Decoding Healthcare: How to Become a Medical Coder

When you hear the word "coding,” your mind probably jumps to Silicon Valley and computer programming. But there's another kind of coding that plays an important behind-the-scenes role in the American healthcare system. It's medical coding.

Medical coding is the act of translating practitioner notes from a patient’s healthcare experience into a set of standardized codes that are used for billing, reimbursement, recordkeeping, national health information, and more. 

"It’s essential work,” said Jessica Ciccone, an experienced health information management (HIM) professional and instructor with the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Medical Coding certificate program. "The accuracy of what we do affects everything from how doctors get paid to how disease trends are tracked."

Medical coding is a rewarding career direction for anyone with an interest and aptitude to pursue it. 

We talked to Ciccone to learn more about medical coding, what to expect from a career as a medical coder, and important ways to get into the field. 

What Does a Medical Coder Do?

While it may seem like a technical role, medical coding is anything but rote. 

As a core function, coders must understand complex human anatomy and the dynamics of injuries, illnesses, diseases, and medical procedures to ensure the most accurate interpretation of codes. 

"You're not just clicking boxes," said Ciccone. "You're analyzing what happened to the patient, what procedures were performed, and parsing what's clinically relevant."

The stakes in coding are high, both financially and medically. A miscode can lead to denied insurance claims, audit flags, and flawed entries in a patient's lifelong medical record.

"If you don't code something to the highest level of specificity, you could be affecting the patient’s future care," said Ciccone. "That code is going to stay in their record forever." 

Beyond the patient level, coders also contribute to broader public health record-keeping and understanding. 

"During COVID, it was coders who tracked instances of disease and contributed to state and national data,” said Ciccone. “We're not just processing paperwork. We're part of the whole healthcare story."

A Career in High Demand

The field of medical coding offers a stable and rewarding career. There's steady demand, upward mobility, and the chance to meaningfully affect people’s lives.

Every aspect of the healthcare system relies on medical coders and the demand for coders has only increased with the shift to digital health records and data-driven care.

"Medical coding is one of those fields where there’s always demand,” said Ciccone. “It’s a very stable career with so many opportunities.”

Many coding roles also offer competitive salaries and the option to work remotely, making it a flexible career path that can adapt to different lifestyles and life stages.

Yet while medical coding can be a deeply satisfying career for the right kind of mind, the job isn’t for everyone. It can be especially difficult for those who struggle with rigorous structure or high attention to detail.

“You have to like picking things apart,” said Ciccone. “It’s like solving a puzzle every day.”

How to Become a Medical Coder

Despite strong job prospects and industry demand, new coders often struggle to land their first role. A strong foundation in clinical knowledge is essential and can often be hard to come by. 

“You really need to understand diseases, body systems, and medical language,” Ciccone said. “That’s often the biggest hurdle for new coders. They underestimate how much they need to know.”

Joining a program like the Medical Coding certificate program offered through UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies can be essential for gaining that foundational knowledge.

“It’s a very comprehensive program,” said Ciccone. “We start with medical terminology, anatomy, physiology; and then build into coding systems, reimbursement methodology, and compliance.”

Ciccone also encourages new coders to pursue certifications from organizations like American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), which adds credibility and opens more doors. 

“Your program certificate is one step, but getting certified shows employers you’re serious,” she said.

She also recommends considering roles adjacent to coding, such as billing or records processing, as potential stepping stones. 

“Start in a smaller office or a hybrid role, learn the ropes, and then move into a more specialized coding position,” she suggested.

And above all: network, network, network.. 

“Medical coding is a small world,” said Ciccone. “Stay in touch with classmates, attend local chapter meetings, and build those relationships. You never know who might help you land your next opportunity.”

Medical Coding vs. Medical Billing: What’s the Difference?

While often mentioned together, medical coding and medical billing are two distinct (but closely related) roles within the healthcare revenue cycle. 

Medical coders review patient records and translate clinical encounters into standardized codes that represent diagnoses, treatments, and procedures. These codes form the foundation for accurate documentation, reimbursement, and data reporting.

Medical billers, on the other hand, take those codes and use them to create and submit claims to insurance companies. They follow up on unpaid claims, manage patient billing questions, and ensure providers are reimbursed correctly. 

In some smaller clinics, one person may handle both tasks—but in larger systems, they are typically separate specialties requiring different training and skill sets.

Career Paths and Growth Opportunities in Medical Coding

While breaking into the field can be a challenge for newcomers, the long-term job outlook for medical coders is strong and growing. 

From large hospital systems employing teams of specialized coders to smaller clinics hiring coder-billers for hybrid roles, the profession offers flexibility and scalability across many healthcare-related settings. 

“I always tell my students: coding is just the beginning,” said Ciccone. “They come in thinking coding is the end goal, but there are so many different ways to grow your career.”

Ciccone explained how many coders eventually transition into roles like auditing, compliance, or healthcare data analysis. Others pursue leadership roles or help develop the next generation of electronic medical record (EMR) systems. Tools like the AHIMA career map offer coders an interactive way to explore different pathways too. 

Ultimately, as the healthcare system becomes larger, more complex, and highly regulated, the value of accurate coding will continue to be essential for ensuring effective operations, compliance, and patient care.

“We’re telling the story of what happens in healthcare,” concluded Ciccone. “If we do our job well, that story gets told clearly—for the patient, for the system, and for the future.”

If you’re curious about a stable and flexible career in healthcare, medical coding can be the perfect fit. You can contribute meaningfully to the future of healthcare—one chart at a time.

Learn more about a career in medical coding by visiting the Medical Coding Certificate program page.