answer...kinda

answer...kinda [2008-05-14]
Well, I am taking a course called Medical Information Tech. It has all the standard office stuff. Like word, excel, access, powerpoint, publisher and standard account. We also have medical coding, terminology, billing and transcription. It is a basic transcription class.

Whoever gets an answer from someone about coding..(sm) [2008-05-07]
please let me know too. I am ready to leave MTing after 18 years.IIA tech school I checked into in my hometown said I would have to take the full course despite being an MT for 18 years and it would cost $4000. So if you find out any info on a good online accredited school, please let me know.I am desperate to get out of MTing.

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

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

For those wanting to kow about Coding [2008-05-10]
TO answer the burning question upfront, Ihascharts showing averages for coders based on city, state, etc... but II am in northern IL and the average arond here isaround $16/hr starting, and once you have at least 2yrs exp. you can expect a nice increase in that number as well as offers to do coding from home. I have been working in a multi-specialty clinic for a year now as a receptionist, were among other duties, I also code. I let it be know whenI began there that I was in school for coding and did not plan to stay forever unless they could incorporate me into exclusively a coding position (within resonable time.) Happily, I am now transitioning to that very position as soon as a replacement is found for me at thefront desk. I have always told othersa good way to get into coding is to find at least a part-time jobin a clinic or medical records dept somewhere, while in coding classes; let your future intentions be known, ask if you can help with any coding along the way (in some clinics it is the receptionists doing all the coding because of shortness of coders). Secondly, if you go to Ahima.org you can get a national list of approved coding programs according to type of certificate/degree level, online vs on-site,etc... If anyone has more questions feel free to email me as I don't come here too often.

That's a good question. Try the coding board [2008-02-01]
at MTChat. You may get an answer there on the Andrews School board, and I think there is another. The instructors sometimes give great answers.

CareerStep [2007-12-26]
I graduated from Career Step last May and took the CPC test and passed on the first try. I am retiring from my current job in June and will be seeking a coding position. I work from home as an MT and went into coding hoping to make more $. From what I can tell, it is difficult getting your foot in the door with the coding. I am planning on doing an internship with our local hospital next summer in hopes that it may lead to something. If not, I will at least have some experience. I also am signing up with temp agencies. I was told by one local one, that they get requests for coders almost every day. I do believe that working in a hospital setting my increase your chances of getting into coding because they will know you and that he half the battle. I found the CS program very good and user friendly. Their on line teacher is great. Any question I had, he answered very quickly via email. It took me about 8 months to complete the course. If you have any specific questions that I can answer, please email me. yogagirl.

meditech vs career step [2007-11-13]
I have taken the Career Step course and was not very impressed with it. Took the course through a vocational school with no real instructor to answer questions. Career Step does offer class online....but would seriously look at closely before enrolling.

coding course [2007-10-09]
Hello, I too graduated from M-Tec and have been doing MT part time for going on three years. Last winter I enrolled in the Career Step on line coding course. It was very thorough, tough, and challenging. I like the fact that it was all online meaning you could work on it from any computer. I passed their test the end of May and sat for the CPC certification test on August 4 and passed. Whether a course is good or bad, in my humble opinion, is not the question. The question is will this or that school give me what I need to pass the certification test? Because in coding, certification is the name of the game. I plan on retiring from my current job next June and transition into coding. In the meantime, I am keeping on on my reading, CEU credits, and attending chapter meetings. I felt the Career Step course did meet my expectations. Career Step is taking taking steps now to become accreditied, but I agree that the school is not the important thing--it is do you have the experience and certification? Coding is much more difficult to break into compared with MT. One often times has to take a related job and then move into coding or do an unpaid externship to get the experiece piece. Happy to answer any and all further questions. Yogagirl

Here's what I know.. [2007-09-20]
I have been doing medical insurance billing for doctor offices for over 10 years. I also do transcription. In the scope of my duties as a biller, I have to code diagnoses etc..So, I do have to have that experience and it goes hand in hand and at one job I had a monthly salary and at another I was paid hourly. You can go specifically into coding and become certified. I could also do it this within my billing but it wouldn Usually, certified coders are hired for hospitals and you would purely be coding so billing and do their thing. These kinds of coders are very detailed as you might have to code diagnoes of someone who is a critical patient with multiple diagnoses etc..so that is why hospitals hire certified coders. They may have other credentials that you get for further education in this area but I am not sure. So, it is all if you want to go small-time i.e. in a doctor's office versus going in a hospital and strictly into coding. I hope I helped a little. Please feel free to ask anymore questions and I'll do my best to answer.

Medical Coding course for sale - $325.00 off/Never used [2007-07-28]
Hello everyone, I am selling my CareerStep Medical Coding course for $325.00 off the original price. It is the Online Gold edition. Sales for $1825.00 and I'm selling it for $1500.00. All textbooks are included and are NEW. The box that contains the textbooks have never been opened. I took the medical transcription course they offer and I now work 2 jobs so I have no time for this course. CareerStep will handle all transfers. Call them if you wish and speak with Emily. They will answerANYquestions you might have. Just reply to this. Thank you in advance, Christopher

The Andrews website [2007-07-03]
should be able to answer your questions.

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

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