Demand for medical coders in the U.S. is expected to grow by 13 percent through 2026, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in April.
A growing population of older citizens with long-term and chronic medical conditions and other age-related health issues is fueling demand for healthcare services, which must be coded for reimbursement.
Medical coders are needed for hospitals, physicians' offices, ASCs, nursing care facilities and other medical facilities. Remote work is also expanding.
Here are three statistics from Newswire on the percent change in employment projected from 2016 to 2026:
1. Health technologists and technicians: 14 percent
2. Medical records and health information technicians: 13 percent
3. Total growth for all occupations: 7 percent
Note: Medical coding is a specialization within the health information technician category.