In office MT

In office MT [2008-05-14]
I cannot speak for everybody, but I do work in an office as the only Transcriptionist and do not have an area off by myself (wish I did), and yes, there are overhead pages, phones ringing, people talking, people running faxes, printers, and just general chaos most of the time. It is difficult to concentrate on what you are doing. Oh, almost forgot - most people in the office just come to my desk and start talking or asking questions while I have my headphones on.This

In office MT [2008-05-14]
I cannot speak for everybody, but I do work in an office as the only Transcriptionist and do not have an area off by myself (wish I did), and yes, there are overhead pages, phones ringing, people talking, people running faxes, printers, and just general chaos most of the time. It is difficult to concentrate on what you are doing. Oh, almost forgot - most people in the office just come to my desk and start talking or asking questions while I have my headphones on.This has

In office MT [2008-05-14]
I cannot speak for everybody, but I do work in an office as the only Transcriptionist and do not have an area off by myself (wish I did), and yes, there are overhead pages, phones ringing, people talking, people running faxes, printers, and just general chaos most of the time. It is difficult to concentrate on what you are doing. Oh, almost forgot - most people in the office just come to my desk and start talking or asking questions while I have my headphones on.This has been my experience with working in a medical office.

Certification exams ... [2008-10-07]
To give you an estimate of how difficult it will be to learn inpatient coding and pass the CCS exam on your own, roughly 70% of graduates of college-based coding programs FAIL the CCS and/or CCS-P. The passing score is only about 64% of the questions. That doesn't include the large number of grads who never bother to sit for the exam because they do not believe they will pass it. It's difficult to learn inpatient coding (CCS) on your own. There is too much involved in it. You can learn to do simple office coding & billing, where you basically copy the codes a doctor has checked off on a charge ticket, though. A coding and billing text, like Fordney, would do for that. That would,in fact, be a good way to get enough perspective on the occupation to know what direction to go in. There is no guarantee that you'll pass the exam after a bootcamp, either. Some of them have students who need to attend 2 or 3 times before they can squeak by. Yes, the AAPC exam IS open book, but you should not think that enables you to look up the information you need. The book that is open is a code book. It's open so that you can look up the codes. It won't give you any handy hints, nor would you have time to look anything up even if they were there. AHIMA exams tend to focus on hospital coding and AAPC tend to focus on outpatient physician services. Take whichever suits what you want to code.

your percentage is a little bit off [2008-10-07]
Actually about 50% fail the test, not 70%. and that is of the total people who take it, not just those who have taken college-based coding programs. I do not believe there is any such breakdown. The simple office coding you talk about isn't actually coding if you are copying the codes the doctor wrote on the chargemaster and doesn't really require any book as anybody can copy codes! It is the billing aspects that would require the specialized knowledge in that setting. And yes, it is difficult to learn inpatient coding on your own but a motivated person can do it if they set their mind to it. I have a good friend who is a CCS who is completely self-taught. But not everyone wants to be an inpatient coder. Our hospital has ED coders, outpatient coders, and day surgery coders in addition to inpatient coders.

There are off-site billing jobs. [2008-09-13]
Yes, there are off-site billing jobs, but not very many. Off-site coding jobs are increasing, but they require solid credentials from either AHIMA or AAPC. Some are more restrictive. A few may prefer AHIMA RHIAs with a CCS, for instance. Nearly all require one to several years of on-site experience. They aren they're jobs that require reading medical records, analyzing what went on, and coding it yourself. It's all production work, too.

Are there any at home coding jobs?? [2008-09-08]
Hi everyone! About 5 years ago I completed some courses through my local college for medical coding/billing and transcription. I liked the billing much better and did that for a busy family practice for 5 years. For the past 2 years I've been home with my kids. I would really like to work but with the rising price of gas it would not pay for me to get an outside job. I live out in the country and the closest doctors office or hospital is 35 miles away. Are there companies that offer a home based billing opportunity? Thanks! Amanda

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.

Apply, apply, apply [2008-08-17]
You have to work at getting a job. Apply, apply, apply for anything and everything, and TAKE the first job that is offered even if it pays nothing and you hate it. Take ANY job, even in a doctor's office answering phones if you have to. Work your way up from there. Look for a job doing anything in a medical record room of a large multispecialty clinic or a hospital--clerk, secretary, anything. Part of the problem may be that you describe your degree as transcription and coding. People either do one or the other. If you apply for both, employers will think you don't know what you want to do. It implies that you don't understand what the employer needs. Also be careful about saying you have a certification. You didn't indicate which one you have, but if it's not an AHDI RMT in transcription, an AAPC CPC-A (you can't have a CPC yet because you have no experience), or an AHIMA CCS or CCS-P, then you have no certification the employer is interested in. Billing and coding are very important to employers. They can't afford to train you, can't afford to lose money on bad coding, and can't afford to be investigated by federal agencies for fraud and abuse based on bad coding. You can enhance your skills while looking for a job by getting more books and studying on your own. Also consider volunteering at a hospital in the medical records department, or at a hospice, or at some other charitable healthcare organization. Volunteer experience can count.

