Coding vs Transcription
Posted By: Redpen on 2005-10-28
In Reply to: Medical Coding or Transcription - Nae
There is salary information available at the AAPC website, www.aapc.com. The link to the 2004 survey is http://www.aapc.com/recognition/salary_survey.html .
Coders tend to make a bit more and have more room for advancement into consulting, training, and compliance positions. The work requires somewhat more in terms of medical and technical knowledge, the ability to deal rapidly and effectively with constant change and uncertainty, the highest attention to detail, an absolute intolerance for error. Coding, like transcription, requires very high literacy and deductive skills--you have to enjoy reading constantly and solving frustrating puzzles.
Coding is not as amenable to working at home, although rapid progress is being made in this arena.
You can't go wrong with MT. Most of your training for that, and your on-the-job experience, will give you a huge head start in coding. Much of the background material is the same--coding just adds to it somewhat. If you choose your school right, you'll get an MT job right away, working at home, and you can then think about broadening your skills into coding. At that point, a few years from now, there will be more remote coding opportunities for you to move into.
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Coding and Transcription
 Thank you so much for the information I have a little background in coding but it seems as though Medical Transcription is in more of a demand right now as far as a work at home job. The cost of tuition with either Andrews or Career Step is a bit expensive for me and I want to make sure that I make the right choice in terms of being able to find a wahj after certification.
Medical Coding or Transcription
I will be applying for online training soon and have noticed that the price of tuition for medical coding and medical transcription are not too far apart. I always thought that there was more opportunity and a higher income for medical transcription. Can anyone with experience in coding tell me how the average salary is for coding? Thank you in advance for any answers on this.
I do both coding and MT work. I'd definitely say to go with coding/insurance billing
The way the medical transcription profession is going, you'll best be served by doing insurance billing with a coding certificate than doing transcription. There will always be a need for billers and coders. JMO.. and I make more money billing with the way our cpl are going down.
Coding has much more of a future than MT right now. Coding can't be sent out to India and
it requires an active thought process to do it, so it's not likely to be replaced by software. Yet. I bet there's a lot of MT's right now that wish they would have chosen coding...
Medical Transcription/Medical Coding
Hi,
I am a MT and can't find a job or pass employment test. So, I have to take one of the AAMT approved schools this time around and was thinking about Medical Coding but, not sure of this. Does anyone know if Medical Coding is harder than Medical Transcription to pass or is the stress more intense? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks a bunch!
Barb
coding
I don't know about coding programs, but I took coding in college and found it a lot harder than transcription.
I don't think M-TEC has a coding
program; however, their transcription program is excellent. I don't know very much about coding, but I chose MT because I did not want to deal with something so directly related to money since docs and hospitals get paid based on how something is coded. However, I think some might enjoy that. Personally, I like the feeling that I am doing something to help a patient without getting caught up in the money end of it. From all that I have read, it is easier to start out working from home in medical transcription than in coding.
Coding vs MT
If you check the salary surveys available on other websites -- sorry, I can't tell you what they are because the moderators delete my posts when I do that! -- you'll see that coding can pay more than transcription.
My thinking is that MTs tend to burn out faster than coders. Coding is less physically strenuous than MT. Coding jobs tend to allow for advancement into different types of work, which helps relieve any boredom that might occur. MT jobs tend to be of one type.
If you want to give MT a go, you certainly can. Right now, it's easier to find work from home in MT than in coding, at least for someone with no experience. If you do that, you can consider a few years working in MT to be a time spent gaining very useful knowledge for coding later on. The knowledge MTs have about reports, medical records, procedures, office visits, and the way medical care "works" is invaluable. MTs learn coding very quickly, much faster than someone without MT background, even people with other types of experience in health care.
billing and coding
Billing and Coding is totally different. As you know coding is putting terminology into numbers, nothing like putting a H & P on paper or an OP note into words. I coded for 2 years for family practice and it is not cut out to what people think it is.
Not many coding jobs
nm
She said she had both coding and MT training
She initially said she had both coding and MT training.
First, she said, she had coding and a CPC certification, but could not get a job, so she let the certification lapse. She apparently quit looking for a job.
