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Medical Billing and Coding Career Paths: What You Can Do With Your Certification 

Mechel McKinney

Published: | Last Updated:

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Medical billing and coding is one of the most accessible entry points into the healthcare industry. You don’t need a four-year degree to get started. You can be working in less than a year. Once you’re in, there are multiple directions your career can go. 

The BLS projects employment of medical records specialists to grow 7 percent from 2024 to 2034. That’s much faster than the average for all occupations with about 14,200 openings projected each year.1 Health information technologists, a closely related field that many billing and coding professionals move into, are projected to grow even faster at 15 percent over the same period.2  

Here’s a look at the different career paths available to medical billing and coding professionals, what each one involves, and how to move between them.  

What Does a Medical Biller and Coder Do?

Medical billers and coders are the link between patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies. When a patient receives care, someone has to translate that care into a standardized code so it can be billed correctly and reimbursed. 

That’s the job. 

More specifically, a medical biller and coder will:  

  • Read patient charts and medical records 
  • Assign the correct diagnosis and procedure codes 
  • Submit claims to insurance companies 
  • Follow up on unpaid or denied claims 
  • Maintain and protect patient data 
  • Ensure records comply with HIPAA regulations 

The main coding systems you’ll work with are ICD-10-CM (diagnosis codes), CPT (procedure codes), and HCPCS Level II (equipment and supplies). Knowing these systems well is the foundation of the job.  

Medical Billing and Coding Career Paths

Entry-Level: Medical Biller and Coder

This is where most people start. As an entry-level biller and coder, you’ll work in a clinical or administrative setting, assigning codes to patient records and submitting insurance claims. 

You can work in:  

  • Physician offices and medical clinics 
  • Hospitals 
  • Nursing care facilities 
  • Home health agencies 
  • Health insurance companies 
  • Remote and work-from-home positions 

Bryan University’s Medical Billing and Coding Undergraduate Certificate prepares you for this role in about 10 months. The program covers all three major coding systems, medical terminology, EHR software, and healthcare reimbursement. It also includes preparation for the AHIMA Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam, with the cost of one exam attempt included in your tuition. 

Recommended: Bryan University Graduate Amanda Harper’s Journey from Certificate to Bachelor’s Degree

Specialist: Cancer Registrar/Oncology Data Specialist (ODS)

One of the most in-demand specialist roles in billing and coding is the cancer registrar, officially known as an Oncology Data Specialist (ODS). Cancer registrars work specifically with oncology records. They review patient charts and pathology reports, assign codes to cancer diagnoses and treatments, and conduct follow-up analysis. 

This role requires a strong understanding of ICD-O coding (the oncology-specific coding system) and is typically found in hospitals, cancer centers, and research institutions. It’s a growing specialty as demand for detailed disease-specific data increases across the healthcare industry. 

Advanced: Health Information Technician or Manager

With more experience and additional credentials, medical billing and coding professionals often move into health information management (HIM). This path involves overseeing the systems and processes that manage patient health data beyond just coding and billing. 

Health information technologists and medical registrars are projected to grow 15 percent from 2024 to 2034, making this one of the faster-growing paths in the field. 

Bryan University’s Associate Degree in Health Information Management and Support Services builds directly on the billing and coding certificate. All credits stack, so you can pursue both at the same time and enter the workforce sooner while continuing toward your degree. 

Recommended: Health Information Management Degree: Career Paths, Timeline, and What to Expect in 2026 

Management: Medical and Health Services Manager

With enough experience and education, billing and coding professionals can advance into management roles. Medical and health services managers oversee the administrative operations of healthcare facilities, including the billing and coding departments. 

The BLS projects this role to grow 23 percent from 2024 to 2034, with about 62,100 openings projected each year; that makes it one of the fastest-growing management roles in any industry.3

Getting there takes time and education, but it’s a realistic long-term goal for someone who starts in billing and coding and continues building their credentials. 

Self-Employed: Remote Medical Biller and Coder

One of the most appealing things about this career is the option to work for yourself. Many experienced billers and coders work as independent contractors. They take on clients remotely and code records and submit claims from home. 

In this model, a healthcare facility provides you with patient charts and access to their billing system. You code the records and manage their claimsfrom your own home office. It offers flexibility, control over your schedule, and the potential to earn more as you build your client base. 

Remote billing and coding roles, both employed and self-employed, have grown significantly in recent years and are now one of the most searched career paths in this field.  

What Certifications Should You Pursue?

Certification makes a meaningful difference in this field. Here are the most recognized credentials:

CertificationIssuing BodyBest For
CCA — Certified Coding AssociateAHIMAEntry-level coders
CPC — Certified Professional CoderAAPCOutpatient/physician office coding
RHIT — Registered Health Information TechnicianAHIMAHealth information management
CCS — Certified Coding SpecialistAHIMAHospital inpatient coding

Recommended: Medical Billing and Coding Credentials 2026: CCA, CCS, RHIT & More

The CCA is the most common starting point for new coders. Bryan University prepares students for the CCA exam and covers the cost of one attempt as part of tuition. As you gain experience, you can layer on additional credentials to qualify for more advanced and higher-paying roles. 

One important note for 2026: all AHIMA exams now require the 2026 code books for any exam taken on or after May 1, 2026. Make sure you have the correct edition before you schedule your test.    

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a degree to become a medical biller and coder?

No. A certificate program is the standard entry point. Most programs take under a year to complete and prepare you for national certification exams. An associate degree expands your career options and can lead to higher pay over time. 

Can medical billers and coders work from home?

Yes, it’s one of the most remote-friendly careers in healthcare. Many hospitals, clinics, and third-party billing companies hire fully remote coders. Self-employed billers and coders also work entirely from home. 

What is the difference between medical billing and medical coding?

Medical coders translate clinical documentation into standardized codes. Medical billers use those codes to submit claims to insurance companies and manage reimbursement. In many entry-level roles, especially in smaller practices, one person handles both functions. 

What is ICD-10 and why does it matter?

ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) is the coding system used to classify diagnoses and medical conditions. Every diagnosis a patient receives has an ICD-10 code. Knowing ICD-10 well is a core requirement for any medical coder. 

How long does it take to become a certified medical biller and coder?

With an accelerated online program, you can be ready to sit for your CCA exam in about 10 months. Bryan University’s stacked program allows you to pursue your billing and coding certificate and your associate degree at the same time so you can enter the workforce sooner while continuing toward your degree. 

Is medical billing and coding a good career in 2026?

Yes. With 7 percent projected job growth for medical records specialists and 15 percent for health information technologists through 2034, the field offers steady demand and a clear path to advancement. Remote work availability, accessible training timelines, and multiple career tracks make it one of the more practical healthcare careers to enter in 2026. 

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Medical Records Specialists. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, last modified August 28, 2025. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm ↩︎
  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, last modified August 28, 2025. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/health-information-technologists-and-medical-registrars.htm ↩︎
  3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Medical and Health Services Managers. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, last modified August 28, 2025. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm ↩︎

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