Is medical coding still in demand?
Asked by: Prof. Sonia Jerde Jr. | Last update: July 23, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (50 votes)
Is medical coding being phased out?
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 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.
Is it hard to get hired as a medical coder?
Yes indeed it is very hard these days to gain an entry. The way the employers ask for an experience is so distressing when it comes to a certified coder waiting for 1year and X exponentials. Many of them already have been in an 'atmosphere' and a sort of hands- on-experience for a year or two.
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 Medical Coding Worth it in 2025?
What pays more billing or coding?
You Can Earn a Good Salary
According to the BLS, the median range for medical billing specialists in 2023 was $48,780. Entry level billing and coding specialists may earn less than that, but the highest 10% of all coders earned about $77,810 in May 2023.
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 are the cons of being a medical coder?
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.
What hours do medical coders work?
Medical coders in a clinic or physician's office may work regular office hours, typically from 8 am to 5 pm. They may also be required to work additional hours to catch up on coding work if there is a backlog.
Is medical coding exam hard?
There's no doubt about it, the CPC® exam is tough. A variety of sources show that ONLY about 50% of coders receive the necessary 70% score to pass the CPC® Exam on the first try. That means that half of all test-takers need a second shot at passing. Who wants to take this test more than once?
Are most medical coders remote?
Employers of medical coders, billers, and other healthcare business professionals are part of the remote work trend, as shown by a whopping 65.7 percent of the AAPC 2024 Salary Survey respondents reporting that they work remotely full time.
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.
Is there still a future in coding?
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.
Can coders work from home?
If you love to be presented with a problem that you can figure out and fix, then a coding career could actually be your dream career. Better yet, many coding careers can be done remotely — in fact, remote tech jobs have been common, both for full-time roles and freelance jobs, even before the pandemic.
How many claims should a coder do a day?
Typically, most of the coder's code between 15 – 30 cases per hour, which comes down to 100-150 cases in a day within 8-hour shift. The numbers also depend on the experience of the medical coders. If they have vast experience, they will be able to code more than newbies in less time.
Is a medical coding certificate worth it?
A survey conducted by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) found that certified professionals earn an average of $55,923 per year. And according to this AAPC survey, earning additional certifications will only increase your salary potential.
What pays more, medical billing or coding?
In general, medical coders typically earn more than billers.
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 it easy to get hired as a medical coder?
It can be tough to get a coding or billing job right away. Many new coders and billers start working in related healthcare fields, and then use that experience as leverage to get a billing or coding job.
Can you make money doing medical coding at home?
You can work from home. Unlike many other healthcare professions, working as a medical coder often comes with the option to work from home. Doing this job remotely helps you establish a greater work-life balance, helping improve your job satisfaction in the process.
Which company is best for medical coding?
- CareCloud: Best Overall.
- DrChrono: Best for Small Practices.
- Kareo: Best for Reporting.
- Nextgen: Best for Fast Claim Reimbursement.
- Athenahealth: Best for Coding & Compliance support.
- AdvancedMD: Best Patient Portal.
- Cerner: Best for Large Practices.
How much is a medical coding certificate?
These programs may offer basic to advanced training in medical billing and coding skills and can usually be completed in 6 months to 1 year. Diploma Programs: Diploma programs in medical billing and coding may cost between $2,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the institution and program duration.