Coding certification

First I would encourage you that if you are serious about coding, do NOT go to a course that does not allow to test for NATIONAL certification.  There are only 2 organizations in the US that do national certification.  AAPC (the first) and AHIMA.  With AAPC there are numerous companies that offer their course.  The cost runs between $1200 and $1600 for a three month course of 8 hour classes plus your proctored exam and membership to AAPC, or you can do the self-study course for the same money (I chose to be in a classroom setting so I could have questions answered on the spot).  You can opt to take the course for hospital coding CPC-H (which few hospitals will recognize as official) or the doctor/outpatient based course - CPC, which is widely recognized.

I don't know the cost of AHIMA's testing but it is as intense as AAPC's but it is mostly taken by people who either already have AAPC certification or are already working in a medical coding setting.  Both organizations offer apprecentice programs if you are not already in a coding setting until you can clock some coding hours.  I think you need references to enter either program as to your character - remember, if you make a mistake the penalty could be monetory and/or a jail term.

Now, can you get a job and is the money worth it.  Most hospitals want AHIMA's inpatient certification and 1-2 years OTJ experience, unless they are hiring for their outpatient clinics and/or ER (which they will then accept the AAPC's CPC).  Most of these positions pay between $15 and $24/hr plus bennies.

It is very hard to get into the coding industry.  It's just like trying to get into MT without any experience, only harder.  I would network, join both organizations as a member and go religiously to the monthly meetings to network and learn.  Both certifications require a high number of CEU's to be earned each year.  It is easier to get into a physician's office setting as a CPC.  Most of these jobs pay $9 to $18/hr depending on geography, but again you'd have to be very, very good and have good references from certified mentors to help you get a job with no experience.

Most jobs are obtained by word of mouth.  If you are very good, you could skip working in a hospital or doctor's office and become a consultant and/or instructor without any working experience (more $$ for the instructor's certification).  It would be like working as an IC.  You would have to hustle to get clients and build a reputation.  I was lucky and got a job with a hospital in their outpatient clinic side at $19/hr with hospital bennies and had an offer with the people whose course I took to become an instructor and consultant for them even before I got the results from my test score (but I had prior coding experience).  My job was basically consulting, doing audits and giving feedback and education to doctors on how to maximize their reimbursement, how to document charts properly and be available for their coding questions.  I loved the respect I got from the doctors.  It was totally unlike what I get directly from doctors as an MT.  They are eager to learn, listen to what is being taught, are interactive, friendly and recognize that you are there to help them succeed.

If your MTSO is also adding a coding department to their company, that would be an easier way to get into coding as it could be done from home with access to electronic medical records.  There are a number of tools available to coders that help to electronically code and flag potential errors, hopefully your company would pay for all that because it can be quite expensive.

I tried to portray a clear and realistic picture with discouraging you.  It's a lot like going into MT without someone being realistic with you, so the fact that you asked is a good sign.

good luck,

d~

• medical coding - looking for work
  • Coding certification - diddles
    • wow. Sounds like you been there, done that. Thanks for - sharing your experience about this. Major thanks!
    • Not the OP, but I appreciate your info. I'm looking - into this, too.Is coding outsourcing a threat? nm
      • I don't see how this could be offshored at this point - diddles
    • oops, WITHOUT discouraging you, long day! nm - diddles
      • thank you - looking for work

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If the trend continues to let all transcription go to India, what is left for us?  Is anyone paying more than 3-4 a line for reviewing voice recognition work?  Is coding on the way to India too or is this still an option for us who live in the U.S.? I am wondering if it is worthwhile to start taking coding classes now before I lose my job to India.  Can we even do coding from home?

I was an inpatient coder for a year and I made more transcribing.  I worked for a large chain (that ended up in trouble with the feds) and we were constantly told to find better DRGs so they would get paid more....dig 'em up even if that wasn't the reason for admission.  I enjoyed my job otherwise, I did become nearsighted after a year probably because of reading the physician writing.

Even if you go to school and get certified now, the companies say they need 2 years.

I have 16 years experience as an MT, but I am just tired of it.  I have completed a medical billing course and I am now working on  a coding course.  I am really enjoying the coding and it seems to come easy to me, which is a miracle :)  So, if anyone has switched, I would love your input.  Thanks!

Watch out for this company.  They have a horrible platform they use and are extremely rude in QA (main gal running the company).  Please beware, as life is too short to live like this.