The healthcare sector was anticipated to be a significant driver of job growth, and within this sector, medical coding stood out as a promising career path in 2017. Projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in late 2017 offered a comprehensive view of expected economic changes through 2026, highlighting the robust expansion of healthcare and related occupations. These projections, while broad, painted a clear picture of the favorable landscape for professions like medical coding.
Several key trends underscored the positive outlook for medical coding careers in 2017 and beyond:
- Booming Healthcare Sector: The BLS projections emphasized that healthcare and social assistance would be the fastest-growing sector. This growth was fueled by the aging baby-boomer population and increasing prevalence of chronic conditions, leading to a greater demand for healthcare services across the board.
- Increased Demand for Healthcare Support Occupations: Within healthcare, support occupations were projected to experience remarkable growth. Medical coding, being a critical component of healthcare administration and revenue cycle management, was poised to benefit significantly from this trend.
- Technological Advancements in Healthcare: The healthcare industry was increasingly reliant on technology, including electronic health records (EHRs) and digitized medical information. This technological shift amplified the need for skilled medical coders who could accurately classify and code medical diagnoses and procedures for billing, data analysis, and reporting.
The BLS data indicated a strong overall job market, with total employment projected to increase by 7.4 percent from 2016 to 2026. However, healthcare support occupations were expected to grow at a much faster pace, exceeding the average for all occupations. This suggested that individuals entering or advancing in medical coding in 2017 were entering a field with substantial growth potential.
Factors Driving Growth in Healthcare and Medical Coding
The Projected Career Growth For Medical Coding In 2017 was not an isolated trend but rather a part of a larger, more profound shift in the U.S. economy and demographics.
Aging Population and Increased Healthcare Needs
The aging of the baby-boom generation was a primary driver of healthcare expansion. As this large demographic cohort aged, their healthcare needs naturally increased, requiring more medical services, treatments, and long-term care. This demographic shift directly translated into a greater need for all types of healthcare professionals, including medical coders, to manage the increased volume of patient data and billing processes.
Expansion of Healthcare Services
Beyond aging, general population growth and rising rates of chronic diseases contributed to the expansion of healthcare services. More people required medical attention, and advancements in medical treatments meant more procedures and services were available and utilized. This growth in service volume created a greater demand for efficient and accurate medical coding to ensure proper reimbursement and data management within healthcare organizations.
The Role of Technology in Healthcare Administration
The healthcare industry’s increasing adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) and other digital systems played a crucial role in the projected growth of medical coding. While technology streamlined many processes, it also increased the complexity of data management and billing. Skilled medical coders were essential to navigate these digital systems, ensuring accurate coding and compliance in the evolving technological landscape of healthcare.
Occupational Outlook for Healthcare Support Roles, Including Medical Coding
The BLS projections categorized medical coding under broader healthcare support occupations, which were highlighted for exceptional growth. While specific data for “medical coders” as a distinct category might not be explicitly detailed, the trends for related occupations and the overall healthcare support sector strongly indicated a positive career trajectory for medical coding professionals starting in 2017.
Figure 12. Percent change in employment by major occupational group, projected 2016–26
Figure 12 from the original BLS report visually reinforces the projection that Healthcare Support Occupations were expected to have the highest percentage growth rate among all major occupational groups. This broad category encompasses various roles that assist healthcare practitioners, and medical coding is intrinsically linked to this support structure.
Industry Growth within Healthcare Driving Medical Coding Careers
The healthcare and social assistance sector itself was projected to be the fastest-growing industry sector, further solidifying the positive job outlook for medical coding. Within this sector, specific industries like home healthcare services were anticipated to experience explosive growth.
Figure 13. Fastest growing occupations, projected 2016–26
Figure 13 showcases that a significant portion of the fastest-growing occupations were within the healthcare domain. While “Medical Coders” isn’t explicitly listed, the presence of “Home Health Aides,” “Personal Care Aides,” and various therapy-related occupations underscores the overall expansion within healthcare support roles, which indirectly benefits medical coding professionals.
Conclusion: A Promising Outlook for Medical Coding in 2017
Based on the comprehensive projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2017, the career outlook for medical coding was undeniably positive. The robust growth of the healthcare sector, driven by demographic shifts and increasing healthcare needs, combined with the expanding role of technology in healthcare administration, created a favorable environment for medical coding professionals.
While the BLS data provides a broad overview, the trends and projections strongly suggest that individuals pursuing careers in medical coding in 2017 were entering a field with significant projected growth and long-term career opportunities. The continued expansion of healthcare, coupled with the increasing complexity of medical billing and data management, would likely sustain the demand for skilled and certified medical coders for years to come.
Suggested citation:
T. Alan Lacey, Mitra Toossi, Kevin S. Dubina, and Andrea B. Gensler, “Projections overview and highlights, 2016–26,” Monthly Labor Review, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, October 2017, https://doi.org/10.21916/mlr.2017.29
