Which Medical Coding and Billing Profession Should I Choose?
If you’ve decided that you’d like to pursue a career in medical coding, good for you! The only question now is which profession within medical coding and billing you’ll choose. You see, there are multiple different roles and professions within the medical coding industry. While you can go for the initial required certification (the CPC), getting another certification can further define your area of expertise.
If you’ve decided that you’d like to pursue a career in medical coding, good for you! The only question now is which profession within medical coding and billing you’ll choose. You see, there are multiple different roles and professions within the medical coding industry. While you can go for the initial required certification (the CPC), getting another certification can further define your area of expertise.
After all, if someone says they’re in the healthcare industry, they could be a dentist, doctor, nurse, office assistant, anesthesiologist or something else. Different roles have different salary rates, so choosing one or more professions to pursue is an important decision. Let’s take a look at a few of the most popular medical coding and billing professions.
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
The first requirement for a medical coding and billing profession, the CPC is the standard for certifications. You can get a CPC and pursue a position right away, or you can expand your credentials (and your salary potential) by getting another certification.
According to the AAPC, “Passing the CPC exam elevates your earning potential by more than $25,000 above annual salaries for persons without AAPC’s medical coding certification. And CPC salaries, averaging $57,201 in 2019, maintain a 9% increase each year. What’s more, the demand for certified medical coders continues to grow, with a 22% rise in jobs projected by 2022.”
Certified Professional Biller (CPB)
Medical Billers are vital to the financial success of a medical practice. They maintain all aspects of the revenue cycle. Students will learn health payer regulations, private payer policies, payment postings, payment adjustments, claims adjudication and the appeals process.
Certified Risk Adjuster (CRC)
Risk Adjusters assign the correct diagnosis (ICD-10-CM) codes. They provide documentation deficiencies to providers in order to improve accurate risk and audit adjustment coding.
Certified Outpatient Coder (COC)
Outpatient Medical Coders are in high demand since physicians often leave their private practice to join hospital groups. Career opportunities are often found in outpatient facilities such as Ambulatory Surgical Centers or hospital outpatient billing and coding departments..
Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA)
Certified Medical Auditors utilize their knowledge of medical coding and documentation guidelines to improve the revenue cycle of medical practices. A medical auditing career includes working with medical records technology and health services administration.
Medical Coding Manager (CPPM)
Certified Medical Coding Managers oversee the practice and are expected to have a wide range of skills in billing and leadership. They know the revenue cycle, compliance regulations, human resources, health information and business processes skills for their company.
Whatever medical coding and billing profession you’re seeking, you can get the knowledge you need from Medical Coding Academy. Check out our courses page to learn more.
