Medical coding is the process of collecting and organizing documentation found in a patient's medical record—including services provided, procedures done and patient diagnoses—into alphabetic and numeric codes. These medical codes are then used to bill for services and procedures for payment to providers and facilities. Coded medical information also provides data for health research and state and federal reporting. Medical billers and coders are one piece of the workflow process in healthcare provider organizations to ensure a patient’s health information is complete, accurate and protected.

The projected growth of medical records and health information technician jobs from 2018–2028 is projected to grow much faster than average—at 11% versus an average of 5% for other jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.5

Earning your Medical Billing and Coding Certificate is a great first step to enter the field. You may also need to complete some additional medical billing and coding training and obtain certification. Check out our 5-Step Guide to Become a Medical Coder for more information.

You can complete your Medical Billing and Coding Certificate in as few as 9 months.2

Rasmussen University utilizes AHIMA^® virtual labs to help students prepare for the workplace. Courses designed specifically for the lab applications allow students to test their skills and decision-making abilities.

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is a global nonprofit of health information professionals who work with health data for more than a billion patient visits each year. For nearly a century, AHIMA has helped improve health record quality by taking a leadership role in the effective management of health data and information and delivering quality healthcare to the public.