CPC P EXAM

CPC-P Exam [2007-11-29]
Congratulations! Can I ask you what all was on the exam, types of questions? I'm graduating next Spring with an AS degree in HIT and I will be taking my RHIT exam. I've been wondering if I should take a coding exam as well to start, like CCA. What's your professional opinion? Is this a good time to get into billing? I've been an MT for almost 10 years now. Thanks!

CPC-P EXAM [2007-11-22]
I passed my exam on the 10th. I am now a CPC-P (Certified Professional Coder - payor) I'm so excited. Sandy in GA

Coding exam [2007-08-22]
Sorry to hear about that. I also have been thinking about transitioning to the coding field (and I also am in Georgia!). Mind if I ask what steps you took prior to taking the exam? Did you take a course or train yourself? If school, which course did you take? Thanks for any info you can provide, and good luck to you on the next go around!

Coding Exam [2007-06-08]
If I may suggest, don't waste your time with the CCA, go for the CCS or higher level..You will get much more respect if you get the higher level certs vs. the entry level..My experience is like yours...Did very well in getting College Cert in Medical Coding...Monitored all hospitals in NY State for jobs to no avail...Checked the AHIMA website since I am a member..Kept on talking to Dept Head at college and he connected me with my only Coding position during Chemo coding..They only used me to catch up. They were a year behind in coding their Chemo charts..after a month i caught up, did some billing/Collections, and then they got a 12yr senior coder to do my job part time at night since the coding was reduced to only 2-3hrs a day once I caught up and was coding present Patient - Physician encounters

Re: coding jobs [2008-08-31]
It can be hard to get a coding job right out of school, and I am always telling people I know with the same question; if you I have known people to work their way in by doing this. I did it myself over a year and a half ago, and I am now the clinic division Billing coordinator for a hospital system. Also, let your schooling intentions be known to those you are applying to.Get all the practice you can with coding, from practice workbooks. There are quite a few available from Ahima, AAPC websites bookstores, Borders online, etc... You need to know what you and once you have one of those, getting a job should be easier. But, the exam is not easy! So again, practice, practice, practice.

CCS and schools [2008-08-29]
Why do you want to take the CCS exam? It's for inpatient coding. Those jobs are usually in-house. If you're a SAHM, I can see that you need a distance learning program, but if you are going to keep being a SAHM, coding probably isn't a good choice for you now. Coding jobs in general require some on-site time before you can begin working at home. It's difficult to find at-home coding jobs without experience, although there are more at-home jobs coming available now. Andrews teaches a coding program. It takes about a year. Their grads have been successful with both the CPC and the CCS right out of school. The program teaches to a higher level than programs that just aim for the CCA. They have grads working in good jobs and advancing, too.

Things you can to to improve your prospects. [2008-08-26]
There aren't too many work-at-home jobs for new coders. You might need to bite the bullet and agree to work on-site for a short while. Start now to prepare yourself to take and pass a CPC, CCS, or CCS-P certification exam when you graduate, because that is the key to getting hired. In your courses, do not aim for a passing grade, but for a perfect grade. Squeaking by is not enough--the deficit will accumulate. If your course uses only one coding textbook, get different textbooks and learn everything they teach, too. Work every problem in every textbook, as well as in Clinical Coding Workout, and Marsha Diamond's Medical Coding Practice and Review, and every other review book you can find. You might be able to get them on interlibrary loan. Find out the certification requirements NOW for both AAPC and AHIMA, so that you won't waste time barking up the wrong tree. Those exams require you to be able to CODE, so that is what you need to learn to do. You need to know the anatomy, pharmacology, lab, and med language cold, but you must be able to code. If you can demonstrate to an employer that you can do that, they may hire you and you can move home quickly.