Then, she said, she went through an MT training program and now can't get a job.
People get jobs every day with those exact qualifications. That's no guarantee that a particular person will get a job, but it's also no indication that NO person will get a job.
Coding/Billing is TOTALLY different
from MT work. You are not trained or qualified to do MT work.
Coding is most certainly being outsourced offshore. Who
told you that coding isn't being sent out of the country?
Also, coding education/certification will not get SM
you a transcription job at all.
What? Coding most certainly can and IS sent out of the country! You're confusing
You're funny!
Is your coding work done from home? I have heard it was very difficult sm
to get coding work at home, you have to go to work for a company somewhere. Has this changed? I know coders are always needed, but we don't have any openings locally for at-home coding. TIA.
Med. Transcription
I went to MT school through At-Home Professions. I am 20 years old but I guess I was really looking for something that would allow me to have a family when I am ready without having to change professions when that time comes. I started working six weeks after completing MT schooling. I work at home as well.
-Sabrina
CAI Transcription
I would not recommend CAI to anyone. My mother has been a Transcriptionist for 17 years and was absolutely blown away by the inaccuracy of their program. I did try to get into Carrer Step and never received a call back from them. I have heard a lot of good things about Andrews, but it is quite expensive. I just want anyone considering going into this field, before you spend the money, that it is not easy to find a job. When you do find a job, you do not make much for quite awhile. Best of luck in your search for the right school.
transcription
Wow, I had no idea that it would be so intense but this is what I want to do so I'm going to give it a try. Thank you very much for the information
Transcription
I read most of the postings. I am currently in a community college for medical transcription. Will I be able to find a job after graduation? I know I'll have to start at the bottom of the ladder, that's fine. Is my hard work and expectations in vain?
transcription
I had 2 transcription classes along with my other classes.
DIT Transcription
Does anyone know anything about DIT Transcription?
DIT TRANSCRIPTION
Just curious to see if any knows anything about or works for DIT Transcription out of South Carolina. Any information appreciated. Thanks.
DIT Transcription
I am the owner of DIT and can assure you that we are a legitimate company located in upstate South Carolina with transcriptionists from all over the US working from home. We are a Christian based company and operate as one, both with our transcriptionists and our clinics. If anyone has any specific questions about DIT, please feel free to contact me at ddana@dittranscription.com and I'll be more than happy to answer any questions.
To address the fact that the website has not been updated, due to the fact that we have grown to over 750 doctors and have used the money to get new clinics up and running and not updating the website.
Donna, Owner, DIT Transcription
Also maybe try USA Transcription
I hear they hire newbies and there were some ads on the boards recently. It also took me a few months to find my first job (on this site) three years ago and the pay was really low...6 cpl, but it was worth it because after training I went up to 7 cpl and after that I went up to 10 cpl....so hang in there!! Good luck!
(My first job was not with USA Transcription....just saw ads recently and thought it a possibility for you.)
Try DIT Transcription
I am currently in training with them, cpl rate is a liitle low but IC work is tough to find right now.
Are you looking for someone to do your transcription?
nm
DIT transcription
I've been thinking of applying to this company as I have heard a few good things about it. Does anyone know the platforms, pay rate, employee or IC status, if they direct deposit and pay every two weeks? Thanks in advance for any info.
I would not try PJ Transcription
The woman who runs this company is extraordinary unorganized and sometimes rather nasty in her emails, which she will bombard you with and perhaps fill up your email box. That is what she did to me. Also, and here is a big also, she does not pay until she gets paid (so she says). You will have no way of knowing whether or not she gets paid or when you will. Bad experience for me. I am just letting you know my experience. However, she was all too happy to hire newbies when I was one.
Not on the list is DIT Transcription. They are a nice group of people, try them too.
transcription
I do clinic work and always have plenty of work and make fairly decent money. I have no complaints.
