Is Medical Coding a Good Side Hustle?

Posted On Mar 14, 2021 |

More and more people these days have a “side hustle” or an extra way to earn income.

More and more people these days have a “side hustle” or an extra way to earn income. There are traditional side jobs as well as more creative ways to earn income like selling crafts on Etsy or working as an online personal assistant. The internet is filling up with new ideas to earn some extra income without having to leave the comfort of your own home. There are blogs and websites dedicated to sharing ideas, particularly when it comes to stay-at-home moms looking to make some extra cash.

With the prominent promotions of medical coding as a work-from-home job, there are more and more people looking into medical coding, and that includes seeing if it’s a suitable side job.

But is medical coding a good side hustle?

First, let’s look at the requirements of becoming a medical coder. To be successful in this position, you need to have an interest in reading and analyzing medical records. Minimum requirements to take most coding classes include an understanding of medical terminology as well as anatomy and physiology. An average professional medical coding preparation course consists of 80 hours of education, followed by sitting for a grueling certification exam. None of that comes cheap. An all-encompassing package will easily cost $2,000 - $5,000. That’s a lot to invest for a side hustle.

Classes, training, exams, and it doesn’t end there! To join the AAPC or AHIMA (one of which will likely be mandatory for jobs in medical coding) will cost over $100 annually, and you’ll have to invest in meeting continuing education requirements and assessments. Not to mention, that entry-level positions are hard to come by, and part-time entry-level positions are even harder.

While it may seem like a dream job to sit at home reading medical reports and punching in a bunch of numbers, there is a CONSIDERABLE investment in this career. While some mommy blogs might suggest this as a way to earn income while you’re at home watching your kids, that simply isn’t a realistic expectation. Medical coding is an intense and serious profession, and not an easy career to navigate.

If you’re willing to dedicate the time and concentration, it can be an extremely rewarding career and eventually you may be able to land a position working from home. Check out websites like aapc.com for more information on how to become a certified medical coder.