You are correct [2008-06-21]
that RHIT training and the credential allows one to do a lot more than coding. Usually the RHIT or RHIA are preferred for management level positions. You would get training in every aspect of an HIM office, computer systems, ROM, legal problems, transcription, teaching, etc. The HIPAA laws created new positions that RHITs/RHIAs were sought to fill. But I dont think it includes much more than the basics in cancer registry...that is a different program. I got my RHIT in 1989 and my RHIA in 1992. I was a director of HIM in two small, rural hospitals and learned I dont like management. I had always done a lot of coding and a little transcription and grew to much prefer transcription. However my credential allowed me to start at a higher than entry level salary. Coding has too much interference from Medicare and other insurance companies for my taste. Medicare can drive you nuts! I have not coded in nearly a year now, so I might be way out of touch with it, but I have not heard of an off-shoring threat. In my area the only outsourcing there usually is is for backlogs. I have also done my internships and then coded three years at a huge big-city hospital. That hospital now has the coders working from home, but they still dont outsource. Another field to get into with HIM is DRG validation. That might be more big city, but still something an RHIT student would learn. Also, in the huge hospitals, there is a separate filing dept and usually a credentialed person manages that. Since I like filing, I always thought that would be interesting. I guess what I am trying to say is the RHIT or RHIA credential does open more windows than coding alone, and if you think you would like to ever get into managment one or both of these credentials is most likely mandatory. I would be glad to talk further with you.

Medical transcription & Other Healthcare Jobs [2008-06-17]
If you are already working, but the wages cannot satisfy you you are seeking for a home job which will fulfil that demand, medical transcription will be the perfect choice for you. It does not ask from you any highly expensive equipment or any high profile quality. If you hold interest in this matter this article will assist you provide enough information about medical transcription. Medical transcription has turned into a special vocation for many people for its flexible way of income. Here an individual gets enough liberty to perform any time according to his convenience with a deadline has turned into a resourceful avenue of income along with his primary profession. According to the various source of research, the trend to work as a Medical Transcriptionist is consecutively growing up day-by-day.If you are efficient as a Medical transcriptionist you have a lot of demand for work. All the important medical institutions like clinics, hospitals, physicians colleges etc. employ Medical transcriptionist. Working within the appropriate office environment, the job of Medical transcription is no less rewarding. A Medical transcriptionist, working from home, is expected to be equipped with only a computer with a modem, a fax, a phone, a printer, dictating equipment with the headset, etc.Generally, you are expected to have a decent skill on computer keyboard should be aware of the functions that the keys offer. You should keep it in the mind that all the organisations, hiring Medical transcriptionists are inclined for those people who are already polished with experience in the clinic, or hospital setting. Though it is not uncommon that a company asks for newly a fresher applicant but prior experience in this field will facilitate your work pressure. It is prudent for those employers who are employing Medical transcriptionists, expect a sound knowledge on anatomy, physiology and pharmacology terminology, as well as competent English. If you want to shine yourself as Medical transcriptionist you must go through a medical course which you can continue being physically present in an institution but the better option for you will to attain aonline course on that. Specially, if you are a worker already, online course will save your time. After the course is over you should work under the supervision of a medical practitioner in the first one or two years to gather experience.The remuneration of a medical transcriptionist may cheer you up with the earning of $40 per hour, depending on which country you are working. With the time you bag up experience, it will help to increase your income $1000 to $3000 per month. With Best Regards Maria

Coding School [2008-06-16]
I earn my Associates degree in medical billing and insurance coding all online at Herzing College. It is a great accredited college and I will be starting classes there again in July for my Bachelor�s degree in HIM. Check them out. Here is the link to some information. http://www.herzingonline.edu/programs/Health-Care-Management Good Luck in your future.

Ideas for letter [2008-06-09]
Hello, I was just wanting a little help. I am finishing up my program in about two weeks. I am having a problem finding a job because I have no medical office experience. I am currently writing a letter to Medical offices, clinics and hospitals seeking employment. I would like to know if anyone on here has done this and if you have any special wording or ideas I would really appreciate it. I plan on attaching my resume to the letter. I am even open to an internship of some sort just to get the experience. I just can It's the old you need experience but, how are you going to get experience if no one will let you try. Again, any help I would really appreciate. Thanks!!

NOISE!!! [2008-05-15]
I work at a hospital in the Health Information Management office. There is me, about 6 other transcriptionists, 3 coders and 5 clerks. It gets VERY loud. I know it gets frusturating, but you Also, if you could invest in (or get your company to buy) a pair of Bose headphones, you will be amazed at what a difference it makes. It cuts out probably 2/3 of the noise. Good LUCK!!!

