SingleMothers.us
Medical billing and coding jobs for single mothers
Turn the notes from each patient visit into the codes insurers pay on. The work is done on screen, which is why so much of it can be done from home.
What the job is
Medical coders read the record of a patient visit and assign the standard code for each diagnosis and procedure. Billers use those codes to build insurance claims, send them and follow up when a claim is denied or underpaid. In a small practice one person often does both.
The work is careful and screen-based. Accuracy matters more than speed at the start, because a wrong code can delay payment or get a claim denied.
Pay
| Measure | Yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10 percent earned less than | $37,000 |
| Median | $51,140 |
| Highest 10 percent earned more than | $81,150 |
The median hourly wage was $24.59. Figures are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which counts coders as medical records specialists: see its Occupational Outlook Handbook page.
Training and certification
AAPC CPC
The Certified Professional Coder credential from AAPC. The training assumes a working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and pathophysiology, and AAPC offers prerequisite courses for people without it. If you pass without two years of coding experience, AAPC adds an A, for apprentice, to the credential (CPC-A) until you meet its experience or training rules. Keeping the credential means annual AAPC membership and 36 continuing education units every two years.
AHIMA CCA
The Certified Coding Associate credential from AHIMA. You need a high school diploma to sit the exam, and AHIMA recommends coding experience or a coding program first.
What BLS says
Medical records specialists typically need a postsecondary certificate to start. Employers may prefer certified applicants, or expect certification soon after hiring.
How we screen for coding roles
Credentials
We check any credential you list against the issuing body’s public lookup where one exists.
Specialties and systems
We ask which specialties you have coded and which billing systems you have used, so we can match you with similar practices.
Accuracy
We ask how your work has been audited and what your accuracy results were, if you have them.
Your setup
For remote roles, we check that you have a private space for patient records and the internet connection the employer requires.
Questions about medical billing and coding jobs
Do I need a certificate to get a coding job?
Usually. BLS says medical records specialists typically need a postsecondary certificate, and many employers prefer or expect a credential such as the AAPC CPC or AHIMA CCA.
Is medical coding really done from home?
Often, though new coders may start on site to learn the employer’s systems before moving home. We ask each employer about this before we introduce you.
What is the difference between billing and coding?
Coders turn the medical record into standard codes. Billers use those codes to send claims to insurers and follow up on payment. Many jobs combine both.
Send us your coding experience
Tell us your credential, the specialties you have coded and the hours you can keep. We look for billing and coding roles that fit.