| One does not need to have medical coding | | | | Having medical coding certification gives the |
| certification to work as a medical coder. Unlike | | | | individual a competitive edge. Just having it listed |
| other healthcare professions, which require | | | | down on one's resume provides proof that the |
| intensive training and several years' worth of | | | | person has studied well and is qualified to work in |
| book knowledge and practical experience, the | | | | her chosen career. Certified coders are more |
| tasks relegated to medical coders are relatively | | | | likely to be immediately hired and given higher |
| more mechanical and therefore easier to learn | | | | compensation. They are also more likely to be |
| whether or not one has had any kind of medical | | | | recognized for higher positions after just a short |
| training before. | | | | term of experience within the healthcare |
| Medical classification is the process of | | | | institution. |
| transforming descriptions of medical diagnoses and | | | | To become a certified medical coder, one will |
| procedures taken from a variety of sources | | | | have to pass a special certification exam. |
| within the medical record into universal medical | | | | Depending on the program they have enrolled |
| code numbers. These diagnosis codes are used to | | | | themselves in, individuals who are just starting to |
| track different diseases and are a valuable source | | | | learn about medical classification can take the |
| of information that may influence such sectors as | | | | exam once they have passed their medical coding |
| government health agencies, private health | | | | course. What awaits after is a flexible, stable and |
| insurance companies and worker's compensation | | | | financially rewarding career in the flourishing |
| carriers. | | | | healthcare industry. |