Steps & Requirements to Become a Medical Coder
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Medical coders perform some of the most critical behind-the-scenes work of medical facilities. They ensure patient data is accurately logged in electronic health records (EHRs). Medical coding requires a detail-oriented approach and a specialized technical skillset. It is an ideal profession for those who want to work in non-patient-facing positions within the healthcare industry.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2023), a rapid increase in the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) means that medical coding is a career projected to grow faster than the average occupation. Between 2022 and 2032, there is expected to be an 8 percent rise in openings nationally, more than twice the average for all occupations during the same timeframe (3 percent).
Even though medical coders can start their careers with as little as one year of postsecondary education, it is not a job everyone can do. Medical coders need to be fluent in coding systems like the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), and the associated Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).
Even after their preliminary education, medical coders are presented with professional credential opportunities that can distinguish a coder from the pack and kickstart their career. The numerous continuing education requirements for recertifying those credentials mean the journey is winding and never complete.
Beyond certification credentials, medical coders must possess a full range of professional skills to do their jobs well. Medical coders need to be analytical and detail-oriented and also be able to discuss patient medical data accurately with physicians and hospital administration teams. While state licensure is not typically required, specialized medical coders working in oncology may be required to earn a Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) credential to work in the cancer registry field.
Read on to learn the step-by-step process of becoming a medical coder.
Step-By-Step Guide to Becoming a Medical Coder
Step One: Postsecondary Education (One to Four Years)
After graduating from high school, aspiring medical coders have three main options for their undergraduate education: a certificate program, an associate’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree.
A certificate program is the quickest route to working in the field, as most take less than a year to complete. These focused programs of study cover the basics of disease processes, treatment procedures, terminology, body systems, and basic coding in ICD-10. Students will also gain proficiency in medical office software, billing procedures, and regulatory compliance. The curriculum of these programs is designed to prepare students for immediate employment and to take official credentialing exams.
An associate’s degree in healthcare administration or health information management provides a reliable and adaptable option for aspiring medical coders. In addition to the medical coding basics in a certificate program, students receive a well-rounded liberal arts education that improves their writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills.
While an associate’s degree takes longer than a certificate to complete (about two years), employers may be keener to hire applicants with official degrees on their resumes. An associate’s degree can also easily be transferred towards a bachelor’s degree program, should graduates decide to pursue further education in the healthcare field.
A bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration or health information management is a longer but more complete path to working in medical coding. In addition to the foundational understanding of medical coding found in certificate programs and the soft skills learned in the associate’s degree, the bachelor’s degree offers exposure to the broader and more nuanced concepts in healthcare management. Graduates learn about human resources, health policy, legislative compliance, data analytics, and project management. Although most bachelor’s degrees take four years to complete, medical coders who choose this route are not only at the top of the hiring list for employers; they are also more likely to take on leadership roles and earn higher salaries.
No matter which pathway one takes to gain their prerequisite education in medical coding, the educational institution must be accredited. Program-specific accreditation is available through the American Health Informatics Management Association (AHIMA), the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), and the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC).
Featured Programs for Medical Coders
Hutchinson Community College offers a certificate program and two associate of applied science (AAS) degree programs in health information management and cancer registry management. The program provides students with the clinical experience and instruction to help them develop the technical skills needed to become Certified Tumor Registrars (CTR). Tumor registrars coordinate, prepare, maintain, and secure health records in several healthcare settings.
The certificate comprises 38 credits, while the AAS degree program in health information management with an emphasis in cancer registry management has 63 credits. The AAS in health information management comprises 66 credits. The curriculum explores topics such as pharmacology; human anatomy and physiology; health information processes; medical terminology; legal and ethical issues in healthcare; pathophysiology; cancer registry structure and management; cancer registry operations; oncology treatment and coding; and cancer disease, coding, and staging.
- Location: Hutchinson, KS
- Accreditation: Commission on the Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM); Higher Learning Commission (HLC); National Cancer Registrars Association
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months (AAS); 12 months or less (certificate)
Keiser University offers an online bachelor of science degree in health information management (HIM), providing students with the skills and knowledge of administrative, medical, ethical, and legal standards and requirements related to the privacy of protected patient information and healthcare delivery. Graduates of this program will be eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) exam offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Made up of 120 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to health information management; health data concepts & standards; medical terminology; pathophysiology for HIM; pharmacology for HIM; ICD-10-CM/PCS coding; health insurance and reimbursement; alternative health record systems; and data analytics and research methods.
Graduates will be prepared to work in various settings throughout the healthcare industry including group medical practices, hospitals, nursing homes, insurance companies, clinics, home care providers, and government agencies.
- Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
Step Two: Earn Preliminary Credentialing (Six Months)
Almost all education programs for medical coders prepare graduates for basic credentialing exams, two of which students can take immediately. Both are offered through AHIMA.
