Finding Your Medical Coding Job

Embarking on the journey to find your ideal medical coding job can be both exciting and challenging. As the healthcare industry continues to grow, the demand for skilled medical coders is on the rise, offering a wealth of opportunities for those with the right qualifications and determination! Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced professional seeking a new path, navigating the job market requires a strategic approach. In this guide, we'll explore essential tips and resources to help you successfully land a position that aligns with your career goals and expertise in medical coding. Let’s unlock the doors to your future in this dynamic and rewarding field.

Here are some of my best tips. Pay close attention and dig through this blog to find that information that will help you land that job you have always wanted!

Get Certified To enhance your job prospects, aim to get at least two certifications. Consider adding specialized certifications like CRC (Certified Risk Adjustment Coder) or CPMA (Certified Professional Medical Auditor) to your credentials.

Tailor Your Resume Avoid having your resume professionally done just once. Each application should have a customized resume that mirrors the specific job requirements. This approach increases your chances of standing out.

Network Effectively Are you actively networking? Do you know your local chapter president? Engage in regular discussions about job opportunities and stay connected with other chapters by attending their meetings. Are you on a first name basis with your chapter president? Does she/he personally know all about you and your family? Are they actively working with you to notify you of job openings in your area?

Leverage Local Opportunities Become a member of your local chamber of commerce. Attend all ribbon-cutting events for new medical offices, hospital wings, surgery centers, radiology departments, and other medical spaces, including medical supply companies. Networking at these events helps you build regional and national connections. Attend these in a pair of scrubs with resume in hand and just let them know you are a medical coder in the area and if they ever have a need, you are around and can help.

Attend every local health fair Attend these in a pair of scrubs with resume in hand and just let them know you are a medical coder in the area and if they ever have a need, you are around and can help. Pass your resume out to every home health agency, hospice, chiropractor, and dental office that often attend these events.

Federal and Software Opportunities Explore federal job opportunities, such as with the VA, and apply for job grants.

Think outside the box

Consider positions at software companies like EPIC, which need medical coders, and don't overlook medical clearinghouses.

Here is a list of some prominent Electronic Health Record (EHR) companies:

Epic Systems Corporation
Cerner Corporation
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions
Meditech
NextGen Healthcare
Athenahealth
eClinicalWorks
Greenway Health
GE Healthcare
McKesson Corporation
Kareo
Practice Fusion
AdvancedMD
InterSystems
CureMD
drchrono
Amazing Charts
Centricity (GE Healthcare)
CPSI (Computer Programs and Systems Inc.)
Nextech

Clearinghouses

Availity A leading healthcare clearinghouse that covers the entire United States, providing a wide range of services including claims management, eligibility verification, and payment processing.
Change Healthcare Operates nationwide in the U.S. and offers extensive clearinghouse services including claims submission, electronic remittance advice, and payer connectivity.
Emdeon (now Change Healthcare) Covers the U.S. and provides electronic data interchange (EDI) services, claims management, and revenue cycle management solutions.
Office Ally A nationwide clearinghouse that provides free claims submission services along with practice management solutions for healthcare providers in the U.S.
Trizetto Provider Solutions (part of Cognizant) Covers the U.S. and offers a range of services including claims processing, eligibility verification, and revenue cycle management.
ZirMed (now part of Waystar) Provides clearinghouse services across the U.S. with solutions for claims management, patient payment processing, and data analytics.
RelayHealth (part of Change Healthcare) Operates nationwide and provides healthcare connectivity services including claims processing, electronic remittance advice, and patient eligibility verification.
Optum360 Covers the U.S. and offers comprehensive revenue cycle management solutions including clearinghouse services, coding, and billing.
Claim.MD A nationwide clearinghouse that provides electronic claims submission, tracking, and reporting services for healthcare providers in the U.S.
Capario (now part of Change Healthcare) Offers clearinghouse services across the U.S. including claims submission, payment processing, and patient eligibility verification.

These clearinghouses provide essential services that help healthcare providers manage their revenue cycles, streamline claims processing, and ensure accurate and timely payments from payers.

Attend Events and Stay Visible Networking and attending events while letting people in your area know you are available to assist with medical coding can significantly boost your job prospects.

Job Boards and Websites: Utilize job search websites like Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and specialized healthcare job boards like AHIMA and AAPC.

Social Media: Engage in professional networks on social media platforms like LinkedIn. Join medical coding groups and participate in discussions.

Staffing Agencies: Register with staffing agencies that specialize in healthcare jobs. They often have exclusive listings and can help match you with suitable positions.

Here is a list of staffing agencies that specialize in helping medical coders find jobs:

Robert Half Healthcare Specializes in placing healthcare professionals, including medical coders, in temporary, temporary-to-hire, and full-time positions across the United States.
Aviacode Provides medical coding staffing services and often has openings for remote coding positions.
Maxim Healthcare Services Offers staffing solutions for various healthcare roles, including medical coders, with positions available nationwide.
Himagine Solutions Specializes in healthcare staffing, including medical coding and health information management roles, across the U.S.
Randstad Healthcare A well-known staffing agency that places medical coders in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and insurance companies.
Insight Global Provides staffing services for healthcare professionals, including medical coders, with opportunities in various regions.
On Assignment Healthcare Staffing (now part of ASGN Incorporated) Offers staffing services for medical coders and other healthcare professionals across the United States.
Solomon Page Healthcare & Life Sciences Provides staffing solutions for healthcare and life sciences sectors, including medical coding positions.
The Judge Group A professional services firm that offers staffing and consulting services, including for medical coders, across the U.S.
Aerotek Provides staffing solutions for a variety of industries, including healthcare, with a focus on placing medical coders in suitable positions.
Kforce Healthcare Specializes in staffing for healthcare roles, including medical coding, offering both temporary and permanent placement services.
Conifer Health Solutions Provides staffing services and often has openings for medical coders within their organization and through their network of healthcare partners.

