Medical coding is one of the fastest-growing careers in the healthcare industry. Working as a medical coder allows you to make a difference in the lives of others while using your skills and interests to do something rewarding and fulfilling with your career. To get started, consider the following benefits of becoming a medical coder:

High Demand

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment for medical coders is expected to grow by 25% between 2012 and 2022, which is much faster than the average growth rate. In fact, due to their critical role within healthcare organizations, coders are often considered hot employees. One reason for their high demand is coding accuracy – as long as you enter accurate data into your software each time you code a claim, your practice can dramatically improve its revenue cycle management (RCM) performance. Moreover, with nearly every doctor’s office or clinic having some kind of electronic health record (EHR), there are an increasing number of opportunities available to work remotely or telecommute.

Gateway Into the Health Industry

Online medical coding courses are not only a stepping stone into some health care professions, but they also help with salary prospects. According to May 2012 research from U.S. News & World Report, general medical and surgical nurses had median annual wages of $45,830. This career will pay off financially: In addition to gaining valuable skills and experience that make you more attractive to employers outside health care, it can also serve as an excellent way to add some healthy zeroes onto your paycheck now.

Work From Home

One of the biggest perks of working from home is enjoying more flexibility in your schedule. You can set your hours and work around other obligations, like school or family. Not only does working from home offer greater flexibility, but it also allows you to avoid having to spend time commuting. One study found that employees who worked from home were about 10% more productive than those who worked on-site. In some cases, telecommuting may be offered as an incentive to keep employees at their current job, which could help increase employee retention at your company.

Future Growth Opportunities

The healthcare industry is expanding faster than ever. Due to an aging population, there are more and more older patients who need treatment and medicine than ever before. This means that healthcare providers will continue to hire medical coders who can manage large amounts of patient data efficiently and accurately.

In fact, according to Payscale, the number one rated job in America is Health Information Management. Medical coding jobs are a great way for workers to make lots of money without obtaining an advanced degree since most employers prefer hiring candidates with at least two years of experience with medical coding certification under their belt. With both those factors combined, it's no wonder there are so many people flocking to study medical coding on Transparent Education.

If you are someone who wants to work in health care, but you also want to feel like you make a difference in the lives of those around you, then medical coding might be the job for you. Keep this guide in mind as you learn more about careers in medical coding.