What Do Medical Coders Do?
Medical coders are health information technicians who assign codes used for the billing and reimbursement of health services. These codes describe both the diagnosis of the patient and the services rendered by the health care provider. Codes may differ depending on whether the medical coder works in a hospital or clinic and the type of services provided.
These coding sets are revised on a regular basis requiring medical coders to stay current on the changes as well as on any new reimbursement procedures. In some instances, medical coders are responsible for keeping medical and administrative staff informed about changes in the coding sets, too. With the move toward electronic medical records, medical coders are expected to be familiar with and use a number of different computer software programs to access clinical records and input codes.
Medical coders may also review patient information for preexisting conditions such as diabetes, retrieve patient records for medical personnel, and work as a liaison between the health clinician and billing offices.
This is one of the few health-related occupations in which there is little or no direct contact with patients. Because accuracy is essential in their jobs, medical coders must pay close attention to detail.
For more information, go to: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm.
Where Do Medical Coders Work?
Medical coders primarily work in health care settings, including hospitals, private physician offices, clinics, and nursing homes. They may also work in other settings such as health care consulting firms and insurance companies.
Medical coders usually work a 40-hour week. Some overtime may be required. In hospitals—where health information departments are often open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—some medical coders may work day, evening, and night shifts.
What Do Medical Coders Earn?
In 2022, the average annual income reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for medical records specialists in the United States was $51,090. The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) reports that, in 2023, medical records specialists in New York earned a median annual salary of $51,289 (medical records specialists in the 25th percentile made approximately $39,360 while those in the 75th percentile made approximately $66,614).
Supply and Demand
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of jobs for medical records specialists in the U.S. will increase by 7% between 2021 and 2031. The New York State Department of Labor projects that the number of jobs for medical records specialists in the state will increase by 16% between 2020 and 2030.
Employment growth for medical coders will result from the increase in the number of medical tests, treatments, and procedures that will be performed as the population ages and is likely to have more health-related problems. In addition, because of state and federal health care reform legislation, more Americans are expected to get health insurance and the use of electronic health records is also expected to grow. Therefore, more medical coders will be needed for patient and electronic data management.
For more information on the projected need for medical records and health information technicians by New York State labor regions, 2018-2028, click here.
Educational Program Requirements
Medical coders may obtain an associate degree from a community or junior college. Some schools may link medical coding with medical billing for a combined degree. The education programs in medical coding generally take between two and three semesters and consist of courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, computer skills, and coding data sets.
Many employers favor technicians who have become Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT). Advancement opportunities for medical record and health information technicians are typically achieved by specialization or promotion to a management position.
New York Licensure Requirements
While New York does not require medical coders to be licensed or certified, national professional associations such as the American Health Information Management Association, http://www.ahima.org, and the American Academy of Professional Coders, http://www.aapc.com/, may offer medical coders credentials based on passing a qualifying exam and experience and education.
Financial Support
Scholarships, loans, and other financial support may be available at many of the schools, colleges, and various training institutions. Additionally, AHIMA offers scholarships for individuals enrolled in Health Information Technology programs. For more information on AHIMA scholarships, go to: http://ahimafoundation.org/default.aspx?a=1.
Education Programs in New York (subject to change)
This is a sampling of medical coding education programs.
| Westchester Educational Opportunity Center 26 South Broadway Yonkers, NY 10701 (914) 606-7621 |
Borough of Manhattan Community College-CUNY Center for Continuing Educ & Workforce Dev25 Broadway, 8th FL New York, NY 10004 (212)346-8410 |
| Branford Hall Career Institute 1100 North Broadway Amityville, NY 11701 (631) 608-9113 |
ABC Training Center 1 East Fordham Rd. 2nd fl Bronx, NY 10468 (718) 364-6700 |
| Bryant & Stratton College Medical Coding education program available at Albany, Amherst, Buffalo, Greece Henrietta, Southtowns, Syracuse, and Syracuse North campuses. (866) 948-0571 For contact information for each location, go to: www.bryantstratton.edu/contact_us.aspx |
Berkeley College 99 Church Street White Plains, NY 10601 (914) 694-1122 *classes also offered at Brooklyn and two New York City locations |
| Elmira Business Institute Langdon Plaza 303 N. Main Street Elmira, NY 14901 (607) 733-7177 or Vestal Executive Park 4100 Vestal Road Vestal, NY 13850 (607) 729-8915 |
Mohawk Valley Community College Utica Campus 1101 Sherman Drive Utica, NY 13501 (315) 792-5400 or Rome Campus 1101 Floyd Ave. Rome NY 13440 (315) 339-3470 |
| Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences 226 West 26th St. New York, NY 10001 (212) 924-5900 ext. 199 |
Bronx Community College Workforce Dev & Continuing Educ 2155 University Ave Bronx, NY 10453 (718) 289-5170 |
| Kingsborough Community College 2001 Oriental Boulevard Brooklyn, NY 11235-2398 (718) 368-5050 |
Schenectady County Community College 78 Washington Avenue Schenectady, NY 12305 (518) 381-1200 |
| Hostos Community College 500 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY 10451 (718) 518-4444 |
Hunter College School of Continuing Education 695 Park Avenue New York, NY 10065 (212) 650-3850 |
| Westchester Community College-SUNY 75 Grasslands Road Valhalla, NY, 10595 (914) 606-6661 |
Queensborough Community College-CUNY Continuing Educ & Workforce Dev 222-05 56th Ave Bayside, NY 11364 (718) 631-6343 |
| Queens Educational Opportunity Center Certificate Program 15829 Archer Ave. Jamaica, NY 11433 (718) 725-3320 |
College of Staten Island Office of Continuing Education 130 Merrill Ave Staten Island, NY 10314 (718) 982-2182 |
| Ace Institute of Technology 312 W 36th St. 2nd Fl. New York, NY 10018 (212) 695-9700 or 4040 75th St., Ste. 4038 (718) 575-3223 |
ASA College Manhattan Campus Herald Center Mall 1293 Broadway (One Herald Center) New York, NY 10001 or Brooklyn Campus 81 Willoughby Street Brooklyn, NY 11201 (866) 990-6148 |
| Herkimer County Community College 100 Reservoir Road Herkimer, NY 13350 (315) 866-0300 |
Lehman College 250 Bedford Park Blvd W Bronx, NY 10468 (718) 960-8000 |
| Hudson Valley Community College 80 Vandenburgh Ave Troy, NY 12180 (518) 629-4822 |
Plaza College 118-33 Queens Blvd Forest Hills, NY 11375 (718) 505-4188 |
| EBI Career College 4100 Vestal Rd. Vestal, NY 13850 (607) 729-8915 |
New York Medical Career Training Center 136-20 38th Ave, Ste. 5F Flushing, NY 11354 (718) 460-1717 |
| Brooklyn Educational Opportunity Center Certificate Program 111 Livingston St. Brooklyn, NY 11201 (718) 802-3358 |
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Additional Web Links
For more information about medical coders, go to:
The American Health Information Management Association: www.ahima.org
The New York Health Information Management Association: http://www.nyhima.org/
The American Academy of Professional Coders: www.aapc.com
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