8 Pros and Cons of a Medical Coding Career

When you think of healthcare careers, your mind might go straight to doctors and nurses—but medical coding professionals, sometimes known as medical billing and coding professionals, are just as essential to keeping the industry running smoothly. As the backbone of efficient healthcare operations, this career ensures that hospitals, clinics, and providers get reimbursed correctly so they can continue delivering top-notch care.

If you’re looking for a stable, rewarding career in healthcare—without spending years in medical school—medical coding might be a great fit. It offers strong job security, competitive pay, and different work settings (including the possibility of remote work). But, like any career, it comes with some perks and challenges.

So, is this the right path for you? In this blog, we’ll break down the biggest pros and cons of working in medical coding so you can decide if it aligns with your career and personal goals.

Key Takeaways

• • Medical coding is a stable career with strong job demand, offering growth opportunities as the healthcare industry expands.
  • This career allows for quick entry into healthcare, with certification programs that can often be completed in under a year.
  • While medical coding offers remote work potential and a solid salary, it requires accuracy, attention to detail, and ongoing education to stay up to date with industry regulations.

What Is Medical Coding?

A medical coder is a certified professional—typically someone who earned their certification and specialized training after getting a high school diploma—who uses the codes applied to medical procedures to create and submit insurance claims on behalf of their healthcare facility and patients. This means understanding medical records and procedures, the coding systems used to represent those procedures for billing purposes, and submitting and following up on insurance claims.

Think of a medical coder as the go-between, an intermediary between a healthcare facility and its patients (along with their insurance companies). You’ll need to know your way around technology as your hospital will usually have a coding program it requires you to use.

4 Pros of Working as a Medical Coder

A career in medical coding comes with a variety of benefits. From quick entry into the field to growth potential and more, this career path offers plenty of advantages. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top reasons why medical coding is an attractive professional choice.

#1 – Short Training Period

Unlike many healthcare careers that require years of schooling, you’ll have an opportunity to learn quickly, allowing you to dive into the work with minimal hanging around.

For instance, UC has three different term start dates (for spring, summer, and fall) for its medical coding certification per year, so you can jump into the program at a time best for you. And with the certificate totaling 30 credits, you can potentially complete the program in under a year.

#2 – High Medical Coder Demand and Job Security

One of the biggest advantages of medical coding is the demand for professionals in this field. Growth is expected in the medical coding market, with Grand View Research estimating a compound annual growth rate of 9.85% for the industry between 2023 and 2030.

#3 – Competitive Salary

While salaries vary based on experience and certification, medical coders can earn a respectable income.

According to the BLS, average annual pay works out to $48,750 per year (a little over $23 per hour), and the highest 10 percent of medical records specialists earned more than $77,810. Plus, you may have opportunities to work from home—a highly-coveted benefit according to U.S. Career Institute.

#4 – You Contribute to Patient Care

You won’t work directly with patients as a medical coder. However, you’ll ensure those patients get through the medical system as quickly as possible. Think of yourself as the grease on the wheels—nothing happens without you processing payments and handling invoices for insurance claims.

4 Cons of Working as a Medical Coder

The salary and growth potential for this career are significant upsides, but you still have to consider the cons of being a medical coder before making your choice.

#1 – Regulations Change Constantly

Medical coding is far from a sector where you can get a certification and be done with your education. Regulations change constantly in healthcare, which means you must engage in continuous learning to stay compliant and ensure accurate billing.

#2 – Pressure

Accuracy is paramount in the medical coding field. If you’re not pitch-perfect with your numbers, insurance companies get the wrong information, and the person who’s supposed to grease the wheels instead brings the entire machine to a screeching halt.

#3 – The Work Is Repetitive

Though the need to learn new regulations – and sometimes new software—breaks up your workday a little, there’s no getting around medical coding being repetitive. You’ll spend most of your time sitting at a desk dealing with the same types of forms over and over.

#4 – Limited Career Advancement without Additional Training

While medical coding offers stability and a solid starting salary, advancement opportunities can be limited without further education or certifications. If you want to move into higher-paying roles (such as health information management or medical auditing), you’ll likely need to invest in continued learning and earn additional credentials.

Is Medical Coding Right for You?

If you’re looking for a career that offers stability, strong earning potential, and room for growth, medical coding could be a perfect fit. This profession plays an important role in the healthcare system—ensuring that providers get paid, patients receive the care they need without billing issues, and insurance claims are processed efficiently.

One of the biggest perks? You can get started quickly without spending years in school. With fast-paced certification programs, you’ll be on the right track to a rewarding career in a field that’s always in demand. Plus, with the rise of remote work options, many medical coders have the flexibility to work remotely from home.

Contact UC Today to Learn How You Can Earn a Medical Coding Certificate Online at Your Own Pace

Does becoming one of the hundreds of medical coding specialists sound like the right fit for you? Then we have great news—UC offers an entry-level program that gets you up to speed on what you need to know for this career path.

Our Medical Coder Certificate can be completed online and prepares you to sit for industry-recognized certification exams, including the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) and Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exams, which are highly valued by employers.

Want to discover how we can help accelerate your healthcare career? Contact your own enrollment advisor today for one-on-one guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does medical coding open the door for other careers in healthcare?

Yes, medical coding can be a great stepping stone to various healthcare careers, including health information management, medical auditing, and even healthcare administration. With additional certifications or a degree, you could move into leadership roles or specialize in fields—like compliance and insurance claims analysis.

What is the downside of medical coding?

While it’s a stable and rewarding career, medical coding can be detail-oriented and repetitive, requiring a strong focus on accuracy. The industry also evolves constantly, meaning you’ll need to keep up with changes in coding regulations and healthcare policies through ongoing education.

Can a medical coder work from home?

Yes, many medical coders enjoy the flexibility of remote work, especially as more healthcare facilities transition to digital records and online billing systems. However, some employers may require on-site training or experience before offering remote positions.

Is it worth becoming a medical biller and coder?

Yes, becoming a medical coder is worth it if you’re looking for a quick entry into the healthcare field, solid job security, and the potential to work from home. With strong demand and competitive salaries, it’s an excellent path for those who enjoy organization, problem-solving, and working with data.