We all get to a point where we look at our current job and wonder, “Is this it?”
Maybe you’re tired of retail hours. Maybe you’re looking for a way to work in healthcare without handling blood or working 12-hour shifts on your feet. Or maybe you just want a career offering that neat “work-life balance” everyone keeps talking about.
If you’ve started Googling healthcare careers that don’t require years of medical school, you’ve almost certainly landed on medical billing and coding. It sounds promising: Stable, growing, and learnable. But before you commit to a program, you need the honest truth.
You need to know: Is medical billing and coding worth it?
For thousands of professionals, it absolutely is. But to really understand why, let’s look past the brochures and dig into the day-to-day reality, your ROI, and the paycheck of being a medical coder.
Here is why earning a Medical Billing and Coding certificate might just be the career pivot you’ve been looking for.
What is medical billing and coding?
It’s easy to think of billing and coding as just basic keyboard pushing, but it’s much more than that in the world of healthcare. Medical billing and coding professionals are basically the translators of the healthcare world.
Every time a patient visits a doctor, gets an X-ray, or has surgery, that event needs to be documented. But insurance companies don’t have time for figuring out all sorts of medical terms.
So, a medical coder takes a physician’s notes and translates them into universal alphanumeric codes (like CPT, ICD-10, and HCPCS), which insurance companies are more familiar with. A medical biller then uses those codes to submit claims to insurance companies, making sure the provider gets paid.
Coding and billing require a surgeon’s eye for precision and detail, along with a solid understanding of anatomy and medical terminology. Additionally, coders and billers are essentially learning a language used by insurance companies. It is the engine that keeps the financial side of healthcare running.
Hit the ground running
One of the biggest advantages of this career path is how fast you can break in. Unlike becoming a nurse or a physician assistant, you do not need a four-year degree to get started.
A Medical Billing and Coding certificate can be completed in significantly less time than an associate or bachelor’s degree. Programs like the one offered at University of Bridgeport allow you to gain the specialized skills you need in as little as 9 months.
That means less time in the classroom and more time earning a salary. For adult learners balancing family and work, this speed-up is worth considering when asking, “Is a Medical Coding certificate worth it?”
Safely in demand
Healthcare is one of the few recession-resistant industries. As people age and become ill, demand for medical services increases. Older professionals may also choose to retire, creating opportunities for others to take up the reins.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for medical records specialists is projected to grow 7% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. With approximately 194,800 jobs in the market, there is a demand for skilled workers in hospitals, physicians’ offices, and billing companies. You can be one of them in as little as 9 months.
See how UB’s Medical Billing and Coding certificate can position you for a growing healthcare career.
Money and the ROI
When evaluating if medical billing and coding is the right choice, money can’t be ignored.
The median annual wage for medical records specialists was $50,250 in May 2024. However, this is just the middle of the road. The top 10% of earners in the field made more than $80,950.
How much you can earn often matches up with your education and certification. Professionals who hold a recognized Medical Billing Coding certification often command higher salaries than those without a certification. Comparing the relatively low cost and short length of a certificate program to the potential starting salary, your ROI might surprise you compared to many other degree programs.
Medical billing and coding remote work potential
Who doesn’t dream of working from home? Luckily, medical billing and coding is one of the most remote-friendly careers in healthcare. The work involves digital records and software rather than direct care, so many hospitals offer hybrid or fully remote positions.
That flexibility saves you money on rides and work clothes, answering the question, “Is a Medical Coding certificate worth it?” Especially for parents or anyone who needs a work-life balance, a remote medical billing coding role is worth its weight in gold.
Beyond the certificate
A Medical Billing and Coding certificate is often just the beginning. The field offers a clear ladder for career progression.
Entry-level professionals can work their way up to become auditing specialists, compliance officers, or billing managers. Beyond that, you could specialize further in cardiology or oncology coding, which often pays more. Earning a Medical Billing and Coding certification is the key to unlocking a world of possibilities in Healthcare.
Why University of Bridgeport?
You’ve decided medical billing and coding is the right path for you. But where you study matters. So where do you go next?
University of Bridgeport offers a virtual Medical Billing and Coding certificate designed for you. Being fully online, we offer the flexibility you need to balance your education with work, family, or whatever else.
- Flexible Schedule: Designed for working adults.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Covers CPT, ICD-10, and medical terminology.
- Career-Focused: Prepares you to sit for national certification exams.
So, is medical billing and coding worth it? If you need a quick way into a stable and popular field with plenty of opportunities for remote work, the answer is absolutely.
By earning your Medical Billing and Coding certificate at University of Bridgeport, you’re securing a future in Healthcare. Learn more about the University of Bridgeport online Medical Billing and Coding program today.