Short Training Period

• Most medical billers and coders only need a two-year associate degree to start working in this field, which can take less time and money than a typical four-year bachelor's degree. After the degree, you need to pass a written exam to get credentialed in the field by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), which offers the Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT) credential. You can earn additional credentials through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), the Board of Medical Specialty Coding (BMSC) or the Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialists (PAHCS). There are special coding certifications available as well, such as the Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) offered by the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA).
  
  

Comfortable Work Environments

• As a medical coder and biller, you might work in health care settings like hospitals or clinics. Regardless of the kind of facility you end up in, chances are you'll be in a nice, quiet office where you can concentrate. If you're going to code all those records accurately, that means your employer will want your work environment free from distractions. However, don't believe the schemes out there that promise you can do medical billing and coding from home. According to the Federal Trade Commission, most companies who promise this are running scams; they'll usually take your money, then send you illegitimate information and computer software that may not even work.
  
  

In-Demand

• Health care providers are turning more and more to medical billing and coding specialists to help keep their records organized and to process their patients' claims. Hiring a trained specialist eliminates the burden of having to take other key personnel away from their main duties to maintain records, and it means there's someone around who's familiar with all the billing and coding regulations. This can mean more job opportunities for someone just starting out in the field.
  
  

Sector Growth

• The job outlook for medical billing and coding specialists is excellent. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that through 2018 this job will grow by at least 20 percent. Those who begin working in this field can therefore expect a good deal of job security and stability over the course of their career, as well as plenty of opportunity for advancement.