A job in medical billing and coding can be profitable, albeit it is not necessarily easy. You juggle a lot of responsibilities, and sometimes it feels like you’re constantly swimming against the current. However, there are some indisputable advantages to the profession as well. Therefore, before making any decisions, carefully weigh both the pros and cons. Below are the top 3 pros and cons of working as a medical coder and biller. Using these main benefits and drawbacks, you may decide if you should take this path.
Top 3 cons of being a medical biller and coder
- For training programs, you need to have a high school diploma or GED.
You require a general education development degree (GED) or at least a high school diploma to be qualified for medical and billing training courses. You will be working with fairly precise medical terminology; therefore, this is crucial. You will have the language and math abilities necessary to thrive in a medical billing and coding training program thanks to the knowledge you acquire in high school. This means that if you have not completed high school or your GED, you do not meet the qualifications to enroll in a medical billing and coding training program.
- You have to complete a certified training program.
You must finish an accredited training program if you want to work as a medical biller and coder. A certificate, diploma, or associate degree program is an option. Community colleges, technical schools, universities, hospitals, and other organizations that offer courses connected to healthcare can help you identify training programs. Depending on the sort of school you select, the required training program to become a medical biller and coder will take you anywhere from 7 to 24 months to finish.
- You will need to get certified.
To start your job as a medical biller and coder, you must obtain certification after completing your training course. A test is required to become certified. In order to work as a medical biller and coder, you must pass two certification tests. The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) test is the first one, while the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam is the second. We therefore sincerely hope that you are able to pass these tests because if not, your time and money would have been lost.
Top 3 pros of being a medical biller and coder
- This career path will not need years of college.
One of the biggest pros of being a medical biller and coder is that you can begin working in this industry after finishing a brief authorized training course. You can need anywhere between 7 and 24 months, depending on the program you choose. This suggests that you can begin working and making money as soon as you complete high school or receive your GED. To pursue other healthcare occupations, you’ll need to spend several years in college after high school.
- You can complete your training online.
One benefit of working as a medical coder and biller is that you can get all of your training online. The advantage of online learning is that you can do your training at any hour of the day or night. You can do it whenever you have free time, even on weekends and before or after work. Your level of flexibility will be greatly increased through online training. It is also simpler to maintain your training schedule when you learn online. If you learn in a classroom, you might be engaged at first, but after a few weeks, boredom might set in, and you might quit going. Nothing truly changes when learning online; there is no need to drive somewhere, locate parking, or sit in a classroom, therefore there is no need to lose interest.
- You do not have to have contact with a lot of people
You won’t interact with many individuals in your role as a medical coder and biller. This is due to the fact that the patient will never see you and that practically every co-pay and claim must now be submitted online. There will be no need for you to speak to anyone in person. You may only ever communicate over the phone.