Would you like to work from home in an occupation that is in high demand? Do the medical and healthcare fields interest you? Then perhaps a work from home medical coding and billing job is your calling.
To work as a medical coder and biller, you’ll need to have familiarity with health information management (HIM), medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and medical record coding, and you should be detail-oriented.
Most employers require billers to obtain a professional coding certification. Fortunately, certification is possible in a matter of 4-12 months with online training available.
While experience in the medical field isn’t required, if you’ve worked in healthcare before, becoming a coding and billing specialist is a great way to apply your skills and knowledge with the flexibility of working from home.
What is Medical Coding and Billing?
Every time a doctor interacts with a patient, a code is assigned to their action. Physical exams, lab tests, procedures, and treatments are all assigned a code. These numeric codes are called “Current Procedural Terminology” or CPT codes. Each diagnosis is also coded with the “International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems” or ICD-10 code. This universal numeric language ensures that doctors, healthcare providers, and insurance companies use consistent terminology and codes.
Your job as a medical coder and biller is to review the charting done by the doctor, nurse, or medical specialist and ensure that it goes onto a “bill” or form submitted to insurance companies for reimbursement. Some coders check for accuracy and overlapping codes, while others focus on insurance regulations and billing requirements. Medical billers and coders must keep up with ever-changing codes and evolving information in the healthcare industry. Medical billing specialists help prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and errors within the medical industry by ensuring patients and insurance companies are invoiced correctly.
How Much Do Medical Coders and Billers Earn?
Medical billers and coders are in demand! According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the outlook for medical records and health information specialists is projected to grow at a rate of 8% in the next ten years. Due to this growth, income, and opportunities for medical billing and coding professionals are steadily increasing. On average, medical coders earn $22.69 per hour, with an average salary of around $47,180 annually. Coders and billers can earn higher pay by continuing to train and specialize in areas like psychiatry, oncology, rheumatology, and more.
Independent Contractor vs. Employee Status: What You Need to Know
Many work at home medical billing specialists work as independent contractors. This means they’re responsible for setting their own hours and fees. It also means as a 1099 contractor, they’re in charge of reporting income and filing their own taxes. Independent contractors take on as many or as few jobs as they like. Contractors are often responsible for providing their own equipment (including computers and printers) and invoicing the contracting business for their services.
Employees, on the other hand, work for a company directly. The company dictates hours and parameters such as pay and benefits. Being an employee offers structure and stability but at the cost of flexibility. There are pros and cons for both situations, but if you’re working from home as an independent contractor, you’ll have the freedom and the opportunity to work with multiple clients.
Research the pros and cons of becoming a 1099 contractor before you begin. Keep in mind that classifications can vary by state, so be sure to check with your local Labor Department and the Department of Workforce Development.
Medical Coding and Billing Education Requirements
To become a medical coder and biller, most employers require certification through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) or the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Because the job is highly detailed and there’s a lot of information to absorb, even those with a medical background, such as nursing, will find it helpful to take a medical billing training program.
There are many courses and certification programs offered online in various specialties, which you’ll want to explore further. At AAPC, you can talk to a career counselor to determine which path is right for you.
Here are just some of the areas you can get certified in:
- Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
- Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC)
- Certified Outpatient Coder (COC)
- Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC)
- Certified Pediatrics Coder (CPEDC)
- Certified Obstetrics Gynecology Coder (COBGC)
What Companies Hire Remote Medical Coders and Billers?
If you’re looking for medical billing and coding jobs, there are a few resources you should explore. If you were previously employed in the healthcare industry, you might want to network with your former employers and coworkers. Ask how they’re currently handling their office billing and if they’re outsourcing through a company or handling it all in-house.
If you just took a course and obtained your certification, check to see if your school or training program offers help with career placement.
One thing to note: like many other professions, many healthcare companies will want you to have at least 1 year of experience. This may mean that you’ll need to work in a traditional office setting to get some experience under your belt.
1. Aviacode
Aviacode is one of the largest medical coding companies in the US. All coders must be AAPC or AHIMA certified and pass a preliminary test. Employment is offered part-time, full-time with benefits, and per diem (work 1-40 hours per week) basis.
