Will medical coders be replaced by computers? Is this career getting obsolete? Let’s find out.
Coming back to our question, is medical coding a dying career? I’m sure you’ll find out soon. Keep scrolling down the screen.
We will respond to your question first, and then we will discuss other elements in support of our response. If you’re ready, let’s get things underway.
Is Medical Coding Career Dying?
It is understandable if you are concerned that artificial Intelligence (AI) Will soon take away your medical encoding work. But there’s nothing to panic about.
Advances in technology can affect all areas that rely on artificial intelligence. Be it the bank, school, or elsewhere. Then why are you worried?
The response to that question is NO. Medical coding isn’t a dying career. It is one of the medical jobs that holds great potential.
According to some reports, employment in the sector should increase by 8% by 2029.
This is due to a significant increase in the elderly population, increasing the demand for medical coding and billing experts.
As we speak, advanced technology cannot resolve medical descriptions that are unclear or adopted using flexible language.
Such descriptions and language usage can only be better interpreted using technology and analytical skills. This is precisely what medical coding experts are prepared for.
More artistic effort is put into running than science.
Furthermore, new codes add to complex issues as government and health care regulations change. Now, can AI manage medical coding in response to changing circumstances?
The answer is merely NO.
Some studies have shown that even physicians are not in a position to produce perfect documentation. Again, do you think robotics can provide ideal documentation?
We don’t think so because if they can, it should have been happening by now.
The majority of health centers around the world use coded documents and records. This increases the growing need for medical coders. You may find several medical coders working for a single hospital.
Will There Be a Shift in Responsibility?
Oh yes! As technology evolves, there will be some changes in responsibilities concerning medical coding.
Those who have specialized between the facility and clinical coding reflect their attention to becoming more granular. For example, outpatient surgery centers will seek experts in OB/GYN and neurological coding.
This is going to increase the demand for medical coding specialists further.
Rather than diminishing, more possibilities are created
If medical coding were to be a failing career, by now, there should be a limited number of opportunities for specialists. But the reverse is the case.
The skills that medical coders have developed throughout their careers lead them into other health information technology areas.
For example, encoders who work with Protected Health Information (PHI) Develop a thorough knowledge of the Health Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
With such firsthand knowledge, you can take on the role of compliance management or audit in the healthcare industry.
Tech is always essential for medical coding.
Since medical coding requires more human and analytical skills, technology still plays a vital role in medical coding. It’s simplifying the work of coders more than ever.
Shortly, you don’t need to spend multiple hours of work on a simple graph. Thus, current and future encoders should embrace technological progress at the forefront of their path.
Is Medical Coding a Bright Career?
Now that medical coding is not a dying career, is it a promising career? That’s what we’re all on the verge of discovering. Buckle up your seatbelt.
Yes. Medical coding is not only a brilliant one but an expanding career as well.
Anyone wishing to work with other experts, learn new codes/languages, and pay attention to details will appreciate the medical coding.
The occupation is currently competitive, meaning there is high demand for a specialist to land a great job, as earlier mentioned.
Right with us is a few reasons why we said medical coding is still a promising career.
The possibilities of working in diverse environments
As you know, coding is critical in the health field.
A certified medical coding certificate will allow you to work in multiple healthcare settings. These include hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, and doctors’ offices.
In addition to working in a hospital setting, medical coders also have the opportunity to work from home. There are coding possibilities for highly qualified encoders to work in their comfort zone.
But most of those opportunities are not available to entry-level workers.
Medical coders have uniform work hours.
At most health facilities, medical coding specialists occasionally work evenings. Some even work overtime beyond their regular hours of work. In most organizations, they work between 40 and more hours.
It does not take time to get started.
Unlike other careers in the health field, medical coding does not take much time to begin. Within 12 months, you can obtain a medical coding certificate program/diploma for entry-level employment.
An associate degree in this field takes around 18 months. You will undergo intense training that will allow you to qualify for multiple positions.
After completing a medical coding course, you must write the “Certified Coding Associate (CCA) Exam. The American Health Information Management Association draws it up.
All these certifications can take you to a rewarding career in the field of health. We’re talking about medical audits, improved compliance documentation, and much more.
What Will Be The Fate of Medical Coding in the Future?
Technology is doing an excellent job in the area of medical codification. Twenty years ago, the profession was very different from what it is now.
In 20 years, the industry will be confronted with significant changes. Therefore, medical coders should monitor industry trends that will impact their roles.
You may also want to consider getting familiar with artificial intelligence. On the face of it, AI will be the order of priority in most industries.
Medical coding is a great career path for anyone interested in working on a computer.
However, most practitioners are increasingly worried about losing their jobs because of technological advances.
As we mentioned, technology makes the work of coders much easier.
But that can’t take them out of their jobs. This is because there are descriptions that only humans with analytic skills can be capable of interpreting.
Medical coding is not a dying career.