Is Medical Coding for me

Coding [2008-11-06]
Oh great, more confusion to look forward to eh? Actually, I am working part time in coding and I am able to “train” on my time on harder charts that are already done, see how I do, then compare to what is coded. I love orthopedics, but the things I cannot find are because the docs call it one thing, and it is listed in the book as something else. For instance, cubital tunnel release. Yes, yes, I research heavily to find the cubital tunnel, and the operation, but I can’t seem to pull the trigger on the correct answer in actuality. I know the answers are all there.

Redpen, do you teach coding anywhere? [2008-11-05]
Thanks.

Coding is [2008-11-03]
I like coding because it It is truly a rare bird that calls coding straightforward and clear! It is straightforward and clear to you. I doubt there are many very experienced coders who would use those words to describe coding. You are a rare bird.

I am learning coding, it is very difficult and [2008-11-01]
I am not sure I like it, in fact I hate it some days. I canI love coding so far. I do see people saying that! If you love coding, why? I can't see it from here.

Why I like coding [2008-11-01]
[quote]I am not sure I like it, in fact I hate it some days. I canI love coding so far. I do see people saying that! If you love coding, why? I can't see it from here. [/quote] I like coding because it's very straightforward and clear. I enjoy reading medical documentation and figuring out what diagnoses should be coded. I also enjoy reading operative reports and figuring out what exactly they did so that I can code it. You say you can't find the answers sometimes. I know it sounds weird to say this, but the answers are all there. If you can't find them, you're probably not looking for them the right way. You might have the wrong concept of what to do or the wrong expectations. That's not meant to diminish your feelings or make you feel bad, but to point out that you might not have been shown how to do this correctly. What are you studying now and in what setting? What book? CPT? ICD-9-CM? Commercial course? Online college course? Trying to teach yourself? Do you have an instructor? Is the instructor a certified coder? What do they say about this? If this is a college course, my guess is that you're trying to make heads or tails of course materials and trying to get a computer program to accept your answers. It probably seems like a random guess process to you. If so, that could be your problem. It might not be YOU, but the fact that you can't figure out what to do because you aren't getting any reliable feedback from the computer or the instructor who can't code! If you're learning ICD-9 diagnosis coding right now, there is a certain process to use that will enable you to find the right code. It's not torturous, but it can involve cross-referencing. However, if you keep track of what you're looking at (write it all down) you can keep it straight. The more of it you do, the easier it becomes and the less you'll have to write down. You have to develop your skill with regards to this. It's exactly like learning to ride a bicycle.

Coding certifications [2008-10-22]
It is getting so that you really will want a certification to enhance your chances of getting a best-paid job. Employers are looking more toward certifications, since using certified coders helps them ensure accuracy, reduce training costs, and demonstrate that they did everything they could to ensure compliance with standards. Which certification you would want will depend on the type of coding you wish to pursue. Right now, there are fewer inpatient coding jobs (understandably) than outpatient. That's going to affect your choice. The AAPC CPC certification is primarily for outpatient coding, so that's a good place to start if you want to do outpatient coding. If you want to do inpatient coding, then you'd go for an AHIMA CCS. That's another good place to start. The AAPC CCPC-H and AHIMA CCS-P can be added on, as well. The best plan is to get one from each organization. That way, you're covered no matter whether the prospective employer is more familiar with AHIMA or AAPC credentials. If you're leaning toward hospital or medical center coding, an AHIMA certification will help. For outpatient clinic settings, AAPC certifications are far more common.

Where can you find Medical coding/billing jobs online? [2008-10-22]
I will be graduating with a diploma for Medical Billing and Coding at the end of next month. I was so excited until I found out how hard it is to find online jobs! My current family situation will not allow for me to be able to work away from the home so if I can't find something online then I would have just racked up $25,000 in student loans for nothing. I would appreciate any feed back!! Thanks so Much!