That's a different story. [2008-08-23]
What you had, then, was a poor documentation issue rather than a coder problem. Billers have a long tradition of thinking the coders are terrible and also of thinking the job isn't as complicated as it actually is. It's a lot like having the receptionist think the billers' jobs are easy and that she could do it without training because all she sees is typing and she can do that. That's not saying YOU are seeing it that way, but just pointing out that the situation from the coders' side might not have been quite what you thought. Coders code only from what is in the documentation. You donled to do so, in which case it was still not ok. Hospitals are constantly being investigated and sanctioned for this. Just having a supervisor approve it is no guarantee that it's ok--a supervisor and some other corporate sorts from 30 miles south of me are in federal prison right now for doing the same thing. But, if you are able to know what should have been coded from seeing a bill, then you might be an expert already. In that case, try taking the CCS exam and see what happens. If you pass and can get a job, then you're ahead of the game. If you can't, then you'll know you need more education. I can say with some certainty that you will not get a job working from home coding inpatient records without on-site experience, even with a CCS. It's even less likely to occur with a CCA, and your chances of being hired at all for inpatient coding with a CCA aren't great. Keeping the job would present a difficulty, too, considering the productivity requirements employers have. In truth, your chances of getting a job doing remote billing are better. It would certainly be less trouble.

Maybe, maybe not. [2008-08-20]
[quote]My question is, if i can pass the test, do you think I will be able to get a job with my experience?[/quote] [quote] I worked with Medicare, so the codes had to be correct always, and we had terrible coders that always put in codes that wouldn't pay...[/quote] It is entirely possible for someone to study on their own and pass the certification exam. The problem you may have is related to that second quote, in which you say the coders you worked with were terrible because they put in codes that didn't pay. Your experience seems to have been in changing the codes to ones that would pay. When you changed the codes to ones that would pay, you may have committed fraud, or at least were guilty of abuse. It is a federal criminal act (fraud) to knowingly do that and submit the claim to Medicare. If you don't realize it's wrong, it's only abuse. The penalties for either are severe. What you might not have realized was that those terrible coders were probably correct. They may have been coding correctly. Those codes cannot be changed. The physician may need to review his documentation practices, perhaps, but the codes cannot be changed. The office may need to issue ABNs for services which are not covered, but the codes cannot be changed. Coming along behind a professinal coder and changing his/her code assignments is not recommended. The problem you'll have with the exam will be that you have incorrect knowledge and expectations regarding coding. I can tell this because you thought all those coders codes were wrong. That means that *your* thinking is not correct. If you do decide to apply for a coding job, I recommend you never, ever mention that your experience involved changing coders' codes.

This is not true [2008-08-02]
Your advisor gave you bad information. First of all, the RHIT credential is not specifically for coding. It's for health information technology in general. You can and should sit for the RHIT credential immediately after you graduate. Passing that exam does not depend on experience in coding. You should be able to pass it with just what you learned in school. It is an ENTRY LEVEL exam. In fact, the longer you wait, the worse your score will be because you'll forget what you learned. The AHIMA coding exams, i.e., the CCS, CCS-P, are mastery level exams. AHIMA recommends that you have 2 years of experience before taking them, but it's only a recommendation. Their certification communicates only that you know the material. Students from some coding programs are able to pass them without experience. The American Association of Professional Coders, however, REQUIRES two years of experience before they will grant the full certification. You can TAKE the exam at any time before that, but you'll get a temporary certification which indicates that you do not have the experience. Their certification communicates to employers and clients that you not only know the material, but that you have significant experience, as well. If you are considering a career change, get the information you need directly from the source. Don't pass up an excellent career opportunity based on some nonsense spouted by someone at a school who has no more clue than a rabbit about what you intend to study. Don't take advice given by people, either. Find out the truth for yourself. Both certifying organizations' websites explain exactly what you need to do. www.ahima.org and www.aapc.com

Re: Medical Coding Career [2008-04-24]
I was in your same shoes a couple years ago. Newly single mom of three young kids - one with a disability - and nursing school was no longer possible. Thatt finishe yet, but I am already coding for a clinic. I started there as a receptionit and when they found out what I was in school for I kept getting asked to fill out forms needing codes. More and more later, I am now being transitioned into a billing/coding position, and am able to flex some of my position from home. Plus, since it is work related, my employer will pay for my books, certification exam fee. My advice for newcomers to the field is to get a job at least part time at a clinic, privte doctors office somewhere. That's where most coders I know, and myself, have gotten their foot in the door. And it is well worth it in the end.

