The healthcare industry is booming, but it’s not just nurses and doctors who are in high demand. Medical coders have also experienced growth in the profession that’s extended to work from home positions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the medical coding industry is expected to grow by 8% over the next 10 years. And with entry-level positions readily available and less overwhelming barriers to obtain employment, jobs are becoming more and more plentiful. Even more enticing, medical coding from home jobs have also become a mainstay in the healthcare industry.
If you’re interested in entering the healthcare industry or you’ve always fancied a work-from-home position that’s in high demand, medical coding from home might be the career path you’ve been searching for.
What Does a Medical Coder Do?
At the most basic level, a medical coder translates patients’ reports and treatments into a software program. The medical codes are then used in the billing process. This determines whether a particular treatment is necessary or covered by insurance.
In a more specific manner, medical coders document the services each patient receives during a visit. Each service has a corresponding billing code. After the visit, the medical coder reviews the services rendered and assigns each service the appropriate billing code. Then, the medical coder supplies the medical biller with the information (codes) she needs to generate an invoice or to submit a claim for reimbursement to the patient’s insurance company.
How Do I Become a Medical Coder?
Although you don’t need medical or healthcare background to get a medical coding from home job, you will need certain skills and prerequisites to become a viable job candidate. You’ll have to follow these steps to become an attractive applicant as a medical coder:
- Earn a high school diploma or a GED
- Obtain an associate’s degree in medical coding and billing, which is usually offered at healthcare colleges or community colleges
- Get a certification (not required, but recommended)
- Meet state licensure requirements (if necessary)
- Apply for entry-level medical coding from home jobs
Many employers will provide on-the-job training for the right applicant. But those looking to boost their earnings may want to strongly consider a certification program. Some of the top industry-recognized medical coding jobs include:
- Certified Professional Coder from the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC)
- Certified Outpatient Coding from the AAPC
- Certified Inpatient Coding from the AAPC
- Certified Coding Associate from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
- Certified Coding Specialist from AHIMA
- Registered Health Information Technician from AHIMA
Other Information on Medical Coding From Home Roles
On top of education and certification, medical coding from home jobs also require a specific subset of skills. Necessary soft skills include:
- Attention to detail
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Discretion to keep medical records safe
- Assertiveness
- Familiarity with medical terms to hold discussions with physicians
You may also need the right equipment for a medical coding from home job. This includes:
- High-speed internet
- Transcription software, headphones and foot pedal, if the doctor orally gives notes
- Fax machine, printer, scanner
- A reliable computer
- Medical billing and coding software
If you don’t have this equipment, don’t stress. Many companies furnish you with these items when they hire you. Or at the very least, they provide a stipend for you to purchase them.
Salary Information
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical coders earn a median salary of $44,090 annually or about $21.20 per hour. However, the range of pay will vary depending on whether you’re certified, your experience, and your location. Job salary reporting site PayScale shows a median pay of $43,508 per year or $19.03 per hour. The lowest 10% of medical earners make $14.29 per hour while the top 10% of earners bring home $25.98 hourly.
Companies Hiring Now for Medical Coding From Home Jobs
If you have the necessary qualifications for a medical doing from home job, now is the time to take the next step toward employment. Here are some of the top companies hiring now in the healthcare field.
1. Ascension
Founded in 1999 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Ascension is one of the largest private healthcare companies in the country. As of 2020, the Catholic, nonprofit health sysem has 151 hospitals, 165,000 employees, and revenues totaling over $22 billion annually. The company’s faith-based mission puts an emphasis on helping impoverished communities although they work with all types of socioeconomic patients.
2. Aviacode, Inc.
Aviacode, Inc. is a Salt Lake City-based healthcare company that provides outsourced coding solutions to healthcare companies throughout the country. To work for Aviacode, every medical coder must have either an AAPC or an AHIMA certification. These rigorous requirements work as a testament to the organization’s dedication to hiring only the best coders in the field.
3. BayCare Health System, Inc.
Formed in 1997, by a group of nonprofit hospitals aimed at providing affordable healthcare to the Tampa Bay area, BayCare Health System currently has 15 hospitals that provide both inpatient and outpatient services. BayCare has been praised by current and former employees by offering competitive salaries and benefits, leadership training, the opportunity to advance their education through tuition assistance, and other perks.