I'm currently taking a diploma course for medical coding and billing... Here are the books I am u [2008-10-22]
Step-By-Step Medical Coding by Carol J. Buck Step-By-Step Medical Coding Workbook by Carol J. Buck Insurance Handbook for the Medical Office by Marilyn T. Fordney Insurance Handbook for the Medical Office Student Workbook by Marilyn T. Fordney The Language of Medicine by Davi-Ellen Chabner Quick Guide to HIPAA for the Physician's Office Mosby's Medical, Nursing, & Allied Health Dictionary by Elsevier Mosby CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) by AMA (American Medical Association) ICD 9 CM (I believe the ICD 10 has come out but I haven't gotten that one yet) ICD 9 CM stands for International Classification of Diseases 9th revision Clinical Modification by PMIC HCPCS ( Health Care Procedure Coding System) National Level II Medicare Codes by PMIC Like I said I am currently enrolled in a colege course for medical billing/coding, and will be recieving a diploma and these are all the books I have needed (for the coding part, I have also had anatomy, pycology, and several other regular courses, but the above books are all I needed for the coding parts) I hope this info helps! I wish I knew you didn't have to go to school for it, I would have saved $2500o, well minus the prices for the books. From what I have been reading recently all you need to do is be able to pass the certification test, so you should be able to teach your self with these books!

Coding test [2008-10-21]
I stopped coding about 6 years ago when I came home to work and before that, I was doing inpatient and clinic coding which is what the test will consist of, mainly inpatient. The only thing she told me about the test is that I will be given a few charts and will have to code them so I am hoping it will all come back to me.

coding review [2008-10-21]
Get yourself a copy of the Official Coding Guidelines and study those. Google official coding guidelines. The new ones have an effective date of 10/1/2008. Really study those well. All the rules are right there.

Coding test [2008-10-21]
Thanks for the suggestion, found them, will study hard, and go see if coding is like riding a bike...

Coding test for job... [2008-10-20]
Open question, I have been transcribing for 14 years, have 6 years experience in coding but not recent. I have an opportunity for a coding position which requires testing, any tips from current coders on how to do well on this test? TIA for any help.

if you REALLY want to teach yourself coding [2008-10-07]
Start out with Faye Brown's ICD-9-CM Coding Handbook. It is a definitive learning tool and can be purchased on the AHIMA website, www.AHIMA.org. Then get yourself a copy of the Official Coding Guidelines (they might be included in the book, not sure). The Guidelines were just updated and are effective 10/1/2008. AHIMA will be a good starting place for study materials. A review guide is not the place to start because it is what it says, a review guide, which assumes you already know how to code. AHIMA has the basic books to learn both ICD and CPT coding. You will need to learn both. I am a coder in a large level 1 trauma center and teaching hospital in the midwest. Around here, you can get a job with a CCA but for outpatient coding only. You do need a CCS for inpatient coding, Most hospitals here prefer AHIMA credentials over AAPC.

Starting out in Coding or billing [2008-10-06]
Hi, I've been an MT for about 8 years but would like to learn medical billing and coding procedures. I plan on teaching myself as much as possible (and asking people that I know who are professional coders questions) and then taking the 4 day boot camp & take the CPC-A (apprentice) exam. What would you ladies suggest I start with? A CPC study guide? I am about 90% sure I can obtain a job in my hospital once I actually have a certification. Thank you so much in advance! By the way, I already have med term., a&p I and II w/ labs, and have an extensive knowledge about anatomy. The thing I need brushing up on are meds/surgical instruments, etc... Thanks again for your help!!

E-learning training for billing coding and transcribing [2008-09-26]
I work for the number one E-learning provider in the world. We have been providing students with training since 1991. We offer the cca exam training for coding the cmcp exam training for billing and the RMT and CMT training for transcribers. I would love to work with anyone seeking a great cost effective option to achieve their objectives. We will not be the cheapest choice. We will be a fraction of the cost of a regular school though. Please call me robert guess 1-800-653-4933 ext 3175 mon-fri 9-6 est time zone for details. Thank you. We train in a see it do it test it environment allowing you to learn the material at your own pace and supplying you an environment conducive to learning the material and knowledge needed to one pass the exams but allowing you to practice in the environments (a type of flight simulation) which you will see in the real world.

Is it important that a coding school offer ICD-10 [2008-09-26]
nm

Good online medical coding school [2008-09-21]
I would like to know if anyone could recommend a good medical coding school and how is the outlook for medical coding? Will these jobs eventually be outsourced to India? Any info would help.

