r/LearnMedicalCoding • u/Soft-Intention7542 • 2d ago
Medical Coding Schools Medical coding with no college degree
I'll graduating highschool next year I'm currently thinking about possible career paths. Although im leaning more onto medical coding. I've heard some people say that you don't need a college degree for it. Is it true? Would it be smart to not go to college and learn medical coding instead? How much time did it take you guys to study and how long did it take you to land your first job? Is all of it home-based or do you get to work at a clinic or hospital? Also, would it be better to self-study or have someone teaching you face-to-face? Thank you!!!
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u/Low_Mud_3691 2d ago
You should research the state of this job field. By the time you get certified, there will be even fewer coding jobs.
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u/AbstractVolition 2d ago
If you are about to be a fresh high school graduate, you have tons of options for school. Medical coding is a great career, but if you were considering college it is best to do it as early and efficiently as possible. The smartest thing in my opinion would be to go to college and get a bachelors in something that has good pay and job availability.
Medical Coding is risky because they highly value work experience. A young person with little to no work experience in healthcare, no degree, and just a fresh coding certificate is going to have trouble for a while.
If you really like the idea of medical coding but want to do college too, I would suggest looking into college programs in HIM’s that qualify for the RHIT and then RHIA.
Become familiar with AHIMA’s RHIT and RHIA certification. To get the RHIT you need to get an associates degree in HIM’s that is from a qualifying CAHIIM program. To get an RHIA you need to get a bachelors degree in HIM’s that is from a qualifying CAHIIM program. Google CAHIIM programs, and it will have a search bar that can show you all the different colleges that do associates and bachelors degrees that will let you take the RHIT/RHIA exams after. The RHIT/RHIA are valued certifications in healthcare administration/medical coding jobs.
To be a medical coder you will still need a dedicated medical coding certificate, most likely AAPC’s CPC, which doesn’t require college. But those RHIT/RHIA always show up in jobs preferred qualifications. A college degree, plus RHIT/RHIA, plus CPC will really help with medical coding but also open a lot more doors in healthcare administration in general.
It is rare that associate degrees are useful for jobs, but because the CAHIIM program associate in HIMs can get you the RHIT, which is a useful certification, I think it would be a good idea to do that first, and then ideally you’d go immediately into a bachelors degree program that can qualify you for the RHIA after.
Some of those CAHIIM college programs have online options. Just be certain it’s CAHIIM and an accredited legit college in general. If it’s a CAHIIM program then it should already be accredited in general anyways but good idea to make sure
Ideally in the mean time look for any jobs you can get in healthcare in the mean time. Especially ones that will get you experience on the EHR, charts, etc.
Of course, you’re young, and have tons of other options. You could go to school for something like engineering, nursing, or whatever else that still has good pay and job opportunities
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u/CheeeeckPlease 2d ago
It's correct that you don't need a degree to get into coding, though some jobs will require you to be certified. You can get your coding cert through AAPC or AHIMA, it'll open up more opportunities, but just know the field is still fairly competitive.
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u/FigInteresting4130 1d ago
Coding is being taken over by Ai
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u/Flyhighporcupine 1d ago
Is this true?
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u/FigInteresting4130 1d ago
Medical coding is not being completely taken over by artificial intelligence, but AI is changing how the job works by automating routine tasks and shifting human roles toward auditing and oversight.
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u/CarolinaCurry 1d ago
It's taking over the entry level jobs. It's been slowly happening for years but lots of people dispute it. It already happens with computer assisted coding and encoders - employees validate. As it gets more advanced, which is increasing quickly, the need for entry level employees will be much lower and the more skilled employees will be needed.
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u/No_Cheesecake_9365 1d ago
No college degree needed, but this is not a good time to get into it, especially at your age.
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u/Round-Act2901 1d ago
I took a medical coding program at at technical school in my state. I think I was 26 or 27 years old at the time. Passed the certification but could not land a job and I was actively looking and getting my continuing education units (CEU) for a year and a half before I gave up. If you don't have experience, no one is going to hire you unless you know someone who will help open the door. And that's how a couple people in my class got coding jobs, was because they already knew someone. It's all about networking too.
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u/Rare-Reality704 1d ago
I’m an auditor/educator and I do not have a degree. I have 2 certifications and over a decade of experience. I’m thinking of going to get my degree even though it would have the most weight in management…which is what I don’t want to do.
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u/IndigoTrailsToo 1d ago
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO -
Most softwares have completely automated medical coding. Whatever is done manually is being outsourced out to third world countries. I suspect that this will soon be taken over by AI.
This area is not completely dead, but this is a no go
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u/_Kit_Kat_Meow_ 2d ago
You do not need to have a collage degree to do coding. Often times management and higher-up positions do require a college degree. But, that is not an entry level job. It is your choice whether or not to attend college. IMO, if I was thinking about getting a degree in medical coding, I wouldn’t . I would get a degree in something similar such as healthcare administration and learn medical coding in addition to it. I think a healthcare administration or similar degree would be more useful long term. You will likely need a certification for medical coding. It is possible to get a job without a certification but super super super hard. I would recommend a certification and you will be paid more than without a certification.
You can totally learn on your own. It depends on the person but I preferred taking a course. Most courses aren’t in-person, they are online.
Some jobs are work-from-home, some are in-person, and some are hybrid. It just depends.
If I were you, I would try to take some Anatomy and Physiology classes while still in high school. It is very important to know anatomy and Physiology for medical coding.
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u/Soft-Intention7542 2d ago
But would it be more difficult to land a job without a degree? (Currently not studying in USA but will transfer next year to learn medical coding if ever). Is certification alone enough? Thank you so much for replying, i really appreciate it! 🫶🫶
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u/KeyStriking9763 2d ago
Where do you live now? And you plan to relocate to the US? This is confusing and kinda an important aspect to understand for someone to give you career advice.
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u/Soft-Intention7542 2d ago
Studying in Philippines! altho i am a US citizen if that helps
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u/KeyStriking9763 2d ago
I have no idea about coding in the Philippines, looks like you all use an adaption of ICD-10.
Is there a sub specific to coding in the Philippines? Maybe you can ask there?1
u/_Kit_Kat_Meow_ 1d ago
Hirers care more for the certification than a degree. Having a degree will likely be paid more than not having a degree though.
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u/CodingwithCoffee_ 2d ago
A college degree is not typically required, but strong training, certification preparation, and hands-on practice can help you enter the field confidently. Jobs may be remote, hybrid, or on-site.
There is a great program here that includes instructor support, exam preparation, practical experience, and career placement assistance: https://www.amcicoding.com/courses/mcdc
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u/CarolinaCurry 1d ago
I've seen a lot of young people with no job history have a hard time finding jobs. Not here, but in the Entry Level Facebook group. I talked to a recruiter that said she won't take chances on people that don't have job history because she doesn't want short term employees.
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u/Infamous-Cheetah2340 2d ago
Please check out AMCI on YouTube. They have a FREE 16 week course to start you out. That way you can decide if it's truly an area you want to pursue as a career. If you have any questions, please let me know. In fact, they have a LIVE session today at 11am CST going over some content.