William Said:

Out of medical transcription and clinical coding as careers, which would bring in the most income?

We Answered:

It depends.

Transcriptionists typically get paid by the line (must type a minimum per day) and get paid more for the more they type. I think it is a more forgiving position but terminology and keyboarding skills are crucial. You do not want to be transcribing a brain and put in a term for the abdomen.

Coding is probably more scrutinized because it deals with the money/billing. You do not want to miss-code a $500,000 account to Medicare for instance. You also have to be somewhat of a detective and sometimes you have to comb through a record to find the pieces you are trying to bill.

So, see what your personality leans you toward and begin that way and know that if you are dissatisfied you can then try the other one. It is great you picked two positions found in typically the same work environment....Health Information Management aka Medical Records. Good Luck!!

Willie Said:

I am considering a career in medical coding/billing, does anyone have personal experience in this field?

We Answered:

It is hard to get into even with medical schooling. Billing and coding is an important aspect of the medical profession. I went to school, it took me a year and over $9000.00 to find out, it is not what you know but who............... Coding takes the ability of someone who has great attention to detail. Try talking to others in the field before spending money and time for this field.