- Most positions require experience
2. Change Healthcare
Change Healthcare actively recruits coders from July to November. You must have CRC, CPC, or CCS-P certification through AHIMA or AAPC.
- Hires new and experienced coders
3. The Cigna Group
The Cigna Group hires remote HCC coding auditors, medical coders, and Medicare medical records coders. Coders must have some type of coding certification, such as CPC, CCS-P, CCS-H, RHIA, or RHIT.
- Most positions require at least 1 year of experience
4. Conifer Health Solutions
Conifer Health Solutions hires inpatient coders, edit coders, as well as senior and specialty coders. You must have a degree in Health Information, Nursing, or formal coding training. Positions come with benefits like paid time off and a retirement plan.
- Most positions require 1-3 years of experience
5. CSI Companies
CSI Companies is a staffing agency that connects businesses with medical coders and billers. To locate the work from home positions, filter your search by checking the remote and medical coding checkboxes. Positions are location-dependent, and you’ll start off working as an independent contractor.
- Most positions require 1-3 years of experience, but I have seen postings for entry-level workers
6. CVS Health
CVS Health hires certified medical coders to work from home! Often, these positions are part of the Aetna, Medicaid, or Medicare partnership with CVS. Most of these remote jobs can be done from any state in the US.
- Most positions require 3 years of experience and coding certification from AAPC
7. Gainwell
Gainwell occasionally hires certified coders to perform audits of medical records to determine the accuracy of the codes billed on insurance claims. Some positions are fully remote, while others are hybrid work arrangements.
- Most roles require 2 years of experience
8. Humana
Humana hires remote coding specialists and supervisors. For these positions, you’ll need a CCA, CCS, CPC, or CPC-A Certification through AAPC or AHIMA. These positions are location-dependent, and Humana provides a wide variety of benefits.
- No experience is required; however, they do prefer candidates with 2 years of experience or an associate’s degree.
9. GeBBS Healthcare Solutions
GeBBS Healthcare Solutions hires medical coders from the US, India, and the Philippines. Positions tend to be location-dependent and require the appropriate certification and training. Full-time positions also come with a host of benefits.
- Most positions require 1-3 years of experience, but I’ve seen postings for entry-level positions
10. iMedX
iMedX hires a variety of medical coders from Atlanta, Georgia. They have part-time and full-time positions, requiring individuals to have gone through a formal coding program.
- Most positions require 3-5 years of experience
11. Mayo Clinic
The Mayo Clinic hires certified coders in one of the following areas: Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), CPC, or CCS.
- New coders must work onsite for one year and then are eligible for remote work options
12. R1
R1 hires remote coders based in the US. Most of the positions are for full-time hours and require CCS-P or CPC certification.
- Positions require prior coding experience
13. TCN
TCN hires remote coders in a variety of specialties. You must live and work in the US and have one of the following certifications CPC, CCS, RHIA, RHIT, or RCC.
- Must have 3-5 years of experience
14. UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group hires remote, US-based coders in a wide variety of specialties. Coders must have a high school diploma and CPC, CCS, RHIT, or RHIA certification.
- Must have prior experience
If you’re still struggling to find work from home medical coding and billing jobs, you can always reach out to medical practices, healthcare facilities, health insurance companies, staffing agencies, and physician offices in your area to see if they are hiring. FlexJobs, Indeed, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, Upwork, and Monster are other places to find remote medical coding and billing jobs.
Watch Out for Medical Coding and Billing Scams
Unfortunately, many scams exist that prey on students seeking training in the medical coding and billing industry. In fact, there are so many scams out there that the FTC has launched an investigation and crackdown on many of the scammers. Be aware there are many scams promising instant work or 30-day training programs.
If you hear of opportunities that sound too good to be true or guarantee employment right away, your radar should go off. Medical billing and coding positions require months of training and certification. They may also require you to learn on the job or gain some experience before you find work-at-home opportunities. The training service should be associated with and endorsed by professional groups like the AAPC or the AHIMA. Look for medical coding and billing training companies accredited by the Better Business Bureau as well.
