Exploring the Scope of Medical Coding Career in Dubai

The healthcare industry is rapidly evolving in Dubai, and medical coding professionals will play a key role in enhancing the quality of patient care. Currently, Dubai’s healthcare industry serves more than 3.6 million people. As per DHCC’s forecast, Dubai’s healthcare industry will cater to 5.8 million people by 2040.  The thriving healthcare industry in Dubai will require more Medical coders and Medical Billers to ensure the correct billing process, reimbursement, treatment, diagnosis, and healthcare services for patients.  

Medical coders act as a connecting link between doctors, patients, and insurance agents. Hospitals, clinics, and Insurance companies are actively seeking medical coders and billers in Dubai to convert healthcare procedures into alphanumeric codes for accurate billing. With the introduction of the Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems, there is an increased demand for technically skilled medical coders in Dubai. Now is the perfect time to start your Medical Coding Career in Dubai. 

Let’s start exploring by looking into some interesting statistical figures in the healthcare landscape in the UAE, such as 

1. Medical Coding Market Size

To understand the scope of a medical coding career, it is essential to do some statistical 

research on the medical coding market size. According to reports by Straits Research, the Global Medical Coding Market will register a 9.2% growth rate between 2025 and 2033. The table below highlights the current medical coding market size at the global level and in the UAE. 

As per the research report by Horizon, the UAE’s Medical Coding market will register a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR ) of 7.7% between the year 2025 to 2030. This is the highest growth rate for any country in the Middle East & Africa (MEA) Region. 

The city of Dubai accounts for the largest medical coding market in the UAE region. Dubai also has the highest number of vacancies for medical coders in the Middle East. The bar diagram below showcases the Medical Coding Market Size of the UAE in 2024 and by 2030.

2. Medical Billing Outsourcing Market Size

Various healthcare institutions in Dubai are outsourcing the task of billing and claims management to lower expenses and speed up the claim process. The outsourcing of the medical billing process is growing at a staggering pace in the UAE. 

As per the Insights 10  report, UAE’s Medical Billing Outsourcing Market will register a growth rate of 13% between 2022 and 2030. Its positive effect can be seen in the healthcare sector of Dubai. The bar diagram below showcases the Medical Billing (Outsourcing) Market Size of the UAE in 2022 and by 2030. 

3. AI in the Medical Coding Market Size

The impact of AI on the medical coding sector is inevitable. AI will have a profound effect on the job roles of medical coders. It is important to stay updated with the latest AI tools in medical coding to remain job-relevant. 

"AI is going to change medical coding in a big way, making it faster, more accurate, and way less manual. Right now, coders spend a lot of time analyzing clinical notes, assigning codes, and making sure everything is compliant with billing regulations. AI is there to handle the repetitive, time-consuming parts, allowing medical coders and other healthcare professionals to focus on the complex, high-value work that requires judgment and experience."

Jamie Frew, Electronic Health Records (EHR) Expert & CEO, Carepatron

According to Market.US reports, the Global AI in Medical Coding Market size is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.6% between 2024 and 2033. Whereas, the UAE’s AI in Medical Coding Market size will grow at a CAGR of 14.2% between 2023 to 2030. 

Dubai, being the technical hub in the UAE, is the first city in the United Arab Emirates to take the necessary steps to integrate AI in medical coding. The table below shows the market size of AI in Medical Coding at the global level and that of the UAE for the years 2023 and 2033.  

Now that you are clear with the rising trends in the medical coding market. Let’s now explore the salaries of Medical Coders in Dubai. 

Salary of Medical Coders in Dubai 

Dubai offers the highest pay scale for medical coders in the UAE. Let’s look into the salaries of Medical Coders in Dubai. A comparison has also been made with the salary of Medical Coders in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. 

1. Salary of Entry-Level Medical Coders

The following table compares the salaries of Entry-level medical coders (0-2 years of experience) in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi. 

2. Salary of Mid-Level Medical Coders

The following table shows the salaries of mid-level medical coders (2-5 years of experience) in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi. 

 3. Salary of Senior-Level Medical Coders

The following table compares the salaries of senior-level medical coders (More than 5 years of experience) in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi. 

There’s no doubt that medical coders earn the highest in Dubai compared to other cities in the UAE. Let’s now understand how to start a medical coding career in Dubai. 

Starting Your Medical Coding Journey in Dubai

Medical coding specialists, Clinical coders, Medical Billing analysts, In-patient Coders, and Out-patient Coders are some of the popular job titles in the Medical Coding Profession in Dubai’s Healthcare sector. 

Now it's time to look into the certifications that you require to start your Medical Coding Career in Dubai. 

You can pursue the following Top Medical Coding Certifications to start your career in Medical Coding,  

As a medical coder, you have to be knowledgeable in the following medical coding standards, 

The following are the skills required to Start Your Medical Coding Profession in Dubai

If you want to get into high-paying medical coding jobs, there are Medical Coding Certification Courses you can join to acquire medical coding skills. Medical Coding Training will help you with certification exam preparation and equip you with essential skills to excel in medical coding. 

Is the DHA Exam Compulsory For Medical Coders in Dubai? 

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) exam is a mandatory licensing exam for all health professionals in Dubai. Even though the DHA exam is not mandatory for medical coders in Dubai, they must adhere to the DHA guidelines and latest regulations.  

Final Words

Dubai’s booming healthcare sector has become a magnet for various healthcare professionals and Medical Coders. Medical coding professionals analyze clinical information into assigned standardized codes for effective patient care, insurance claims, and reimbursement purposes. Medical Coders work for the benefit of patients and healthcare professionals. 

Keeping up with Dubai’s rapid advancements in healthcare technologies, changes in the coding systems, and healthcare policies could be a challenge for Medical Coding Professionals in Dubai. 

Connecting with the community of medical coders, expanding your professional network, and engaging in a continuous learning process will help you overcome challenges and achieve success in your Medical Coding Career. 

Locations Where Edoxi Offers Medical Coding Course