Outlook for coding [2008-09-21]
The outlook for coding is very good. There is an increasing need for coders, due to the type of reimbursement system used in the United States and an ageing population which requires more medical care, among other things. There are already a huge number of coding positions going unfilled due to a shortage of coders. Within the next several years, the United States will likely be switching to a more complex coding system. It is expected that many older coders will choose to retire and less competent coders will seek other work rather than try to make the switch. It is thought that a huge number of jobs will open up just prior to the changeover to ICD-10. Large-scale outsourcing the jobs to India is unlikely. There has been an actual decrease in interest in this, with some of the federal sector healthcare entities banning offshoring entirely. It is expected that the private sector will follow. Unlike some other jobs, there is a high need for control of the coding and reimbursement process. Coding has a critical effect on reimbursement, with errors resulting in lost income and the potential for huge fines and criminal sanctions. Offshore workers cannot be held liable for this, which has served to squelch interest in offshoring. Recent developments in privacy and security requirements (HIPAA), with the threat of medical identity theft, are cooling interest in offshoring, as well. As an occupation, coding offers good potential for advancement. Even if it becomes possible to assign codes via software, the higher level jobs will still be necessary and available. Coders will move easily into other roles.

I want to switch from MT to coding, where are the jobs posted? [2008-09-18]
I have been a Transcriptionist for 12 years and want to do something else. Where do you find the job postings to apply for these jobs?

home coding [2008-09-13]
I can't speak to billing, but there is an abundance of home coding jobs. Do you have any credential? without credentials, you would not be able to get one of the home coding jobs. With a credential, the market is wide open. Try reading Advance for HIM or the Journal of AHIMA. Advance is a free publication and you and you get on electronic transmission for this one. The Journal you would have to subscribe but might find at the library. There is another free one but I can't remember the name, think it's something with Forward. Anyway, they all have classifieds and you would find many, many coding opportunities. I work for a company based in Florida, live in Wisconsin, and have done home coding for them for 6 years, but i know they will not hire without a credential.

A Career as a Medical Transcriptionist [2008-09-09]
You’ve very likely heard of someone who is making a good living as a medical transcriptionist. He or she might even be working from the comfort of their home. And you’ve probably asked yourself if this might be a career option for you. It may well be. Let’s take a look at the facts. What exactly is medical transcription? In the course of their work, doctors and other healthcare professionals make dictated recordings of various things including physical examination observations, patient history, operative reports, referral letters, discharge summaries, observations regarding imaging data and so on. A medical Transcriptionist listens to these recordings and transcribes them into medical reports, correspondence, etc. She listens to a segment of recording, pauses the playback and keys in what is said before moving on to the next segment. She may do some editing for better grammar and clarity. The transcribed document is sent back to the health care provider who then reviews it for accuracy and gets it signed. These documents become part of the patient’s medical history records and perhaps insurance records. Many distance education programs, colleges and vocational schools offer post-secondary training in medical transcription. Having a degree is not essential. With a home-study course, you can usually pick up the necessary knowledge within a year, often in less than nine months. You can find work in hospitals, laboratories, physician’s offices, firms offering transcription services, government medical facilities and so on. Working from home is also a possibility and many employers offer work-at-home options for transcriptionists. Apart from that, many individuals work as independent contractors. What equipment would you need, if you wanted to do medical transcription at home? Not very much -- a computer with a medical spellchecker, printer, a transcriber and reference books are about all you need. To help you save on the actual typing, a word Expander utility might help. If you are on a tight budget, buy second hand equipment will do just as well. Medical transcription work does call for certain skills and mindset. Apart from basic computer skills, you must be detail oriented. If detail work bores you to tears, this might not be the career for you. You must know typing, although speed will come with practice. You should also have excellent listening skills and grammar skills. If you’re planning to work from home, it is essential to be comfortable with working alone and meeting deadlines. You must be a self-starter who can work consistently without being driven by a boss. For More Visit our sites With Best Regards Linda

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

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.

free medical billing test [2008-08-30]
I know there is some free stuff at www.ritecode.com Not sure what all is there but this may help you.

Coding Jobs [2008-08-25]
I What are the chances of getting a work-at-home coding job? I am currently working as an MT from home, and the company I work for seems todo coding, but it really isn

Coding is [2008-11-03]
I like coding because it It is truly a rare bird that calls coding straightforward and clear! It is straightforward and clear to you. I doubt there are many very experienced coders who would use those words to describe coding. You are a rare bird.

