
- Medical Billing and Coding are two of the careers affected by the pandemic causing employees to resign and look for other job opportunities.
- There was a great resignation rate seen in 2021 in the US primarily caused by issues with payment, career progression, and the work environment.
- The ICD-9 to ICD-10 transition in 2015 challenged each medical coder’s learning curve.
- Job opportunities for coders and billers are predicted to be promising at the same rate as any other job
opportunity’s rate.

Among the reasons that topped for this decision are either the pay was too low, no opportunity for advancements, and a feeling of disrespect at work. Child care issues, flexibility, benefits, relocation, and overwork are also some of the major reasons that contribute to the employment change as well.
The Wall Street Journal described several factors as well that contributed to this wave of resignations such as the preference for a work-from-home setting, reluctance to resume office, pandemic-brought work overload and stress, and also still, looking for much higher pay.
Covid-19 Pandemic as The Great Career Navigator
In an article written by the Pew Research Center earlier in March 2022, the Covid 19 Pandemic heaved an
immense rate of Americans leaving their jobs whether for a better work environment or a sustainable work-life balance at an unprecedented rate which was called The Great Resignation. Aside from the problems already brought by tight Covid-19 restriction policies, this led to massive job losses and cascaded events resulting in tight labor markets in 2021. The nation’s quit rate reached a 20-year high last November.
Why is there a shortage of Medical Billers and Coders?
Medical billers and coders are in high demand in the US but these professions are skilled in nature and therefore credentialed coders are to be trained prior to work. In 2015, the great shift from ICD-9 to ICD-10 bestowed a great impact on medical coders because of a huge learning jump from 17,000 codes to 140,000 codes. It was estimated that there would be a decrease in their productivity and some would rather just change careers or retire instead of embracing this new change.
Neither medical billing nor medical coding requires extensive educational background but these professions need certified training in order to be practiced by the AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) or by the AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association). With the increasing aging population, government insurance companies like Medicare and Medicaid rely heftily on medical coders and billers to perform tasks of doing patient eligibility, insurance, and provider coordination and claims checking as every senior citizen, those who reached the age of 65, are automatically entitled to these to cater their health needs.
Many people aren’t still aware that medical coders and billers are actually health workers nor do they even know that it is a profession possible for them to venture into. This fact alone limits the availability in the pool of coders and adds to the current shortage problem.
Burnout is still one of the reasons for this shortage, which was even more aggravated by the pandemic. The decision to leave this profession was seen by employers as a threat to their businesses and the overall impact on the healthcare system therefore attempts to remedy this problem were made such as flexibility in the work time, sign-on bonuses, compensation for overtime hours, salary increase, etc.
Medical Billing and Coding Occupational Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Overall employment of medical records and health information specialists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 34,300 openings for medical records and health information specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.”
The increasing aging population will continuously contribute to this need for employment since they will require more services for their needs. The medical billers and coders will provide assistance with keeping track of their insurance coverage and usage.
My RCM Group hires and trains the right billers and coders in handling these affairs and keeps the staff professionally competent. We hired highly qualified people with years of

experience not only in billing and coding but medical assistance in office clinics and hospitals. In the short time we have been operating, we have developed harmonious relations with our partner providers by delivering customized support services and continuously expanding this relationship with other partners as well.
We provide the most complete service from Free Practice Initial Consultation, Revenue Cycle Process Audit, Physician Credentialing, Virtual Staffing, Medical Billing and Collection, Payment Posting and Adjustments, Accounts Receivable Management up to Small Claims Court Suit Filing and Representation.
References: The Great Resignation: Why workers say they quit jobs in 2021 | Pew Research Center | Forget Going Back to the Office—People Are Just Quitting Instead – WSJ | Medical Records and Health Information Specialists: Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
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