Are medical coders being phased out?
Asked by: Blair Roberts | Last update: October 23, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (45 votes)
Will medical coding become obsolete?
Suppose you're a medical coder or perhaps thinking of getting your medical coding certification. In that case, you may be wondering if advancing technology – i.e. artificial intelligence (AI) – is about to make you obsolete. The short answer for those in the medical coding and medical billing fields is “no.”
Is medical billing and coding a dying field?
The health care industry isn't going anywhere, and each office visit requires billing and insurance coding through a billing and coding professional. Positions in this field require specialized skills; having those skills can create great opportunities for growth and a career you can be proud of.
Is there a shortage of medical coders?
Unfortunately, the lack of medical coders may only worsen. By 2033, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the demand for medical coders and other medical records specialists will grow nine percent which is much faster than average for all occupations. That's about 15,000 openings each year.
Are medical coders still in demand?
Medical billers and coders are in high demand
Medical billing and coding jobs are rising and are expected to grow 8% through 2029. This is double the national average job growth, according to the BLS. It estimates that an additional 29,000 new medical billing and coding jobs will be opened in the next eight years.
Will Medical Coding Become Obsolete ?
Is medical billing and coding going to be replaced by AI?
Given these potential impacts and challenges, what does the future hold for medical billing and coding professionals? While AI is likely to significantly transform the field, it's unlikely to completely replace human coders in the near future.
Is there a future for coders?
The future of coding is likely to be more interdisciplinary, drawing on knowledge from a variety of fields to solve complex problems. As technology continues to intersect with disciplines like biology, neuroscience, and physics, we can expect more collaboration between coders and experts in these fields.
Why did I quit medical coding?
Compensation: One of the most common reasons for experienced coders to leave their jobs is compensation. If they feel that they are not being paid fairly or that their skills and experience are not being recognized, they may be tempted to look for opportunities elsewhere.
What is the future outlook for medical coding?
The job outlook for medical billing and coding professionals in California is promising. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a growth rate of 8% (faster than average) from 2022 to 2032 for medical records and health information specialists, which includes billers and coders.
Where do medical coders make the most money?
What state pays the most? AAPC's 2025 Medical Coding and Billing Salary Report shows annual income averages for medical records specialists across the 50 states and territories differ by up to 31.5 percent, with the highest in California at $80,189, and the lowest in Mississippi at $56,166.
What is the downside of medical coding?
You may find the work repetitive.
Medical billing and coding can be mundane. You may enter the same patient details into different systems multiple times during the day. Although there would be other work, most of your days will be spent on the computer doing repetitive tasks.
Can you work from home as a medical coder?
Medical coders and billers are a crucial part of the industry, and their roles can be performed virtually anywhere, making it an attractive opportunity for many who are looking for a job where they can work from home.
What pays better medical billing or coding?
In general, medical coders typically earn more than billers. Some positions entail one person working as both biller and coder, though that is less common and tends to occur in small markets or small medical settings.
What is the hardest thing about medical coding?
Medical coding is challenging due to the complexity of medical terminology, procedures, and diagnosis codes. The sheer volume of codes and constant updates to coding guidelines make accuracy critical but difficult to maintain.
Do medical coders still use books?
Since the code sets for each coding book are updated every year, it's essential for coders to have the current year's books/manuals to ensure accurate performance. Reporting wrong codes can lead to denied claim submissions and substantial penalization.
Will coding ever go away?
By harnessing the power of AI, developers can navigate the complex landscape of modern technology to deliver more innovative and efficient solutions than ever before. However, rest assured, programming and coding are here to stay.
Will medical coding be replaced by AI?
Most experts see AI-powered coding as the future, but not as a complete replacement for human coders. The ideal scenario involves a collaborative approach where AI tackles routine tasks, freeing up human coders to focus on complex cases and oversee the overall accuracy.
Why is there a shortage of medical coders?
With 95,000-plus codes from three medical coding systems, coders play a critical role in a hospital's revenue cycle and financial health. However, the demand for certified coders has significantly increased, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a notable shortage in this crucial profession.
Is there still a need for medical coders?
Absolutely. With the growing healthcare industry, an aging population, and advances in medical technology, the need for skilled professionals in this field will continue to rise.
What percentage of people quit coding?
Why 90% of People Quit Learning Programming? It's a common phenomenon that a significant percentage of people who start learning programming eventually quit. There are several reasons contributing to this trend.
How happy are medical coders?
At CareerExplorer, we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out, medical billing and coding technicians rate their career happiness 2.7 out of 5 stars which puts them in the bottom 14% of careers.
Is it hard to get hired as a medical coder?
Once you've completed your training in medical billing and coding, it's time to venture out into the job market. A word of warning: because medical billing and coding is expanding so rapidly, many young coders often find the job market saturated. It can be tough to get a coding or billing job right away.
Who is the highest paid coders?
- Artificial Intelligence Engineer. ...
- Data Scientist. ...
- Blockchain Developer. ...
- Cybersecurity Engineer. ...
- Cloud Architect. ...
- Develop In-Demand Coding Skills. ...
- Build a Strong and Diverse Portfolio. ...
- Network Whenever and Wherever Possible.
Is AI replacing coders?
Generative AI - A Collaborator, Not a Replacement
The looming question for incoming students passionate about programming is often, "Will AI replace programmers?" The short answer is no.
Are coding jobs decreasing?
The demand for software developers has declined sharply from the peak seen in 2021 and 2022, according to independent analysis by job portal Indeed and research firm ADP, reflecting a broader slowdown in high-paying white-collar job opportunities across tech, marketing, and finance sectors.