So, You Want To Be a Medical Coder And Start Your Own Services From Home?

Medical Coder's Pay

Nationwide studies show that the average starting pay for a medical coder is $30,000 - $33,000 per year depending on the location. Their pay substantially increases based on training, qualifications and experience in the field.

Put Your Success Within Reach!!!
Certification is very important step. NHA offers two paths toward certification: their National Certification Exam for graduates, and their Home Study Certification Program for experienced medical coders and billers.

Differences In Pay

The Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that the earning potential for medical coding and billing experts varies widely. Like any professional, medical coders and billers are compensated according to their level of training and skills (and how effectively these skills are used). Their pay is quite competitive. The medical coder usually is compensated at a higher hourly rate than a medical biller. Medical billers, however, although they earn slightly less, have a better chance to start their own medical billing business from home.

Pay Levels

Pay levels are governed chiefly by experience and qualifications. Depending on their location, experienced medical coders can earn $20,000 to $30,000 annually, plus incentives, fringe benefits, bonuses, etc., while certified medical coders earn $25,000 to $60,000. Those who work independently as medical coding consultants can make as much as $100,000 to $120,000 a year, which is quite impressive but requires hours upon hours of hard work and a knack for doing serious business year in and year out.

Promotions

Experienced medical coders and billers may get promoted as section supervisors to oversee the work of the coding procedure, correspondence, or discharge sections. Others may perform retrospective audits of medical records to ensure compliance with current industry standards for coding and billing as well as develop education and training programs for physicians and staff members.