Transcription question [2008-05-14]
Hello, I have a few questions. I amcurrently taking a medical transcription course. It actually is the final part of my program I have been taking.I am doing the Hillcrest Medical Center book. I am having lots of trouble with the cases in the book. Trouble hearing them and understanding them. My teacher says that I need to be flexible in my working conditions. See I am doing this transcription in a classroom with about 15 other women that are working all kinds of other things. Lots of talking, and other activities going on. My question is....Is this typical in an office? I have read that typically a Transcriptionist is working in a quite part of the office or at home. Also, transcription isn My other question is how do you get your foot in the door?? I only have a small amount of experience in an office and, that was a distribution office at that. I have no medical office experience. It is just so hard to get into any place because they want experience. I can Thanks

answer...kinda [2008-05-14]
Well, I am taking a course called Medical Information Tech. It has all the standard office stuff. Like word, excel, access, powerpoint, publisher and standard account. We also have medical coding, terminology, billing and transcription. It is a basic transcription class.

In office MT [2008-05-14]
I cannot speak for everybody, but I do work in an office as the only Transcriptionist and do not have an area off by myself (wish I did), and yes, there are overhead pages, phones ringing, people talking, people running faxes, printers, and just general chaos most of the time. It is difficult to concentrate on what you are doing. Oh, almost forgot - most people in the office just come to my desk and start talking or asking questions while I have my headphones on.This

In office MT [2008-05-14]
I cannot speak for everybody, but I do work in an office as the only Transcriptionist and do not have an area off by myself (wish I did), and yes, there are overhead pages, phones ringing, people talking, people running faxes, printers, and just general chaos most of the time. It is difficult to concentrate on what you are doing. Oh, almost forgot - most people in the office just come to my desk and start talking or asking questions while I have my headphones on.This has

In office MT [2008-05-14]
I cannot speak for everybody, but I do work in an office as the only Transcriptionist and do not have an area off by myself (wish I did), and yes, there are overhead pages, phones ringing, people talking, people running faxes, printers, and just general chaos most of the time. It is difficult to concentrate on what you are doing. Oh, almost forgot - most people in the office just come to my desk and start talking or asking questions while I have my headphones on.This has been my experience with working in a medical office.

My little cubby and I mean little [2008-05-14]
the boss. So, inevitably, everyone that came to see her, stopped to complain to us 2 transcriptionists first. No one ever said it would be easy, but some people like the chaos. You have to ignore a lot going on around you. Also, don That used to crack me up! As far as I was concerned anyone can answer a phone, but not a sole in the place could transcribe but us MTs (there were only 2 of us). The other thing that ticked me off was when I did take a break, I got the looks as if I should be typing for 8 hours straight, yet anyone else between patients could lolly-gag all they wanted and nothing was every said. Can you tell I It

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.

Re: getting a coding job [2008-01-19]
No, you donas release of information, and transcription editing. In this time I have inquired to other medical records depts at other hospitals and am finding that the coding students are getting jobs as new coders if they are already working in the medical records depts or in clinics, where the mgr in fact, one of my co-workers in the office was recently asked to become the new biller. Work your way in and let your studies be known, and don

coding diploma versus certificate [2007-12-19]
My hubby just finished his Anatomy class and received an A. I am so proud of him! He is going to school to become a coder. He already does patient registration and has an Associates in Business Administration. I am a Transcriptionist and he had spoken with other coders and they told him it would be best for him to go for his Medical Coding Diploma rather than just getting his certificate and also to take the courses for doctor's office coding as well as hospital. Once he is done with all this, where would the best place be for him to start looking for a coding position? He will be finished Spring 2009, as that is the way the classes will fall for him. He has been keeping an eye on any openings in his present employers Medical Record department. Any suggestions from any of you would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and Merry Christmas!

Andrews School [2007-10-18]
I am currently enrolled in their coding program and I think its great. I also know of someone who finished the course and then took national examination and passed it. They offer a lot of practice coding. You learn all aspects from hospital to Dr. office.

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.

There's a difference. Some people strictly code and some strictly [2007-09-24]
I I don't know about homebased.

Here's what I know.. [2007-09-20]
I have been doing medical insurance billing for doctor offices for over 10 years. I also do transcription. In the scope of my duties as a biller, I have to code diagnoses etc..So, I do have to have that experience and it goes hand in hand and at one job I had a monthly salary and at another I was paid hourly. You can go specifically into coding and become certified. I could also do it this within my billing but it wouldn Usually, certified coders are hired for hospitals and you would purely be coding so billing and do their thing. These kinds of coders are very detailed as you might have to code diagnoes of someone who is a critical patient with multiple diagnoses etc..so that is why hospitals hire certified coders. They may have other credentials that you get for further education in this area but I am not sure. So, it is all if you want to go small-time i.e. in a doctor's office versus going in a hospital and strictly into coding. I hope I helped a little. Please feel free to ask anymore questions and I'll do my best to answer.

MEDICAL CODING INFO [2007-07-03]
The receptionist in my Dentist I do MT. I do not know much about it so I told her I would find out. Her questions were: 1. Is it hard to get a job after schooling? 2. Is it profitable? 3. Is it done on site or in home? 4. Is is worth getting into? 5. Is there a website just for medical coders I can direct her to. THANKS SO MUCH AND HAPPY 4TH.