Remote Medical Coding and Billing Wrap-Up
Becoming a medical biller or coder is a great work at home opportunity. There are certainly many positions available if you’ve gone through the right training and certification. If you’d enjoy working in the medical field, billing and coding is a great area to explore!
Check out this post for more work from home careers in the medical field.
Have you considered working as a medical coding and billing specialist? Do you know someone who is working in this field? Drop us a note below; we’d love to hear from you!
Originally published March 26, 2018. Content updated November 2023.
I have six years of billing and coding experience. But I have been out of the workforce for the last four years. I have had one neck and two back surgeries. I would like to be able to work from home to earn extra income. What would I need to do to get information on getting back to the workforce? Thanks for any help.
Hi Judy,
Is your certification still valid? If not, I would suggest getting that renewed. You may also want to take a refresher course and include that on your resume, so that employers know that your skills are fresh.
I am experienced Medical Coder, worked 13 yrs as one, not certified, took a course on line, but did not get certified. Should I take refresher course before certification?
Would like to work from home doing this, love the work.
It depends. Is the knowledge fresh in your head that you’d be able to pass the exam? Or do you feel unsure? If you’re unsure, I would suggest taking the refresher.
Thank’s, seriously thinking about the refresher course do want to get back into the work force.
Hi,
My name is Julia and I have thought about the Medical Billing and Coding in order to work from. But as you said, most of the jobs require you to be experience and I am a Retired Registered Nurse. I just don’t want to go back into a Medical facility in order to get the training and hope to possibly get a remote job. I am very concern about the COVID-19 and Delta Virus if I were to get a job outside of the home. Do you have any suggestions?
Hi Julia,
I know that retired RN, Tricia Mitchell, was able to get a job right out of training. You can read her story here: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/medical-coding-and-billing/ Her email address is listed in that interview. She welcomes questions from aspiring medical coders and billers. She took her training through CareerStep.
Also, The Remote Nurse Group on Facebook is an excellent place to ask questions: https://www.facebook.com/groups/remotenursingjobs
Good luck, and keep me posted!
I am a very detailed oriented person. My husband and I used to have our own business (restaurant/bed & Breakfast), and I am proficient in bookkeeping & Quickbooks. Back when making websites was not easy, I learned HTML (thru online courses) and did my own websites for our business using HTML coding. I also took an income tax course, & did income taxes for HRBlock for 5 years. I had to quit due to caring for my mother. The reason I tell you this is that I think you can see from my work in bookkeeping, HTML, & Taxes that I am a detailed person. I’ve thought about medical billing & coding many times thru the years. Sadly, my mother recently passed away & I’m thinking again about medical billing & coding. But this is my question: I am 64 years old and have no medical training background (except the experience of caring for my mother & her many medicines, doctors appoints). So with being 64 yrs old and no medical background, I am concerned about spending the time & money to take a course and then not being able to find work. how much would my age & no medical background hold me back? (As even though I am almost retirement age, I will not have any retirement coming in except social security, so I do need the income.)
Hi Mona,
I’m so sorry for your loss.
You’ll need to take a training course to apply as a medical biller and coder. Sometimes, you can work your way on up with a company and they’ll train you. Training takes about 4-6 months through CareerStep.
Have you thought about bookkeeping or becoming a tax preparer since you already have experience in those fields?
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/work-from-home-bookkeeper/
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/become-a-tax-preparer/
I completed an online MBC certification program because I wanted a career that would allow me to work from home. However, no one told me that most employers require at least one year, or sometimes more, of medical coding experience for those applying for remote positions. I spent over a year and a lot of money for a certificate that is basically useless to me if I don’t also have coding experience. I am by no means trying to tell you what to do, but you may want to check available positions’ requirements before making a decision.
Thanks for sharing this Deanna.
It’s not uncommon for employers to want one year of experience before allowing individuals to work from home; this is true for nurses and many other professions in the medical field. I have met some individuals who had previous experience in a hospital setting, not medical coding and billing, that were able to work from home immediately.
You definitely need to do thorough research and weigh all the pros and cons before making a decision.
