My place of employment

My place of employment [2008-02-24]
of 14 years began doing this. They were asking us (transcriptionists) to do the coding. We had a cheat sheet to go by. I absolutely hated it. Being the transcription supervisor I told the higher ups that 1) we were not being paid coder pay scale and 2) I did not feel comfortable with this at all. They pulled this responsibility away from us and the head of medical records became the facilitycoder using the cheat sheet. I do not think this is wise at all.

Healing and employment [2007-11-19]
Please pray for healing for my daughter Jen. It She's had it for about a week. My son-in-law is looking for a good job that he has a degree for (music engineerer). Something in the music field or media. He is excellent at what he does. He just needs an open door. He is such a blessing at church! My husband wants to go to church, but just can He needs divine assistance to breakthrough some strongholds established from childhood. My father-in-law is recovering from some strokes. His legs are paralyzed. My mother-in-law has back problems and arthritis and is in serious pain. My friend, Linda. She is having back surgery in December (it will take 2 surgeries on 2 days). She is in much pain and has even checked overseas for an alternative treatment, but cannot get around the surgery. Her condition is too serious. She can't feel her feet. My friend Rex, who is also having back problems and will see a surgeon regarding treatment. Pastor Dennis has a skin condition and back problems. Under some serious enemy attack. Needs divine protection, encouragement, healing, and strength. Greater anointing and sensitivity to God as I minister at church (keyboard and vocals, and teaching).

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.

Thank you for the encouragement and information [2008-10-08]
Thanks again for the info and encouragement that if I put my mind to it that I can do it :o) I'm pretty young, late 20s, and have no children, and only work about 25 hours per week so I have a LOT of time on my hands LOL So, I figure why not use it to challenge myself to learn something new. Also, that's a great idea to get involved maybe with outpatient coding first, maybe with an imaging center or an urgent care type place first. I don't pretend to know anything much about surgeries or what they charge or use during a surgery (except what I see on TV) haha. j/k :-) I'm excited, and what I'm hoping for is that if I put at least some effort in knowing this information and at least start learning it, that maybe as we transfer into Voice recognition with transcription at the hospital I work for, and instead of loosing my job to V.R., maybe they'll let me transfer into a billing department as a Newbie to learn. Thanks again ladies, this was so very helpful to me! Have a great day :-)

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.

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?

MT and coder pay [2008-06-18]
That's interesting about the MT and coder pay. During my performance evaluation, my boss and I were talking about what I was going to school for, how undecided I was, and I told her that I was considering coding as a minor. She (an MSN) told me that if I did coding, I would be in the same place that I am now and that MT and coders are at the same pay level.

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!!

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

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

Everett Community College [2008-04-29]
Has anyone heard or gone through Everett CC for their coding? I know they are with CareerStep. I will hopefully hear something from them soon about enrollment. I basically was referred by CareerStep to them because I needed the financial aid. I was just wondering if it is worth it to pursue this further or if I should look somewhere else. I have done some research on it, but I would like to hear some personal opinions about the place too. Thanks Meagan

Thanks [2008-02-25]
I'm already working from home doing transcription, which I love. (Focus) I think I saw something about Focus having employment for coders too. I'll have to look into that, because I also want to do both from home. Anyway thanks.

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!

Newbie w/questions??? [2007-08-20]
I am wanting to take a course in billing and coding and was wondering where the best place would be to take the course and get enough out of it to be certified. Also what would be the best one to be certified in to begin with? I know there are several different certifications. Thanks in advance!

Coding and Billing [2007-03-20]
As I have seen a lot of people post, I am going to repost the question and hope to get an answer. What is the best way/school/place to learn coding and billing? I am a nebie MT and not having a lot of fun with it and am insterested in coding and/or billing. Can anyone help me out here? Thanks

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