A medical coder classifies the information on patient records in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings.
The codes allow the information to be more easily shared among different departments and with health insurance companies.
Medical coders earn a fairly good salary without needing much education beyond high school, which makes this an attractive career.
Keep reading to learn more about medical coding and how you can advance your career by becoming a certified coding specialist (CCS).
What Is a Certified Coding Specialist?
A CCS is a master medical coder who has demonstrated the quality, accuracy, and efficiency of their work.
While a CCS might not necessarily have a different job than any other medical coder, they're typically paid a little more.
Job Duties of a Coding Specialist
A CCS typically has a variety of record keeping and data entry tasks that keep them busy during their workday.
They primarily work with patient records, including medical histories, symptoms, diagnoses, test results, and treatments.
All of this information must be coded accurately in electronic health records systems so it can be adequately transmitted.
One of the main purposes of this coding is to categorize the information for submission to specialists and health insurance companies.
A CCS is also responsible for ensuring that all patient health information is kept confidential throughout the process.
Coding Specialist Work Environment
About a third of all medical coders work in hospitals, including state, private, and local hospitals.
The rest work in physician's offices, nursing or residential care facilities, and in other healthcare-related offices.
In hospitals and clinics that are open all the time, some coders work night and weekend shifts.
Some medical coders do their work remotely from home via a secured internet connection that gives them access to their employer's network.
Training and Education for Coding Specialists
While some certified coding specialists have an associate or even a bachelor's degree, most only have a high school diploma.
There are training courses designed for medical coding careers, many of which can be completed in a few months.
A CCS has experience as a medical coder and has taken a certification exam that confirms their efficiency and accuracy in coding.
The additional certification means a CCS typically earns more money than a regular medical coder.
Average Pay of a Coding Specialist
Medical records specialists overall, including certified coding specialists, earned an average of $51,090 per year in 2022.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), coding specialists working for insurance carriers earned more than average.
Top paying states for medical records specialists include New Jersey, California, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, and Connecticut.
Coding specialists in these states earn about $10,000 a year more than the national average.
Getting a CCS credential opens you up to higher earning opportunities as well as supervisory positions.
Job Outlook for Certified Coding Specialists
According to the BLS, employment of medical records specialists overall is expected to increase by 7% from 2021 to 2031.
This rate is about as fast as the average for all occupations. The BLS projects around 14,900 new openings each year for medical coders.
The demand for medical coders is expected to increase as the population ages, requiring more medical services.
Widespread use of electronic health records (EHR) has also increased the need for medical records specialists to maintain those systems.
How to Become a Certified Coding Specialist: Step by Step
Read below for a list of the steps you should take to become a certified coding specialist.
Step 1: Earn a High School Diploma or the Equivalent
Most medical coding training programs require applicants to have a high school diploma or the equivalent, although some do not.
Regardless, most employers require medical coders to have a high school diploma or the equivalent.
If you don't already have one, you can earn your high school diploma online through an accelerated program.
Step 2: Complete a Training Program
Training programs for medical coders are typically offered by professional associations or local community colleges.
Many of these programs can be completed entirely online so you never have to set foot inside a classroom.
While most of these programs are self-paced, they're typically designed to be completed within four to six months.
You should choose a program accredited by the Commission for Accreditation on Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
Step 3: Consider Getting an Associate or Bachelor's Degree
An associate or bachelor's degree in medical coding provides you with more background knowledge about medicine and the healthcare system.
Courses in medical terminology, health data requirements, and confidentiality of medical records will greatly help you in your career.
Some medical coders find that nursing courses are also beneficial. Many of these classes are also available online.
Step 4: Gain Practical Experience as a Medical Coder
Before you can become a certified coding specialist, you need hands-on experience as a medical coder.
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) requires at least two years experience to be eligible for certification.
Additional education can potentially qualify you to take the certification exam after just one year of work as a medical coder.
Step 5: Take the Certification Exam
The CCS exam is a timed exam that you have four hours to complete. The exam consists of between 115 and 140 questions.
There are two sections, a multiple choice section and a medical scenario section that includes questions that have multiple responses.
A score of at least 300 on the exam earns you CCS certification. Around half of all exam-takers pass the test in any given year.
Learn about Becoming a Certified Coding Specialist Today
Reach out to Best Accredited Colleges today to get more information about becoming a certified coding specialist.
