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New York Health Careers

Medical Coders

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.

How Much 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 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

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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