2017 coder salary survey: Salaries stagnate, frustrations linger

Why This Topic Matters

The piece provides a snapshot of how coders are positioned in the workforce, how survey respondents view compensation and professional support, and what industry developments may influence the profession over time.

Article Sections

1. Survey overview and compensation trends

   Introduces the survey population and summarizes broad compensation and workload findings. It also compares current results with an earlier survey period.

2. Education and specialized credentials

   Discusses respondent education levels and the credentials commonly reported in the survey. It also addresses continuing education and professional development concerns.

3. Additional responsibilities

   Covers how coder roles are expanding beyond traditional tasks and highlights the types of additional duties respondents reported. It also reflects comments about workplace expectations and recognition.

4. Will there be a coder shortage?

   Examines workforce age distribution, entry into the profession, and broader employment outlook. It references outside labor market projections and professional association observations.

5. The future of medical coding

   Addresses anticipated changes affecting the profession, including future code set evolution, electronic health record considerations, and implementation timing discussions.