Medical Coding Career

Medical coding is the right career choice for me. The responsibilities and work expected match well with my personal strengths. The field is growing rapidly. It’s the perfect time to get an Associate’s Degree in Medical Reimbursement and Coding. However, before committing to starting a new career path, there are many questions I need answered about this field. The first step in deciding on this career was investigating what the day-to-day responsibilities of a medical coder are. No coding job is exactly the same, the individual workday varies based on the size and type of facility where the coder is employed. However, most coders have the same basic daily tasks. A coder starts by looking over the files and patient notes that need to be coded.

As a single mother, my biggest motivation is to be financially independent. If I’m going to pay for a degree in Medical Reimbursement and Coding, I need to know that it will provide me with the financial stability I’m looking for. Going back to school is a big risk, it’s a huge time and financial commitment. According to the American Association of Professional Coders, the average salary of a coder with an Associate’s Degree was $46,815. A coder with no degree made only slightly less, $44,338. This isn’t discouraging though. If I decided to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree, I could be making $54,552, which is a substantial increase. Increased education definitely leads to higher pay in the medical coding field. Experience also leads to higher pay, the starting salary for an Associate’s Degree is actually only $35,048. This is less than I was hoping to make. However, the salary shows consistent salary increases as coders gain experience. (Dustman,

The research paper is less daunting if you use the annotated bibliographies and project outline as its foundation. You should try not to rush through your research, don’t settle on the first source you find. You should analyze and evaluate each source before incorporating them into your paper. Starting college and working on your first research paper can be overwhelming. However, if you make a plan and start your work early, you set yourself up for success.
For the first time, I feel like I have a realistic and promising view of my career path. Medical coding is the best choice for me to accomplish my goals. As technology changes the field is expanding and job opportunities are growing. When I graduate with my Associates Degree in Medical Reimbursement and Coding I’ll be ready to start a successful career.