4. Biogen
Biogen is a publicly traded multinational biotechnology company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Started in 1978, the company has created a number of notable pharmaceuticals to treat conditions such as multiple sclerosis, leukemia, lymphoma, and hemophilia. Most recently, the company has garnered worldwide praise for its work on Alzheimer’s drugs. This research culminated in the FDA approval of pharmaceutical Aduhelm in 2021. With 7,300 employees throughout the globe, Biogen continues to revolutionize the healthcare, biotech, and pharmaceutical industries.
5. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Serving patients throughout the greater Atlanta area, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is a nonprofit organization that cares for patients under the age of 21. Through its comprehensive services, the organization aims to treat childhood cancer and other diseases that can have a devastating effect on children, teens, and their families. With a variety of resources to support employees both personally and professionally and a generous salary and benefits package, the company has been named as a Fortune 100 Best Place to Work and a Best Place for Working Mothers.
6. Ciox Health
Ciox Health is a leading provider of health information management systems. Through its proprietary technologies, the company provides solutions to exchange health information and records, as well as optimize digital storage. Some of the perks offered to its employees include an employee referral program with paid bonuses, full insurance coverage, tuition reimbursement, generous paid time off, and even volunteer opportunities with pay.
7. eCatalyst Healthcare Solutions
Based in Phoenix, Arizona, eCatalyst Healthcare Solutions is a privately-held Health Information Management and Middle Revenue Cycle company that has been in the industry for nearly 15 years. Offering outsourcing and strategic consulting services to major healthcare organizations and hospitals, the company offers medical coding from home jobs, as well as a number of other business solutions.
8. Guidehouse
Guidehouse is a California-based healthcare information systems solution company. Along with medical coding, the company offers a wide range of other services, ranging from cybersecurity to consulting to sustainable development. As a certified Great Place to Work Company, employees praise the company’s inclusion and diversity, work culture, work-life programs, and more. The company also offers a host of unique benefits to its employees, including auto and home insurance, an employee referral program, and gym memberships.
9. Maxim Healthcare Services
Based in Maryland but extending a number of medical coding from home jobs to qualified applicants, Maxim Healthcare Services is a leading supplier of home healthcare services and staffing solutions to a wide variety of clients. In particular, the company often provides medical coding positions in both onsite and remote positions. With thousands of openings at throughout the year, it’s an ideal choice for both entry-level and veteran medical coders.
10. nThrive, Inc.
nThrive, Inc. is an SaaS patient-to-payment solutions provider with headquarters in Alpharetta, Georgia. With a vision based on transforming the healthcare system, the company has a passion for creating financial stability to healthcare organizations of all sizes. Though the company focuses mainly on the financial industry, it often has openings for medical coding from home positions as part of its web of all-inclusive services for its clients.
11. UnitedHealth Group
Ranked #5 on the list of Fortune 500 companies, UnitedHealth Group is the second-largest healthcare and insurance provider in the United States, trailing only CVS Health in terms of revenue. In 2020, the company earned over $400 billion in revenue. The company is also widely regarded as one of the top places to work in the country, named to Forbes’ list of the top 500 best large employers, as well as earning the #11 spot on LinkedIn’s Top Companies list.
12. University of Michigan
Founded in 1817, the University of Michigan is one of the oldest and most pretigious universities in the Midwest. It’s often ranked as one of the top public universities in the country, especially in STEM programs and the business school. The school also is also the owner of Michigan Medicine, which includes three hospitals and 40 healthcare facilities throughout the state.
Keep Your Search Going
If you didn’t see your dream job or you’re searching for that perfect employer, don’t stop your search. The companies listed above are just a small subset of the thousands of medical coding from home jobs available on Virtual Vocations. With a bit of self-motivation and the right Virtual Vocations tools, you can find the perfect medical coding from home position. Hopefully, this provides the work-life balance, flexibility, and earnings potential that only a remote job can provide.
Which one of these medical coding from home jobs caught your eye? What makes them attractive positions? Connect with Virtual Vocations on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube to share your thoughts and tips. We’d love to hear from you!
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Includes original content from Alexia Chianis