I am just curious ... [2008-11-03]
about the size of the facility you work for and if that has some bearing on your answer. I work for a very large teaching hospital with 100s of clinic and a level 1 trauma center as well as a medical college facility, which also means we are using cutting edge technology and the newest of procedures and techniques as well as the most challenging diagnoses. People come from nationwide to some of the specialists at our facility. I work with a very large staff of coding professionals and you would hear very, very few members of our staff say it is straightforward. Perhaps if you work in a different setting or smaller facility it may be not as challenging as what we deal with. I truly do not mean to be snotty here and honestly am just wondering if that might play a role.

Why I like coding [2008-11-01]
[quote]I am not sure I like it, in fact I hate it some days. I canI love coding so far. I do see people saying that! If you love coding, why? I can't see it from here. [/quote] I like coding because it's very straightforward and clear. I enjoy reading medical documentation and figuring out what diagnoses should be coded. I also enjoy reading operative reports and figuring out what exactly they did so that I can code it. You say you can't find the answers sometimes. I know it sounds weird to say this, but the answers are all there. If you can't find them, you're probably not looking for them the right way. You might have the wrong concept of what to do or the wrong expectations. That's not meant to diminish your feelings or make you feel bad, but to point out that you might not have been shown how to do this correctly. What are you studying now and in what setting? What book? CPT? ICD-9-CM? Commercial course? Online college course? Trying to teach yourself? Do you have an instructor? Is the instructor a certified coder? What do they say about this? If this is a college course, my guess is that you're trying to make heads or tails of course materials and trying to get a computer program to accept your answers. It probably seems like a random guess process to you. If so, that could be your problem. It might not be YOU, but the fact that you can't figure out what to do because you aren't getting any reliable feedback from the computer or the instructor who can't code! If you're learning ICD-9 diagnosis coding right now, there is a certain process to use that will enable you to find the right code. It's not torturous, but it can involve cross-referencing. However, if you keep track of what you're looking at (write it all down) you can keep it straight. The more of it you do, the easier it becomes and the less you'll have to write down. You have to develop your skill with regards to this. It's exactly like learning to ride a bicycle.

What is the "typical" day for an inpatient coder like? [2008-10-23]
I'm at the beginning stages of investigating hospital-based coding as a career, and I'm just trying to get a feel for what the job is like before I sign up for some expensive schooling (although so far, it all sounds fascinating). I Do you always have a stack of manualsto consult, or is there specialized software you access in order to enter the codes? How do you know what documents to access? How long was it before you first felt competent at your job? Assuming I start school in January, what can I be studying beforehand to get a headstart (I have the medical terminology down, and IP course).

Coding certifications [2008-10-22]
It is getting so that you really will want a certification to enhance your chances of getting a best-paid job. Employers are looking more toward certifications, since using certified coders helps them ensure accuracy, reduce training costs, and demonstrate that they did everything they could to ensure compliance with standards. Which certification you would want will depend on the type of coding you wish to pursue. Right now, there are fewer inpatient coding jobs (understandably) than outpatient. That's going to affect your choice. The AAPC CPC certification is primarily for outpatient coding, so that's a good place to start if you want to do outpatient coding. If you want to do inpatient coding, then you'd go for an AHIMA CCS. That's another good place to start. The AAPC CCPC-H and AHIMA CCS-P can be added on, as well. The best plan is to get one from each organization. That way, you're covered no matter whether the prospective employer is more familiar with AHIMA or AAPC credentials. If you're leaning toward hospital or medical center coding, an AHIMA certification will help. For outpatient clinic settings, AAPC certifications are far more common.

Where can you find Medical coding/billing jobs online? [2008-10-22]
I will be graduating with a diploma for Medical Billing and Coding at the end of next month. I was so excited until I found out how hard it is to find online jobs! My current family situation will not allow for me to be able to work away from the home so if I can't find something online then I would have just racked up $25,000 in student loans for nothing. I would appreciate any feed back!! Thanks so Much!

