That's a good question. Try the coding board

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.

You made a good [2008-10-12]
Salaries are better in coding than other HIM areas until you get to the RHIA level. With coding training, you can get a job and begin earning the higher salary, then do the RHIT and RHIA at low-cost state schools. RHIAs make the most, but there aren't as many jobs. Coders have high salaries and lots of job choices. RHITs are beginning to be pushed to the bottom of the heap. Their only way out is pretty much through coding. AHIMA is working on requiring a masters degree for an RHIA, so if the RHIA is a direction you want to go in, best go now while you can still achieve it.

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.

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.

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 programs [2008-08-24]
Andrews has a coding program, but it might be more comprehensive than what you are looking for.

Since you were curious . . . [2008-11-04]
It's not a factor. I work for a very large, university affiliated, tertiary care facility. I think the problem is that I am talking about *learning coding,* while you are talking about everything else that goes with coding, especially with knowing what you're seeing on a day to day basis. Yes, new procedures crop up constantly, CMS changes its policies constantly, physicians document poorly constantly . . . those things you deal with as they occur. As it happens, I'm one of the people at my organization who determines how to deal with them, so I'm aware just how much of that there is. However, I took the original poster's question as an inquiry about *learning coding,* not all the other stuff. Let's look at what the OP asked about. She's STUDYING coding, so she's not seeing level 1 trauma and the newest procedures on the block. She's just having trouble learning to code--trouble learning to use the code sets. That might be ICD-9 or CPT, but the things she's trying to code are textbook examples, and those aren't cutting edge. It looked to me as though she was having trouble finding, say, 401.9 when asked to find hypertension or the code for a hernia repair or a chest x-ray. At that level, it's only difficult if there is something gone wrong. I offered help with that, because I believe it doesn't have to be that hard.

Not so rare a bird [2008-11-03]
I hope itday job, as well. I might be prejudiced, but I don't think so. I work with loads of coders -- upwards of 35-40 -- who don't have much trouble with it. They also like the $$$ they get for doing it. As with anything, I think it's a matter of experience, education, and expectations, with a good bit of innate ability thrown in.

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.

Redpen [2008-10-22]
I really do want this job, tired of transcription. I have until Friday to cram for it but I found the site you suggested and I think it will help. Hopefully, most of it will come back to me, I was pretty good at coding way back when. I really appreciate your input and will let you know how it goes.

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.

Andrews & MTec [2008-10-16]
These schools have billing and coding are they any good?

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.

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.

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.

They are NOT the only two schools!!!! [2008-09-30]
If you believe Rasmussen and DeVry are the only 2 colleges with online coding courses where you are eligible for the RHIT exam, you were misled. You do not need an RHIT to code. At most colleges, all the courses that are required for a coding certificate are also part of the RHIT degree program. When you finish them, you get a coding certificate, but you can continue on to get an RHIT. All the courses you took will apply. They are not the only online programs, either. The AHIMA website lists lots of them. All RHIT programs, and consequently coding certificate programs, are exactly the same--AHIMA requires them to teach the same material. What they are is far, far MORE EXPENSIVE than a coding certificate or RHIT program at a community college. You got suckered into attending twice as long as you need to and paying big bucks to do it because you were misled into thinking they were the only programs available online. San Juan Collge in Farmington, New Mexico, has a good RHIT and coding certificate program around, and it's only $40 a credit hour if you're from out of state. There aren't any extra fees, either. You can do that whole RHIT for about $2560.

Are you a graduate? [2008-09-29]
Your writing is certainly not a good recommendation for the program. I didn't think spamming was allowed here.

I am currently attending.... [2008-09-25]
Rasmussen College (online). I have quite a ways to go as I am working on a health information degree. I have been an MT for many years but need to move on. Rasmussen and Devry are the only 2 colleges with online courses for coding where you are actually eligibleto sit for the RHIT creditial exam once completed. I'm so excited!!!! Good luck to you!

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.

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

Scam [2008-09-08]
Youkits to get you started at around $300.....guess most things really ARE too good to come true?!?!

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.

CPT code [2008-08-30]
My boss has purchased a module for me to practice CPT coding. Although I will only be doing pathology this module covers alot. There are short QA's to answer that I can print out and use my books and take my time. This is only for my knowledge I get no credits, no nothing for this so there is no cheating going on. Its just a $12 module for CPT Concepts. Just wanted to explain that before I asked my question. This question pertains to CPT code 62278 and a modifier to go with it.Herein the CPT book. Is this maybe a typo in the question. I have the CPT 2008 Professional Edition. Cany anyone help me with this. I have been racking my brain on this for 2 days now. Thanks

You're right! It's has to be a typo. [2008-08-30]
There is no 62278. The codes go from 62273 to 62280. There aren't even any discontinued codes in there. I've sent you an email. If you'll tell me what the question is, perhaps I can figure out what it should have been.

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

I disagree [2008-08-27]
I think coding is considerably more difficult because it requires much greater analytical skills, considerably more understanding of the total disease process and pathophysiology and is much more subjective than transcription. It is that subjectivitiy that makes it more difficult. sometimes there can be more than one right code for a given scenario AND because it is so regulated by the insurance industry and the government, CMS mainly. Transcription, on the other hand, has a definite right and wrong. it is either what the dictator said or is isn I am not saying transcription is easy by any means. I fully understand the knowledge required to be a good MT and the challenges that transcription poses. I am simply saying that I find coding much more of a challenge. I have been transcribing for about 25 years and coding at a large teaching facility for about 6 years. Personally, I couldn't really compare the two. They are worlds apart. And one does not necessarily make it easier to transition to the other.

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.

Testing CCA./CCS w/out degree [2008-08-19]
I worked in healthcare for 10 years before staying home with my kids. I did mostly billing, but a lot of coding. 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...so I had a lot of experience. I am nowhere near an expert, but I have been home with my kids for 3 years, and I am thinking of taking the test, studying of course, but I dont want to spend $$$$ and a lot of it, and wait 2 years to get through a degree. I dont want to go back to work in a hospital again to get more experience... My question is, if i can pass the test, do you think I will be able to get a job with my experience?

Grass greener? [2008-07-24]
Hey everyone, I'm currently working at home as an MT (both me and my wife do this so that when we start our future family we can raise our own kids instead of having daycare do the same). Anyway. I've been thinking about adding coding to my skills, are there any coders who were MTs or visa versa. Is coding any better as far as how companies treat you, benefits etc? I dont want to spend money on school, invest the time, only to find out that coding is no good either. I appreciate your input.