The first option is to obtain a Certified Coding Associate (CCA) credential, a nationally recognized standard of achievement in health information management. AHIMA recommends six months of work experience before taking this exam but does not require applicants to have any if they have completed an AHIMA-approved or comprehensive medical coding education program.
The credentialing exam consists of 105 multiple-choice questions (90 scored items and 15 pretest items) testing for fundamental competency, commitment, and capability across hospital and physician-based practices. The application fee is $199 for AHIMA members and $299 for non-members. The CCA credential can distinguish a medical coder and help them secure better job prospects and the higher salaries that go with them.
The second option is to earn the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential. While this certification also does not require work experience, it does call for at least an associate-level education in health information management from a CAHIIM-accredited program.
The 3.5-hour credentialing exam consists of 130-150 multiple-choice questions that measure competency in ensuring the quality of medical records, using computer applications to assemble and analyze patient data, and specializing in coding diagnoses and procedures in patient records for reimbursement and research. It costs $229 for AHIMA members and $299 for non-members. Like the CCA, achieving the RHIT credential can improve job placement and salary earnings.
Step Three: Get Work Experience (One to Two Years)
Once new medical coders have earned their certificate or degree, it is time to enter the office and get to work. Professionals should utilize the resources available at their school and within their peer network to find employment. Joining a professional association such as AHIMA or the AAPC can unlock employment opportunities and career preparation materials.
Furthermore, gaining work experience helps young professionals determine their work setting preferences—in a hospital or a physician practice environment—which will, in turn, help them select possible further professional credentials.
Step Four: Earn Additional Credentials (One to Two Years)
After a medical coder has gained some work experience, further professional credentials from AHIMA become available such as the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) or the Certified Coding Specialist Physician-Based (CCS-P) certifications.
The CCS credential is for coders skilled in classifying patients’ medical data, primarily in a hospital setting. It tests for knowledge of terminology, disease processes, and pharmacology and expertise in ICD-10-CM and CPT/HCPCS coding systems.
The CCS-P credential denotes a medical coder specializing in physician-based settings. The CCS-P exam tests for competency in ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, and CPT coding systems – testing for mastery-level understanding rather than entry-level skills.
For both credentials, the corresponding exam consists of 115-140 (for CCS) and 97 to 121 (CCS-P) multiple-choice questions, as well as eight medical scenarios that require candidates to pick from a range of medical codes. Both exams require two years of work experience or one year of work experience plus a secondary credential. However, work experience requirement exceptions exist for candidates with an RHIT credential. Each exam has an application fee of $299 for AHIMA members and $399 for non-members.
Step Five: Pursue Continuing Education (Ongoing)
The credentials earned in steps two and four must be maintained. AHIMA requires medical coders to recertify every two years. Those holding a CCA, CCS, or CCS-P must complete 20 continuing education units (CEUs) and two annual coding self-reviews (five CEUs each) throughout each recertification cycle.
Medical coders with an RHIT credential only have to take 20 CEUs. And those with two AHIMA credentials must complete 30 CEUs every two years. Continuing education activities can include AHIMA meetings, formal educational programs, teleseminars, delivered presentations, published academic work, independent study, and more. A full list is available in AHIMA’s recertification guide.
Helpful Resources for Aspiring Medical Coders
Founded in 1928, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is the leading source of knowledge-sharing for health information management. It is a one-stop shop for aspiring, professional, and veteran medical coders. The organization has 52 affiliated state associations and more than 100,000 members. It offers education and events through textbooks, credentials, meetings, continuing education, academic journals, and more. The following offerings may be of particular interest to aspiring medical coders:
- Online Courses
- Books
- Webinars
- Resources (Practice Briefs, Toolkits, AHIMA Query Template Library)
State Licensure for Medical Coders
As mentioned, medical coders do not often require state licensure (BLS 2024). Certification through AHIMA or AAPC is recommended to demonstrate a commitment to the profession and stand out on job applications. Some employers may also require medical coders to hold a valid certification to meet minimum qualifications.
However, some states and facilities require medical coders working in oncology or cancer treatment centers to hold a Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) credential from the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA). There are three routes of eligibility for CTR certification:
- Route A1: Complete an NCRA-accredited associate degree program and complete a 160-hour clinical practicum under the supervision of a CTR.
- Route A2: Complete a 60-credit associate’s degree program, an NCRA-accredited certification program, and a 160-hour clinical practicum supervised by a CTR.
- Route B: Complete an associate’s degree of 60 or more credits, including two semesters or six credit hours in human anatomy and physiology with a grade of C or better, and complete 1,950 hours (one year of full-time work) in the cancer registry field.
The NCRA provides a CTR Exam Candidate Handbook for complete details on what to expect during test day and how to study for the exam. Registration for the CTR exam is $425 for non-members and $325 for NCRA members as of 2024.