I'm currently taking a diploma course for medical coding and billing... Here are the books I am u [2008-10-22]
Step-By-Step Medical Coding by Carol J. Buck Step-By-Step Medical Coding Workbook by Carol J. Buck Insurance Handbook for the Medical Office by Marilyn T. Fordney Insurance Handbook for the Medical Office Student Workbook by Marilyn T. Fordney The Language of Medicine by Davi-Ellen Chabner Quick Guide to HIPAA for the Physician's Office Mosby's Medical, Nursing, & Allied Health Dictionary by Elsevier Mosby CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) by AMA (American Medical Association) ICD 9 CM (I believe the ICD 10 has come out but I haven't gotten that one yet) ICD 9 CM stands for International Classification of Diseases 9th revision Clinical Modification by PMIC HCPCS ( Health Care Procedure Coding System) National Level II Medicare Codes by PMIC Like I said I am currently enrolled in a colege course for medical billing/coding, and will be recieving a diploma and these are all the books I have needed (for the coding part, I have also had anatomy, pycology, and several other regular courses, but the above books are all I needed for the coding parts) I hope this info helps! I wish I knew you didn't have to go to school for it, I would have saved $2500o, well minus the prices for the books. From what I have been reading recently all you need to do is be able to pass the certification test, so you should be able to teach your self with these books!

About the bootcamp... [2008-10-07]
They have them all over the U.S. each week in different cities. It's basically a seminar that goes over all aspects of coding and then you can take the exam. A friend of mine just did it and obtained a position in a teaching hospital making 45K/year. She did, however, have about 5 years experience with medicare claims that needed to be re-sent to medicare after they'd been denied or something like that. So I'm sure that helped her get the medical billing auditor job she has now. I certainly don't expect to make that much starting out lol, but it'd be nice to do auditing in the future as I love to investigate things. The bootcamps cost 1500$ roughly. That doesn't include room/board, just the classes and exam. Apparently the exam is open book 150 questions.

Starting out in Coding or billing [2008-10-06]
Hi, I've been an MT for about 8 years but would like to learn medical billing and coding procedures. I plan on teaching myself as much as possible (and asking people that I know who are professional coders questions) and then taking the 4 day boot camp & take the CPC-A (apprentice) exam. What would you ladies suggest I start with? A CPC study guide? I am about 90% sure I can obtain a job in my hospital once I actually have a certification. Thank you so much in advance! By the way, I already have med term., a&p I and II w/ labs, and have an extensive knowledge about anatomy. The thing I need brushing up on are meds/surgical instruments, etc... Thanks again for your help!!

I am in NO way confused.... [2008-10-02]
Iworked in medical records for a few years before working from home, so I know exactly how it runs and what the job duties are because I participated in many of them. I also worked with coders who had worked in the field for 10 years and stillhad to go through an accredited program before being eligible to sit for their exams. The program that I am taking is heavy in coding, so sorry dear, but I won Also, once I complete all studies that I plan to take I will be eligible for the RHIA exam. I

You can sit for the exam with NO course. [2008-10-01]
You seem to be confused about the exams and credentials. You are warning others to be careful of which school they pick because just because you finish a coding course doesn That's not correct. You can sit for any CODING certification offered by AHIMA or AAPC even if you DON'T finish a coding course. You don't even have to start! They only require a high school diploma. AHIMA doesn't even require experience. You do need to be careful of what school you pick because some of them don't produce employable coders. As for you, your course is a 2-year RHIT program. You DO need the course in order to sit for the RHIT exam. However, an RHIT program is not a degree in management. It is a technical degree. ThatT is for--technician. It will qualify you to be a worker bee in a medical records environment--the same job people off the street can get. You can put together patient records, shelve and retrieve them, make photocopies to release patient information, check reports for signatures, etc. A better job would be coding. It pays better and it's more interesting. It takes less time, too. You could do all the coding first, then get a job while you do the rest. The RHIA is the management degree. There are RHITs who work their way up into management in small facilities, but most of them end up filing records or coding. RHIAs run the show.

Good online medical coding school [2008-09-21]
I would like to know if anyone could recommend a good medical coding school and how is the outlook for medical coding? Will these jobs eventually be outsourced to India? Any info would help.