Continuing Education and Certifications: Keep your skills and knowledge up to date with continuing education courses and certifications. This not only enhances your resume but also keeps you connected with industry professionals and job opportunities. CMS has free Certifications available online! Have you been to their website?

AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders)
AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association)
HCCA (Health Care Compliance Association)
PMI (Practice Management Institute)
NAMAS (National Alliance of Medical Auditing Specialists)
Healthicity
Medical Coding Academy
McGraw-Hill Education
Libman Education
CodingCertification.org
MEDCERTS
AudioEducator

Freelance and Contract Work: Explore freelance and contract opportunities. Websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and specialized medical coding platforms often have short-term projects that can lead to permanent positions.

Company Websites: Visit the career pages of healthcare facilities, insurance companies, and other organizations directly. Many companies post job openings exclusively on their websites.

medical coding jobs — Medical Coding by Jen

Professional Associations: Join professional associations such as AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) and AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders). They often have job boards and career resources.

National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)
American Medical Association (AMA)
American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Optum360
3M Health Information Systems
Ingenix (part of Optum)
Conifer Health Solutions
Aviacode
Maxim Health Information Services
MRA Health Information Services
MedPartners
GeBBS Healthcare Solutions
Ciox Health
nThrive
Change Healthcare
Precyse Solutions (now part of nThrive)
Himagine Solutions

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Networking Events and Conferences: Attend industry conferences, seminars, and workshops. These events provide opportunities to meet potential employers and learn about job openings.

Alumni Networks: Utilize alumni networks from your educational institutions. They can be a valuable resource for job leads and professional connections.

Volunteer Work: Consider volunteering at healthcare organizations or non-profits. This can help you gain experience, expand your network, and potentially lead to job offers.

Medical coders can volunteer in a variety of settings to gain experience, network, and contribute to their communities. Here are some places where medical coders can volunteer:

Hospitals and Clinics Many hospitals and clinics welcome volunteers to help with administrative tasks, including coding and billing support.
Non-Profit Organizations Non-profits that provide healthcare services often need assistance with medical coding and billing. Organizations like free clinics, community health centers, and international medical missions can benefit from volunteer coders.
Public Health Departments Local and state public health departments may have opportunities for volunteers to assist with coding and other administrative tasks.
Veterans Affairs (VA) Facilities VA hospitals and clinics often seek volunteers to support their administrative functions, including medical coding.
Medical Research Projects Research institutions and projects sometimes need volunteer coders to help with data management and coding of medical records for research purposes.
Educational Institutions Some schools and training programs may offer opportunities for advanced students or recent graduates to volunteer, providing coding support and gaining practical experience.
Professional Associations Organizations like AAPC or AHIMA may have volunteer opportunities for coders to assist with events, local chapters, or educational programs.
Senior Centers and Long-Term Care Facilities These facilities may need help with administrative tasks, including medical coding and billing.
Remote Volunteering Websites like VolunteerMatch and other volunteer matching platforms can connect coders with remote volunteer opportunities where they can offer their skills from home.
Disaster Relief Organizations Organizations like the Red Cross or Doctors Without Borders often need administrative support, including medical coding, during and after emergencies. Example: Fema and Red Cross.

Volunteering in these settings can help medical coders gain valuable experience, network with professionals in the field, and make a positive impact on their communities

Internships: Look for internship opportunities, even if they are unpaid. Internships can provide valuable experience and connections in the industry. Medical coders can seek externship opportunities in a variety of healthcare and related settings to gain practical experience and enhance their skills. Here are some places where medical coders can find externship opportunities:

Hospitals and Medical Centers Large hospitals and medical centers often offer externship programs for medical coders to gain hands-on experience in a real-world clinical setting.
Clinics and Physician Offices Smaller clinics and physician offices provide a more intimate setting for externs to learn and apply coding skills, often with more direct supervision and mentorship.
Insurance Companies Health insurance companies need medical coders to review claims and ensure proper coding for billing and reimbursement. Externships here can provide valuable experience in the payer side of healthcare.
Healthcare Consulting Firms Consulting firms that specialize in healthcare often look for externs to assist with coding audits, compliance reviews, and other coding-related projects.
Billing and Coding Services Companies Companies that provide outsourced medical billing and coding services can offer externships to help coders gain experience in various specialties and types of medical coding.
Public Health Departments Local and state public health departments sometimes offer externships for medical coders to assist with coding for public health records and other administrative tasks.
Veterans Affairs (VA) Facilities VA hospitals and clinics may offer externships for medical coders, providing experience in a government healthcare setting.
Non-Profit Healthcare Organizations Non-profits that provide medical services often offer externship opportunities to help with coding and billing, especially in underserved areas.
Educational Institutions Some schools and training programs have partnerships with healthcare facilities to offer externship placements for their students. Local community colleges are a great place for externships.
Medical Research Projects Research institutions may have externships for coders to assist with coding for research studies and clinical trials.
Rehabilitation Centers Rehabilitation facilities often need coders to ensure accurate billing and coding for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other rehab services.
Long-Term Care and Assisted Living Facilities These facilities require accurate medical coding for patient care services, offering externship opportunities for those interested in working with older populations.
Medical Supply and Equipment Companies Companies that provide medical supplies and equipment may offer externships to help with coding for billing and inventory purposes.