CPC-P Exam [2007-11-29]
Congratulations! Can I ask you what all was on the exam, types of questions? I'm graduating next Spring with an AS degree in HIT and I will be taking my RHIT exam. I've been wondering if I should take a coding exam as well to start, like CCA. What's your professional opinion? Is this a good time to get into billing? I've been an MT for almost 10 years now. Thanks!

CPC-P EXAM [2007-11-22]
I passed my exam on the 10th. I am now a CPC-P (Certified Professional Coder - payor) I'm so excited. Sandy in GA

meditech vs career step [2007-11-05]
Which of these seem to be better. I would like to pursue coding and billing opportunities. I currently am a Transcriptionist and interested in cross training. Which schools are better equiped to help pass the exam? I checked out both but need some help in determining which one is better. Please any advice would be appreciated. Thank you...

Andrews School [2007-10-18]
Has anyone actually done the Andrews school out there for coding, and if so, do you feel it got you ready for the exam(s)?? Still looking for perfect school to fit lifestyle, work life, but yet advance education/knowledge... Any/all advice appreciated. :-))

Coding schools [2007-10-10]
Will try this again..... has anyone taken the Andrews online coding program and if so, do you feel it prepared you to sit for exam(s)....Still wondering on information out there if anyone would be so kind as to share. See my post below!!! Pleeeaaaasssssee.....Yes I am begging

They have instructors who really know their [2007-10-10]
coding, and are very tough. It seems their teaching is geared toward passing the exam. They know what you need to know to pass it, and they know what you need to be a good coder. I heard other courses don't really have instructors there for you. The instructors at Andrews work as coders and auditors also.

Meditec on-line program [2007-10-06]
Can anyone offer any information about the program offered by Meditec on-line for billing and coding. I have looked through a ton of programs and this program seems like it would be a little more thorough as far as the subjects and amount of reports to code, plus they seem to touch on the billing aspect, insurance, etc. I have been to the AHIMA board and looked at all the schools listed on their site; however, they do not endorse any particular school, as such, not really helping anyone makea decision as to any good school to go to. Also, in looking at their programs, they do not really seem to offer any more in the way of subjects that they touch on and, in fact, seem to offer a little less to me than the distance program called Meditec. This one seems to touch on some software programs out there as well which I think should be included in one Also, from what I am gathering, it does not seem as though the AHIMA cares where you get your education, just that you get a good enough one to pass their exam. I do wonder, however, at the same time if any employers look at where one gets their schooling or if they too are more interested in the credentials and that you have them, period. I did ask one employer if they looked at the schooling behind the credentials and she said that, no they did not really critique the schooling, they were more interested in the fact that they have the proper credentials and experience. While there seems to be a ton of schools offering these courses, there seems to be a lack of information from anyone person/organization as to what is the best course offered, leaving one to sort of guess and well hope they hit the right one. I also seem to find that, for the most part, the ones willing to comment are usually the ones who only have something negative to say about the business/field, programs,etc. Again, making it hard to make a good decision as to where to go. Then there are the companies all trying to push their program and telling you they are theONE to go to, only I know that they will all tell you that in order to sell their program. After all, that is THEIR business. And well, maybe they really do feel that their program is the best. Unfortunately, I know that there has to be some solid answers out there from someone, someone who has been there/done that successfully. Would you please share some info with me. If you don I am a successful working medical Transcriptionist right now and would like to venture into coding, billing, office management, and maybe HIM as well. I do not have unrealistic expectations of having to work from home, making a ton of money at this. Just want to further my education for the knowledge, and yes make a decent honest living at it. Yes, I know it is hard work getting there. I did a transcription course through M-Tec, was challenging, I have worked my 12 hour + daysat my first transcription job, been in tears thinking I was never going to get my line count. Seemed to get it finally by the end of the day somehow, and now I am making my line count and then some. I am doing fine at it and have been successful for 4 years so far doing it. I still like it.I am not a complainer on the MT Stars board bashing companies, because I feel for every company that I worked at that was not my favorite for one reason or another, I was stilllearning and geting some type ofexperience, no matter what. One has to take those chances and go through thosesort of lifeto learn as well. So I am sure that medical coding/billing is no exception to the rule and know what I am in for before I go into it. Just looking for some advice to go in the right direction on the schooling!! Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share.