Outlook for coding [2008-09-21]
The outlook for coding is very good. There is an increasing need for coders, due to the type of reimbursement system used in the United States and an ageing population which requires more medical care, among other things. There are already a huge number of coding positions going unfilled due to a shortage of coders. Within the next several years, the United States will likely be switching to a more complex coding system. It is expected that many older coders will choose to retire and less competent coders will seek other work rather than try to make the switch. It is thought that a huge number of jobs will open up just prior to the changeover to ICD-10. Large-scale outsourcing the jobs to India is unlikely. There has been an actual decrease in interest in this, with some of the federal sector healthcare entities banning offshoring entirely. It is expected that the private sector will follow. Unlike some other jobs, there is a high need for control of the coding and reimbursement process. Coding has a critical effect on reimbursement, with errors resulting in lost income and the potential for huge fines and criminal sanctions. Offshore workers cannot be held liable for this, which has served to squelch interest in offshoring. Recent developments in privacy and security requirements (HIPAA), with the threat of medical identity theft, are cooling interest in offshoring, as well. As an occupation, coding offers good potential for advancement. Even if it becomes possible to assign codes via software, the higher level jobs will still be necessary and available. Coders will move easily into other roles.

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.

A Career as a Medical Transcriptionist [2008-09-09]
You’ve very likely heard of someone who is making a good living as a medical transcriptionist. He or she might even be working from the comfort of their home. And you’ve probably asked yourself if this might be a career option for you. It may well be. Let’s take a look at the facts. What exactly is medical transcription? In the course of their work, doctors and other healthcare professionals make dictated recordings of various things including physical examination observations, patient history, operative reports, referral letters, discharge summaries, observations regarding imaging data and so on. A medical Transcriptionist listens to these recordings and transcribes them into medical reports, correspondence, etc. She listens to a segment of recording, pauses the playback and keys in what is said before moving on to the next segment. She may do some editing for better grammar and clarity. The transcribed document is sent back to the health care provider who then reviews it for accuracy and gets it signed. These documents become part of the patient’s medical history records and perhaps insurance records. Many distance education programs, colleges and vocational schools offer post-secondary training in medical transcription. Having a degree is not essential. With a home-study course, you can usually pick up the necessary knowledge within a year, often in less than nine months. You can find work in hospitals, laboratories, physician’s offices, firms offering transcription services, government medical facilities and so on. Working from home is also a possibility and many employers offer work-at-home options for transcriptionists. Apart from that, many individuals work as independent contractors. What equipment would you need, if you wanted to do medical transcription at home? Not very much -- a computer with a medical spellchecker, printer, a transcriber and reference books are about all you need. To help you save on the actual typing, a word Expander utility might help. If you are on a tight budget, buy second hand equipment will do just as well. Medical transcription work does call for certain skills and mindset. Apart from basic computer skills, you must be detail oriented. If detail work bores you to tears, this might not be the career for you. You must know typing, although speed will come with practice. You should also have excellent listening skills and grammar skills. If you’re planning to work from home, it is essential to be comfortable with working alone and meeting deadlines. You must be a self-starter who can work consistently without being driven by a boss. For More Visit our sites With Best Regards Linda

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

At-Home Scams [2008-09-07]
Has anybody clicked on the add that comes up on the top of this page from time to time that asks you if you want to make major money working part time at home. I clicked on it and it said something about Rebate Processor Positions. I figure it is another scam and I should not have clicked on it, but I am getting sick of making pennies per line for the past 10 years doing medical transcription and getting no where. Anyway, I was just curious if anybody knows anything about this potential scam?? Thanks!

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.

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.

Actually, [2008-08-22]
Well, in the interest of brevity, i left out the part, where i went to the coders and talked to them, and they went to the doctors and got the correct documentation, it was all done legally and with my supervisor's and the Medical records supervisor's permission. I worked for a very large hospital, and no fraud was committed.

biling vs coding [2008-08-20]
I have seen on this forum in addition to multiple other the difficulty which new coders are having gaining entry-level employment. Is this also true in medical billing or is billing easier to get a foot in the door with training but no experience? What is the difference in pay for billers vs coders?

Free Medical billing test [2008-08-19]
I am trying to refresh my skills in medical billing after being off a few years to raise my kids. I also have had a billing service for many years and wanted to test my skils. Are there any websites around that will give me a test. Thanks

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.

cancer [2008-08-06]
I would get in touch with MD Anderson Medical Center in Houston, Texas. They would be your best source of information.