You may have her start here..

You may have her start here.. [2007-12-01]
She can go onto the AAPC website and look up her local chapter and perhaps they could point her in the right direction as to who offers coding classes etc. http://www.aapc.com/localchapters/index.aspx

Where do you start to find billing [2006-07-19]
companies that offer jobs at home?? Have worked in offices for years, want to go home. Any good web sites? I cannot find much.

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.

How long ago was your experience? [2008-10-20]
The answer depends on (1) how long ago you stopped coding, (2) what you coded before and for whom, and (3)what you'll be testing for and for whom. Briefly, if you stopped coding 14 years ago and you'll be testing in the same type of coding, you'll need to catch up on 14 years of coding changes. It's a lot, too. If you're changing types of coding, say from inpatient to outpatient, you'll just about need to start at the beginning with outpatient. If it's ASUs, you'll need to really review, because the CPT code set has exploded in the last 14 years. The type of employer and exactly what you'll do for them will affect this, as well. Did they tell you what would be on the test?

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.

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!!

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.

You need training! [2008-08-27]
No, you need training. Coding isn't really any more difficult, but it is a different set of skills. MTs make great coders, though! Familiarity with reports and their contents, gives them a biiiig head start.

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.

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.

I made this transition [2008-07-10]
I moved to a coding position after our hospital outsourced its transcription. I was able to start out with clinic coding, which was very basic based on my previous experience with anatomy and physiology and medical terminology. I have chosen to take the Coding Basics program offered by AHIMA through their distance education program. I enjoy coding, but I do miss typing occasionally!

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.

In office MT [2008-05-14]
I cannot speak for everybody, but I do work in an office as the only Transcriptionist and do not have an area off by myself (wish I did), and yes, there are overhead pages, phones ringing, people talking, people running faxes, printers, and just general chaos most of the time. It is difficult to concentrate on what you are doing. Oh, almost forgot - most people in the office just come to my desk and start talking or asking questions while I have my headphones on.This

In office MT [2008-05-14]
I cannot speak for everybody, but I do work in an office as the only Transcriptionist and do not have an area off by myself (wish I did), and yes, there are overhead pages, phones ringing, people talking, people running faxes, printers, and just general chaos most of the time. It is difficult to concentrate on what you are doing. Oh, almost forgot - most people in the office just come to my desk and start talking or asking questions while I have my headphones on.This has

In office MT [2008-05-14]
I cannot speak for everybody, but I do work in an office as the only Transcriptionist and do not have an area off by myself (wish I did), and yes, there are overhead pages, phones ringing, people talking, people running faxes, printers, and just general chaos most of the time. It is difficult to concentrate on what you are doing. Oh, almost forgot - most people in the office just come to my desk and start talking or asking questions while I have my headphones on.This has been my experience with working in a medical office.

Question for billers and coders..(sm) [2008-04-28]
I know next to nothing about billing and coding. First of all, which is better to pursue, billing or coding, or both? Is one better than the other? ls there any waybilling and coding will go the way of MTing and be outsourced, or is it starting to already? Sorry, but like I said, I know practically nothing about it and after 18 years I am ready to get out of MTing. IMT companies who have plentyof work where I can actually start making good money again.I am seriously thinking of switching to billing or coding. Any input into this will be much appreciated. TIA.

coding at home [2008-03-04]
Can you do coding from home? I'm new to it and wonder where to start looking????

Medical transcription & coding? [2007-12-20]
I have been doing medical transcription for 8 years and am not making as much money as I would like. I was thinking about taking a coding course with Career Step. I am wondering if that would really help me make more money or help me to become more of an asset to start working in a hospital instead of at home. I am especially worried that the money I will put out to take this course will not be worth it in the long run. Does anybody do both or work in a hospital doing this? Thank you for any advice!!

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!

CPC-P Exam [2007-11-29]
Congratulations! Can I ask you what all was on the exam, types of questions? I'm graduating next Spring with an AS degree in HIT and I will be taking my RHIT exam. I've been wondering if I should take a coding exam as well to start, like CCA. What's your professional opinion? Is this a good time to get into billing? I've been an MT for almost 10 years now. Thanks!

Thanks [2007-10-19]
Thanks so much for your input. It is sooooo hard to get information on this subject. I have been doing so much research, and I think it now time to start focusing my energy into actually starting a program!! I am leaning towards the Andrews heavily. Have a great day all!!

coding and billing [2007-09-20]
Hello, I am also an MT and just finished a coding course and passed the certification test in August. From what I have been reading, most hospitals only hire people with experience. I am hoping to start out in coding in a clinical setting. My goal has always been to be able to code from home but realize that I have to gain experience. I am also learning that it can be tough getting your foot in the door with coding and many people start out by taking any position just to get in and then move into coding from there. I am told that experienced coding can make a very good living. Hope that helps a little.

Good Question [2007-04-18]
Hi confused: I am currently a medical Transcriptionist and am looking to get into coding as well. I am getting ready to start an Associate degree program with North Dakota State College of Science Health Information Technician class in June. I choose this school because I can take it online and it was recommended by the AHIMA. I spent the last few months researching and finally narrowed it down to either DeVry or there. I had just finished some classes with University of Phoenix and decided I would rather go with NDSCS. Anyway, I wish you luck! Paulette

Coding [2007-02-05]
Does DeVry offer tutition payments or must you pay up front fully? I am doing a search on schools. I also ordered Step-By-Step Workbook to start with. Thanks for any information.

$44K/year plus commisions [2006-09-14]
I have been coding and billing for 8 years and I currently make $44,000 salary plus commissions and all benefits. And this is a new job that I have only been at for 6 months. I am not certified but I have the experience that alot of MD's are looking for. But I work downtown Chicago on the Magneficent Mile and commute 1 and 1/2 hours each way. The field can defiently provide a good income if you get the experience that alot of people look for. I too have been wanting to start my own business at home but it takes alot of start up income and marketing to get your clients. And there doesnt seem to be any legit companies out there that hire coders and billers to work at home. If anybody knows of any or are in the Chicago area and are looking to do a start up, please let me know.