What is the hardest part of medical billing and coding?

Asked by: Tanner Schoen  |  Last update: May 19, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (48 votes)

The hardest phase is the beginning when you're still familiarizing yourself with the codes and terminology while also having to think critically so that you can organize them accordingly.

What is the hardest thing about medical billing and coding?

Let's discuss a few hardest parts that appear in medical coding and can be perplexing for medical coders.
  • Keeping up on changes. ...
  • How to keep Up With trends in the medical billing and coding industry? ...
  • Bad documentation/missing documentation. ...
  • Dealing with complex medical cases. ...
  • Different requirements for different payers.

How hard is medical billing and coding?

Understanding Medical Terminology, Codes, and Procedures. Medical billing and coding can be challenging, especially if you are not familiar with medical terminology, codes, and procedures. To be successful in this field, you must have a good understanding of these concepts.

Is there a lot of math in medical billing and coding?

A: Medical billing and coding involve basic math skills for tasks like calculating procedure times, percentages for audits, and unit conversions. While advanced math isn't required, familiarity with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division is helpful for ensuring accurate billing and reconciliation.

Is the medical billing and coding exam hard?

The certification exam for medical coding and billing can be challenging, but certainly not impossible—over 70% of examinees passed in 2022. However, preparation and practice are vital for passing the exam, which is why MedCerts offers the Medical Coder & Biller Certification Course to help you succeed.

Is Medical Coding Hard? Insights from a Medical Coder

15 related questions found

How many people fail the CPC exam the first time?

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?

What is the passing rate for medical coding?

To pass the CPC exam, you need to achieve a passing rate of 70 percent or higher. That means you must answer at least 105 questions correctly.

What pays more medical billing or coding?

In general, medical coders typically earn more than billers.

Do coders have to be good at math?

In essence, the only math skill you will need to start coding is basic arithmetic: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc. Most projects do not rely heavily on math. You will however need to be able to think logically.

Can you make a lot of money as a medical coder?

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.

What are the cons of medical billing and 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.

Do medical coders work from home?

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 does HCC mean in coding?

HCCs, or Hierarchical Condition Categories, are sets of medical codes that are linked to specific clinical diagnoses.

What is the toughest part of coding?

What will be the toughest part of coding
  • Learning Curve and Rapid Technological Evolution:
  • Project Management and Collaboration:
  • Code Maintenance and Refactoring:
  • Time and Resource Constraints:
  • Understanding and Navigating Documentation:
  • Imposter Syndrome:
  • Security Challenges:
  • User Experience and Design Considerations:

What is the most challenging part of being a medical coder?

One of the trickiest aspects of the job is applying a binary mindset to complex scenarios. Rarely is a patient's condition as simple as it looks on paper. The coder's job is to take a vague collection of symptoms, medical history and past treatments.

Why is medical billing so hard?

Medical billing also incorporates various codes designed to standardize terminology in the healthcare industry. They add to the complexity of the process. It is also why a career in medical billing and coding requires a lot of study, training, and continuing certifications.

Does coding pay well?

Depending on your job title, a coder in the US can earn between $49,000 and $94,000 per year. Both medical and computer coding skills can offer lucrative career paths depending on the industry, location, and experience level.

Can I code if I'm bad at math?

You don't need to be good at advanced math to become a good software developer. While some fields of programming require you to have extensive knowledge of mathematics (such as game development and machine learning), you don't need advanced math skills for most coding jobs.

How to code for beginners?

How To Code For Beginners
  1. Step 1: Understand Why You Want To Learn How To Code. ...
  2. Step 2: Choose The Right Languages. ...
  3. Step 3: Choose The Right Resources To Help You Learn. ...
  4. Step 4: Download A Code Editor. ...
  5. Step 5: Practice Writing Your Programs. ...
  6. Step 6: Join An Online Community. ...
  7. Step 7: Hack Someone Else's Code.

Do medical coders have to talk on the phone?

To coordinate billing codes and diagnoses, the MCS may also need to speak on the phone with care providers such as nurses, doctors, or insurers, and may also need to communicate over email to coordinate reimbursement for medical procedures.

Is a medical coding exam hard?

The CPC exam is a challenging test, so it's not easy to pass. It's also not necessarily difficult if you're prepared. In order to pass the exam, you need to have a minimum score of 70%.

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.

How much does it cost to get CPC certified?

To maintain your credential, you must maintain your AAPC annual membership, and earn 36 continuing education units (CEUs) every two years. The cost of the CPC exam is $399 for one attempt, or $499 for two exam attempts.

What is the lowest salary for a medical coder?

Salary for a Medical Coder in India ranges between ₹2.0 Lakhs to ₹5.5 Lakhs per year.