other areas of coding I mentioned earlier, like risk adjustment, inpatient, or specialty coding. You can even take your career in a new direction by becoming a medical auditor or health care compliance officer.

So if you're looking for a career that can grow with you, medical coding has some exciting pathways. Here are some of the main avenues medical coders take to keep moving up.

Maintain certification with CEUs. To keep your certification, you'll need to complete continuing education units, also known as CEUs, each year. There are a lot of ways to earn attending workshops, webinars, taking courses, or even completing assessments.

Specialize and advance.

The more certifications and specializations you earn, the higher your earning potential. If you find that you're drawn to a specific type of coding, consider pursuing additional certifications in that area. Not only will this deepen your expertise, but it will also make you a more competitive candidate for advanced roles.

Stay updated on industry trends. Health care is an evolving field, and coding practices evolve with it. Make a habit of staying up to date on industry news.

Follow blogs, read industry publications, or join coding forums to stay in the loop. Remember, this career path is yours to shape. Whether you wanna focus on a specialty, move into management, or even teach future coders, the opportunities are out there for you. As we come to the end of this course, I want you to remember that every step you take on this journey is a building block for a rewarding career. Medical coding may seem complex, but with each new skill you learn, you're helping patients and the health care system work more efficiently.

The path to becoming a successful medical coder is filled with opportunities. From choosing your path to obtaining your certification and landing your first job, each step brings you closer to a meaningful career. And as you continue to grow, you'll find that the world of medical coding offers many paths to fulfillment.

So take these first steps with confidence. The health care industry needs dedicated skilled coders like you.

Stay curious, keep learning, and enjoy the journey. Thank you for joining me, and I wish you all the best as you embark on this new career.