Hi I’m Latika,
I was working before but now I got married so I’m looking for medical coding from home. I have 3 yrs of experience in medical coding.
If I only see up to 10 clients a week at this point, at I do other things. Is there a place to go to find someone who would take me? It’s my worst thing and I end up filing late and working free. Terrible. I’m sure I’d take more clients if I didn’t have to deal with that. I’ve been doing my own for 20 years. I generally keep a smaller caseload these days. So much to do. So little time:)
Thanks for any wisdom. Brenda
Hi Brenda,
To clarify, you want to continue to work from home, but instead of freelancing, you want to work as a W2 employee?
Hi,
I am an Indian. I have 3 years of experience in medical coding. Now I have a kid and I want to do medical coding at home. Can You able to help me please.
Thanking You,
Soumya
I’m not certain what medical coding and billing companies are hiring in India.
Check out FlexJobs for international listings:
https://www.flexjobs.com/jobs/international?sub=1033 (affiliate link)
Good luck!
Hi,
I am Devi from India, I am looking for a home-based medical coding position. I have 6 years of experience in surgery, IVR, ASA, and coding. Do you have any jobs?
Thank you,
Devi Srinivash
The majority of our job leads are geared toward US residents.
Check out this post for opportunities available worldwide: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/worldwide-work-from-home-jobs/
Good luck on your job search!
Hi,
I have 5+ years of experience in medical coding in ED FACILITY specialty. Currently working in Gebbs health care solutions Mumbai
Now am looking for work at home job. Suggest to me the best companies which provide work at home.
The majority of our job leads are geared toward US residents.
Check out this post for opportunities available worldwide:
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/worldwide-work-from-home-jobs/
Good luck on your job search!
Hello, I’m Ipsita
I am goinh to start my course this August, and i m from India. I was wondering if you had a list of companies that would hire for remote jobs in India?
I don’t. My focus is on companies in the US.
I’m from India,can I take up the course and then practice
I know the course is online, so that shouldn’t be an issue. I’m just not sure that US companies would hire help outside the country. And I don’t know about billing and coding companies in India — something you’d need to research.
Hi I have a billing and coding position now but I have 2 kids that I’ve adopted and would like to work from home can you please direct me in the right direction? Thank you in advance!
Hi Delicia,
The companies listed above hire remote billers and coders — just click on the name of the company and apply.
Good luck and keep us posted!
Hello I am working full time for a big orthopedic practice as senior account representative and previously worked for state hospital for over 15 yrs. I would like to work part time billing job from home as well to earn extra money . Can you give me more information?
Thank you
Hi Richa,
The companies listed above hire remote billers and coders — just click on the name of the company and apply.
Good luck and keep us posted!
My is name Lizavance. Can I work from home? I’m a nurse and I’m interested to work as a medical coder but I don’t know how to start
You’ll need to take a training course (CareerStep has one) so that you can learn the different billing codes (CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10) that insurance companies use.
This gal, Tricia, was a nurse and made the leap to medical coding and billing. She took CareerSteps online course.
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/medical-coding-and-billing/
I am Shakeel Ahmed having six years of experience in the field of medical coding. Currently, I am doing ED facility audit and having exposure of IVR. I need home based coding possible. I will provide you good quality work with low price.
Hi Shakeel,
The Work at Home Woman is not a hiring agency, but a career resource for job leads, ideas, and information. Please follow up directly with companies that are listed on this post.
Good luck with your job search!
Hello my name is ankit. Can i work from home in this field. Pls rply 9571228084
My qualification is masters in computer science
You’ll need to take a training course (CareerStep has one) so that you can learn the different billing codes (CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10) that insurance companies use.
Good evening Can I please request further information. Thank you
Hi Sharon,
What do you need additional info on? Training? If so, I recommend CareerStep: https://bit.ly/2ITJxsI You can request additional information in the right upper hand corner of their website.
If it’s something else, let me know, and I will try and point you in the right direction.
Can I have further information
Hi Grace,
What exactly do you need additional info on?
Let me know, and I can point you in the right direction.