Modern technology’s development has accelerated the advancement in the healthcare sector. Medical coding has become a vital part of the healthcare industry now, and more job aspirants are getting attracted to the job opportunities for medical coding students. By definition, medical coding involves the transformation of medical diagnoses and procedures into universally recognized codes for billing and record-keeping purposes. New-generation jobs like medical coding create a wide range of job opportunities. At the same time, medical coding career growth is fabulous, which will help you earn a lot within years. In addition, a medical coder plays a crucial role in ensuring that patients receive the proper care they need while ensuring that healthcare providers get reimbursed accurately. If you’re looking to advance your career as a medical coder, there are several steps you can take to increase your skills, knowledge, and earning potential.

Get Certified

The most vital step to advance your career as a medical coder and attain a good salary with a medical coding job is getting certified as a medical coder. The most widely recognized certifications for medical coders are the Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Associate (CCA), and Certified Coding Specialist (CCS). This certification shows your expertise and commitment to the field, making you a more competitive candidate for job openings and promotions.

Specialize in a Particular Area

Medical coding is a broad field with many different areas of specialization. Specializing in a particular area will help you become an expert in that field and increase your value to ensure better career growth in medical coding. Some of the most preferred areas of specialization include cardiology, neurology, and oncology coding. Focusing more on them will lead you to become a master instead of just a certified medical coder.

Pursue Continuing Education

Continuing education is essential to stay up-to-date with the latest coding guidelines and regulations and attain remarkable career growth in medical coding. Reading industry publications, participating in online forums, and attending conferences can help you be informed about developments in the field of medical coding.

Seek Out Leadership Opportunities

Leadership opportunities can help you gain valuable experience and demonstrate your leadership skills. Consider volunteering for leadership roles in professional organizations or taking on additional responsibilities at work to showcase your leadership potential.

Network with Other professionals

Networking is essential for medical coding career growth, like in any other industry. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and connect with other professionals to expand your network and gain new insights into industry trends and best practices that can help you advance your career.

How much does a Medical Coder earn?

Medical coding job salary or the job hierarchy of a medical coder can vary depending on the organization and industry. However, the job hierarchy of a medical coder may include the following levels in general:

1. Entry-level Medical Coder:

This is the starting position for those new to the field. An entry-level medical coder is responsible for reviewing medical records. They assign codes to diagnoses and procedures. On average, entry-level medical coders in India can expect a starting salary ranging from ₹2,00,000 to ₹3,00,000 per year.

2. Senior Medical Coder:

Senior medical coders have several years of experience in the field and are responsible for coding complex medical cases. They may also provide training and guidance to entry-level coders.

With experience and advanced education, senior medical coders can earn salaries ranging from ₹4,00,000 to ₹6,00,000 per year.

3. Coding Supervisor/Manager:

Coding supervisors or managers oversee a team of medical coders. They are responsible for ensuring that coding practices are accurate and up-to-date. They may also be responsible for hiring and training new coders. Coding supervisors or managers can earn salaries ranging from ₹6,00,000 to ₹8,00,000 per year.

4. Director of Health Information Management (HIM):

The director of HIM is the one who is responsible for overseeing every aspect of health information management, including medical coding, medical records, and data analysis. As a high-level position, it requires extensive experience and education in the field. Directors of HIM can earn salaries ranging from ₹10,00,000 to ₹20,00,000 per year or more, depending on the organization they work for and their experience.

As for earnings, the salary of a medical coder can vary based on several factors, including location, experience, education, and certification. Anyway, starting your career as a medical coder will help you go beyond career expectations in a short time. All you need to invest is a lesser amount of money and time to become a master in this area, compared to the other conventional graduation programs in India. Even though most students are unaware of the huge possibilities of it and the job opportunities for medical coding, it is becoming a hot topic among those who seek a better future in the medical industry.