To any biller or coder. I am just wondering SM

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).

I was wondering the same thing... [2008-09-12]
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MT to coder [2008-07-06]
I have already posted this message on themain board, but I It ispretty much the same question as themessage below me, butI would REALLY appreciate any advice that I can get from anyone who is either looking into coding or is already in the business.I am currently a Transcriptionist at a hospital and I am really interested in getting into the coding business. I was just wondering if there are any of you out there who have made this transition and if you have any tips or warnings for me. Any advice is appreciated.

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.

Link fr charts showing nat'l coder pay stats [2008-05-10]
So sorry, when I posted my link did not follow! Her is the link for the coder pay stats as well as to the American Health Information Management Assoc. http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Medical_Records_Coder/Hourly_Rate http://www.ahima.org/

To any biller or coder. I am just wondering SM [2008-03-31]
if the amount you are paid keeps getting lower and lower like the MT/ME? Can

Biller/coder/MT...jack of all trades [2008-03-31]
My pay in the insurance billing end of it has never gone down as I am paid hourly. Over the years, the pay hasn't gone up across the board a great deal but I was blessed to work at private doctor offices where the physicians were very generous in giving yearly raises and bonuses. MT-ing is the only business that I know that has taken a drop in pay over the years rather than upward which is the norm. I have found myself worker a lot harder to make it these days when I have stuck with MT-ing. It takes me 12-15 hours a day MT-ing to make when I can in an 8-hour day doing billing.

Re coder pay [2008-03-03]
wow, with 12yrs exp AND your cert, you should be making (depending on the co) somewhere between $20-$30/hr....you're a hot commodity w/ that much exp and the certification! If you're not making that much, look around - a lot of the companies hiring coders to work from home require 2-3yrs exp and cert., and offer that much based on less exp than you've got!

biller & coders [2007-03-23]
Career Step has Coding and Billing education available.

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!

you've got that right! [2008-11-03]
I am a certified coder and there is nothing straightforward and clear about it. It has the potential to be, but only if physicians would improve their documentation practices! coding is very challenging and often murky and is truly a love it or hate it deal with nothing in the middle.

Love it / Hate it [2008-11-03]
I am a codercertified with AHIMA and AAPC. Coding really is straight forward. If the information is there you code it. If the physician doesn't document clearly then you send a query. The coding guidelines guide you to what can or cannot be coded. Remember to take things one step at a time. Review the guidelinesand write everything down. Thiswill make coding much easier for you.

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.

Redpen, mind answering a couple of questions? [2008-10-31]
What is a realistic expectation of pay for a certified coder? How are certified coders paid in a virtual position? (Ex: MTs are paid by line.) Thanks for any answers you can provide.

Pay [2008-10-31]
There are fairly accurate salary surveys on www.aamt.org, www.aapc.com, and www.advanceforhim.com. You can see the exact salary VA coders make. Their grades are typically GS-6 (entry level), 7, and 8 for straight coding positions. If you enter as a 6, you should be an 8 in three years. A lead coder would be a 9 and compliance or supervisory positions would be a 9 or 11. You can see the salary range on the federal salary spreadsheets. Be sure to look at the one for the geographic area you're interested in, since those include the locality differential. ttp://www.opm.gov/oca/08tables/indexGS.asp

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.

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.

She's right, and I know because I'm [2008-10-04]
There are no requirements for any AHIMA coding credentials. In fact there are no accredited coding programs--AHIMA only approves them. Attending one is still not required. The above information is correct. I have both AHIMA and AAPC coding credentials, as well as an RHIA. The RHIT requires a 2-year degree from an HIM program accredited by AHIMA. The RHIA requires a 4-year degree from an HIM program accredited by AHIMA. A coder who wants to sit for the RHIT or RHIA exam has to take the HIM program, but may be able to test out of a number of courses, depending on the college. This confusion runs rampant in HIM departments. It's difficult to keep straight. There is a full explanation on the AHIMA website at www.ahima.org. The AAPC credential requirements are explained on www.aapc.com.

ICD-10 is not being taught now [2008-09-26]
The U.S. is still using ICD-9 and implementation of ICD-10 is constantly being pushed back and back (thank goodness!). You will need thorough knowledge of anatomy and physiology and also need to really know and understand disease processes. Of course, the ICD and CPT classes and reimbursement systems, for POA, DRG, APCs and chargemaster. ICD-10 will be much more in depth so the knowledge of A&P and disease process will be even more important. You will also need some pharmacology (need to know what drugs are used for what diseases/conditions) but also need to how those drugs work, their method of action. Biggest deficit we see in our new coders is understanding of disease processes and the pharmacology. Since one of the guidelines in coding is not to code symptoms that are integral to the disease, this is really important to understand. Also, in the coding classes you want to get to really know and understand the Official Coding Guidelines. We have schools in our area that actually don't teach them. I can't figure out how that works because you can't be a coder without knowing them!

Any idea...... [2008-08-27]
if I can make the transition from MT to coder without any coder training? Thanks!!

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.

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.

I have been doing just that [2008-08-17]
Thanks for the reply, but I have been applying for anything and everything under the sun more than 5 applications every day of every week!!! The big problem is they want 2+ years of experience I don't have that and no one is giving me a chance cause I don't have the experienc they choose someone who has the experience over me!! Thanks for responding though appreciate it much! Biller/coder with 1.5 months of experience from SD

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

Cause of Death [2008-07-29]
I am not a coder, but found this site that may help you. www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?IA=US2003035946DISPLAY=DESC - 613k

MT to coder [2008-07-06]
I have already posted this message on themain board, but I It ispretty much the same question as themessage below me, butI would REALLY appreciate any advice that I can get from anyone who is either looking into coding or is already in the business.I am currently a Transcriptionist at a hospital and I am really interested in getting into the coding business. I was just wondering if there are any of you out there who have made this transition and if you have any tips or warnings for me. Any advice is appreciated.

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.

Not sure if its true, but.. [2008-06-17]
I was told by an advisor from a local school that one cannot even sit for an RHIT credential until you have at least a year in-house experience as a coder. I was enrolled to get my associate degree as a coder, but decided not to because I, too, was scared off from coding because I didn't want to have to spend a lot of money in student loans only to be told that I have to have more experience than what I learned in school.

What's the top coding schools? [2008-05-21]
I I was wondering which online schools were reputable.

Link fr charts showing nat'l coder pay stats [2008-05-10]
So sorry, when I posted my link did not follow! Her is the link for the coder pay stats as well as to the American Health Information Management Assoc. http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Medical_Records_Coder/Hourly_Rate http://www.ahima.org/

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

Re: Coding from home [2008-04-24]
Yes, you can, but not without first having experience, most often 2-3yrs PLUS having your national certification. One site I used to use in job hunting for remote coding was through Indeed.com - you can create a search alert and in keywords - or with any other job search engine, enter CODER REMOTE.

I think you should go with the online course at AHIMA [2008-03-31]
AHIMA (http://www.ahima.org)is the accrediting agency for medical coding courses, i.e., if your course is not approved by AHIMA, your certificate is probably not worth the paper it is printed on. That doesn't mean that you won't be qualified or won't get work as a coder, but you may as well go with the AHIMA course if you haven't already started with Career Step. (I didn't see Career Step on the approved list.) You can also get certified online with the AHIMA course after you finish the course. As with any coding course, completion of the course does not mean you are certified. You have to take a test for that.

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.