MT Training

MT Training [2008-03-09]
Career Step is just as good for transcription training and it is cheaper.

Medical Transcription Training [2008-03-05]
I was wondering if anyone had taken the Medical Transcription course at Exact-Med-UTTC Transcription Training. It seems to be long and expensive, but says once you finish you are at acute care level 4 dictation. I'm not really familiar with all this and was wondering if this would really give me an advantage to finding a job.

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!

Coding training course [2006-09-14]
I currently work F/T as an MT for a local hospital who has tuition reimbursement for related training. I am thinking of transitioning from MT to coding, as from what I understand, the pay is better. Any suggestions on on-line ACCREDITED courses out there? Any advice would be greatly appreciated from all you seasoned coders out there.

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?

How with no experience do I get a billing/coding job? [2008-08-11]
Ok I have a two year degree in coding and transcription and training in coding/billing. How do I get a job in billing/coding if no one wants to hire you? They all say we hired someone who had both the billing and coding experience. It is so frustrating for entry level people like me. I have 1-1/2 month experience in coding thanks to a temporary position with the city. Other than that I just have my two year degree and certification. Anyone have any ideas or advice? Thanks! Coder/biller with little experience

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 coding career is better than MT [2008-04-01]
For those MT's who are planning to get in to medical coding, i would like to say that medical coding is far better career than MT. I was a MT for two years and then switched to coding. I feel like jumping into a heaven. Moneywise, coding is 10 times better than MT. The job is cool and once you finish your training and OJT period, then everything becomes fine. So go for coding. Job prospects are good. There is huge shortage of medical coders in US. Also, coders are required in Pharma industry and Clinical Research, so growth prospects are also good. for more info on medical coding check http://medicalcodingindia.blogspot.com/

MT Training [2008-03-09]
Career Step is just as good for transcription training and it is cheaper.

Medical Transcription Training [2008-03-05]
I was wondering if anyone had taken the Medical Transcription course at Exact-Med-UTTC Transcription Training. It seems to be long and expensive, but says once you finish you are at acute care level 4 dictation. I'm not really familiar with all this and was wondering if this would really give me an advantage to finding a job.

school [2007-11-22]
I have been coding for about 12 years and had on the job training. I borrowed some books from a friend who had taken the AAPC course and studied her books..took the test back in September and did not pass it, ordered the CPC-P study guide studied it and retook the test on the 10th and passed. AAPC has a good independent study program and they offer classes at different sites. The website is AAPC.org (If that isn't correct you can type in American Academy of Professional Coders and get the link from there. Sandy

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...

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.

Medical Billing & Coding Question [2007-09-20]
I am currently an MT and I am considering training in Medical Billing/Coding but have a couple general questions: Are these one in the same - billing/coding or two completely different positions? How do you get paid? Is it by production? Any information would be much appreciated. Thank you!

Transcriptionist interested in coding [2007-08-09]
Hi I am an MT also (for 20+ years) and was wondering the same thing. I work at home now, but was at acute care facility for about 10 years in transcription. Had a little beginning training in coding but would not remember much.

Coding Business book [2007-07-17]
Independent Medical Coding, May 2007 go to Rayveproductions.com. How to became an independent medical coder, where/how to get training and lots more.

I forgot! [2006-10-20]
I'm sorry but I should have mentioned that coding at home is also becoming an option. At the first hospital I mentioned one of the coders told me she'd been getting mail from one of the suburban hospitals offering training to do coding at home for them. It would have consisted of learning their program and meant that she would have had to spend every Saturday morning for a month training, but then would have been set up at home. I was told once that just about every job in the HIM Departments at hospitals could be done by outsourcing and it looks like that may be the direction things are heading. They outsource their medical record copying, transcription and now are starting on coding. It's probably a really good time to think about either trans or coding with some of the changes that are taking place in the insurance business. Even with Electronic Recod Keeping being implemented in hospitals, there will be an even greater need for people with these skills - and many at home. Judy

Both courses..... [2006-09-18]
assume you have no prior training in coding.

Coding training course [2006-09-14]
I currently work F/T as an MT for a local hospital who has tuition reimbursement for related training. I am thinking of transitioning from MT to coding, as from what I understand, the pay is better. Any suggestions on on-line ACCREDITED courses out there? Any advice would be greatly appreciated from all you seasoned coders out there.

What I did for 14 years!!! [2006-07-22]
Sorry it took me so long to answer you. I haven't been here for a few days. I worked for a company that did Release of Information for hospitals/clinics. We copied medical records for attorney, insurance, physician and patients requests. We were full-service so also took care of all data entry and related phone calls, etc. It was fine, but after 14 years I just wanted a change. My one year's experience in the billing field was interesting, but I wouldn't have stayed where I was - a small service and I was the first employee she'd hired. The pay was awful, and I never did get the full-time hours I'd wanted. She believed that since she was doing me the favor of training me, whatever she decided to do with me was fine. It was just a matter of time before I quit - in fact, she lost another girl that had worked with her for only 6 months for the same reasons. However, I did enjoy what I learned and want to continue, but was just hoping there might be some aspect I could do at home. I'm not sure I personally feel ready to try my own account, but think it's a wonderful idea! Judy

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

medical billing field [2006-07-16]
Hi, I have been doing medical billng since 1986. This was back before electronic filing and when computers were just becoming popular in this field. I used to type on a selectric II over 100 1500 claims per day. Now since the age of technology medical billing hasbecome much better to do. I did not have formal training. There weren't medical billing schools in those days; at least not the way you seethem everywhere now. I do not think there are many employers who will hire someone to do billing at home. But you can work from home if you know what to do.First you would have to set up your own service, market your services and get the contract with the doctor. The key is to not let the doctor know you are working from home. There's a website called universalclass.com that has lots of medical billing courses and a couple of courses on starting your own business. Start there; but the only way to work from home doing billing, in my opinion is to start your own service. It is possible and people are doing it. I also have my own service; I only market to doctors withold A/R. There are so many types of service you can offer doctors such as: Accounts receivable recovery insurance verifications patient billing and collections billing only (data entry) electronic claims filing Credentialling................etc. The medical billing field is wide open for qualified people, just as MTs hope this help