United Transcription
I was wondering the same thing too. I can't seem to find a website for United Transcription, Inc. I'm beginning to think it's not legit. The whole "no experience needed" things sounds to good to be true and I've never seen any other transcription company say that you could make up to $75,000 per year. I'd be careful with that one. Don't give them any personal info. until you've done a lot of research on them.
hospital transcription
Ok I have looked at hospital MT jobs in AZ and all of them want experience and almost none of them pay well or even list pay in the ad, your best bet is to look on monster.com or try the specific hospital site. for example a big hospital group in AZ is Banner Health, they have their own website and job listings, so try that direction.
k
Sierra Transcription
Bought a program from ebay called Sierra Transcription Training. All I have to say is BUYER BEWARE. I changed to Career Step even though it is longer.
Sierra Transcription
Stay far away!
Entertainment transcription
I am wondering if there are any transcriptionists out there who do entertainment transcription. What are good companies to check out?
Cost of transcription course?
What does $442 get yah? This can't be real is it?
finding a transcription job.
I read what you said about sending a flyer out to speech and language pathologist in your area. I graduated this summer from school and this actually sounds like something I could do. Thank for the idea. Just need to figure out the flyer part.
Getting a transcription position
I've worked for 19 years as a Transcriptionist for a mental health facility and now that I'm close to being able to retire, I'd like to do the transcription from home, but because I'm not certified, can't get a second look. Any suggestions???? Thanks
Terri
Medical transcription is a lot more than just
typing. It depends on your knowledge of the material, how clear the dictation is, your knowledge of the material, how bad the doctor's accent is, your knowledge of the material, the quality of the recording, and, oh yes, your knowledge of the material. It also depends a lot on your knowledge of the material.
Have you tried general transcription?
x
Transcription Service
Have you looked in the yellow pages? I know of one small service but I believe it operates out of Dora or Sumiton. I'm not near a phonebook at the moment, but the number should begin with a 647-, of course I could be wrong...sorry. If I find it, I'll let you know.
Where are you graduating from?
Kids and transcription
I cannot image having small children under foot while doing transcription. When I did transcription, I had to have total concentration. Of course, I only worked for 12 docs in a small hospital, and I was "it" -- the only transcriptionist.
However, I worked for a good hospital, and they allowed me to leave and pick up my two elementary school children and take them to what was then called a "nursery". I then went back to work and made my 8+ hour shift. A wonderful and challenging career!
Radiology Transcription
Hello Everyone:
Anyone out there doing transcription for Radiology? can you give me an overview of what the work is like? Do you think a "newbie" could start in radiology? Any information you offer will be appreciated. Thanks,
I started by doing transcription
for veterinarians! You might try a local specialty veterinary hospital to see if they need any transcription help. You do need to know a little bit about dog and cat breeds, but the body parts are pretty much the same (except for the tail)!
getting a Medical Transcription Job
I have taken a Medical Transcription course through PCDI but every job that I have applied for has wanted experience. How do you get experience if no one will hire you? Has anyone else had this problem? Please help...I'm so frustrated with the whole thing!!!
a medical transcription job
I finished a medical transcription class in June of 2005 and worked for a surgeon for 3 months. I was driving far for little hours. Can anyone tell me of a company that hires transcriptionists with very little experience
well, if you want to do medical transcription, then you want to get a job.
to get a job as a newbie is not as easy as you think. Some of the schools partner with companies who will take their newbies, with some additional specific training. So it increases your chances of getting a job - that is, if you want to work for the companies that partner with the school. Otherwise, you may want to go to the community college if they have a certificate program because at least you will have college credit towards your degree for your next job, when MT tanks.
California Transcription
Has anyone ever worked for California Transcription. I was offered a job and I need some input. Thanks fellow MT's.
Transcription material
Interested in the transcription course material and tapes etc. How much? Where can I e-mail you
Transcription Career
Honestly, read the boards and you will find out, like I did, that once you graduate from a school for MT it is very difficult to find a job. Please don't waste your money and time. If you still must persue this type of job then start at a local hospital or clinic that will train you. I would hate to see one more person pay all this money for training, only to be really disappointed in the end. I'm just being truthful. Please research this and you will find out the same thing.
Proficient Transcription
The other posters are right...do not pay to work! I came in contact personally with Proficient Transcription (got the tip from one of my former classmates) and it's a scam. Shareware is free. Two of my classmates paid for the "shareware" and it turned out it's something you can get for free...hence the term "shareware." Do not do it. It is a scam.
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