Health Information Management Jobs are in High Demand

The shift in the technology landscape is creating a huge demand for skilled coding specialists. Those coding specialists that have experience and certification are finding the job market wide open where they can have the pick of the litter. The best opportunities go to coders with a degree in health-information management and the credential of health-information technician. With an upcoming overhaul of the International Classification of Diseases directory, coding professionals will be required to assimilate new technology and many more codes. Medical coders are not only valuable players but are key in maintaining profitability.

According to the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), job openings have doubled the past two years and remain on the rise. The significant growth in job openings has lead to increased salaries for coders. The placement agency and staffing firm, Kforce, has recently reported that 62 percent of coding professionals earn anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000 per year. And nearly half of managers bring in between $40,000 to $60,000. Salaries can be even higher for consultants contracted by staffing firms.

Dr. Claire Dixon-Lee, the Chicago-based association's vice president for education and accreditation was quoted in The Seattle Times as saying "Coders need to be highly trained in reimbursement requirements, biomedical sciences, pathophysiology and privacy practices to maintain compliance with government and insurance regulations."

Medical Coders are finding that increased responsibilities, a technology shift, and bottom-line direct effect of their work mean rosy prospects for the future.

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