Coding exam [2007-08-22]
Sorry to hear about that. I also have been thinking about transitioning to the coding field (and I also am in Georgia!). Mind if I ask what steps you took prior to taking the exam? Did you take a course or train yourself? If school, which course did you take? Thanks for any info you can provide, and good luck to you on the next go around!

For those interested in Coding [2006-10-20]
I just wanted to share this information about coding classes for anyone interested. There are two years programs out there - but for anyone serious about learning only coding this might be an option. One of the coders at the last hospital I worked at told me that she'd never gone to school. She ordered a publication by Carol J. Buck - Step-By-Step Medical Coding, along with the ICD-9 and CPT coding books and taught herself. When she felt confident that she'd mastered the workbook, she took the Certification test and passed. She was hiredwith no experience sincea lot of hospitals are now looking for more than just that two or four year degree. They actually want people that have passed the CCS exam (which I understand isn't exactly easy, as some seasoned coders have had to take refresher courses to qualify), and about a year later became their head coder. There was also the Director of Coding at another hospital I worked at who told me the same thing. She never went to school to learn coding but used Carol J. Buck. I live in Chicago, so I'm not sure if the requirements are different in other states, but I'm pretty sure that certification is a national one. And there may be other publications out there to use, but the one of choice here seems to be Step-By-Step. I hope it's okay for me to mention that book. Hope this helps some of you, Judy

Coder Training [2006-09-15]
AHIMA has a great self-paced course for around $2000. As you probably already know, AHIMA is the credentialing organization for CCS and CCS-P coders. I have heard their curriculum is great. You can check them out at www.ahima.org. If you would like to concentrate in physician coding you could also take the independent study course from the AAPC, which is what I am doing, and then sit for the CPC exam. Check them out at www.aapc.com. Good luck!

I Missed This! [2006-07-22]
Any of these, MT, billing or coding, are really booming right now, so they'd all be good to get into. My niece and I both wanted to try MT, she was able to find someone to hire her with no training/no experience and has been working at it for four years now. Another girl I worked with bought coding workbooks by someone with the last name Buck (I can find out the exact info if you want) and studied on her own and when she felt ready took the CCS exam, passed, was hired by the hospital I was working at and now about two years later is the supervisor over out-patient coding! I firmly believe it's not necessary to go through years of schooling to reach your goal in these fields - but it is important to be Certified and all you need to do is pass the test. That's probably not as easy as it sounds, but it's within the reach of anyone who has the determination to take that step. Some hospitals are now more interested in that CCS or MT certification than a degree. Let me know what you decide to do. Judy

New to coding and billing [2006-07-08]
I finished my coding and billing course in April and I haven't been able to find anything. One person called and said they would pay $9 an hour for only part time work. I've used an agency and they called and asked if I would be interested a such and such job, and then they would never call back. Is there anything out there for coder/biller. I'm getting ready to take the CCA exam from AHIMA. to see if this would help. So far my experience has been disheartening. Anybody have any thoughts?