Andrews has a coding program, & its reputation is as good as their MT course.
Posted By: nm on 2006-03-11
In Reply to: Coding sm - 27 year MT
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- Coding sm - 27 year MT
- Andrews has a coding program, & its reputation is as good as their MT course. - nm
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By reputation, in order: 1. Andrews 2. M-TEC
Those are the big 3, and I've read enough posts on enough boards over the years to say that I think there really is a very strong general consensus on the order I've put them in. Andrews and M-Tec are actually probably fairly close together in terms of reputation, with Career Step following close behind those 2.
Sounds like it would be more a matter of balancing the costs, time, etc., versus what is offered by each, but if possible, I would think going with Andrews would not only result in better career opportunities, but also just a lot less frustration in the future with difficult dictators, etc., because of the better overall training and foundation they give.
Best coding course is Andrews (sm),
same as for MT. AHIMA offers an online course, but Linda at Andrews says be careful because it's time limited; if you don't finish a section in time, you have to pay again. I would go with Andrews because then I'd know I'd get work right after completion. My husband is also studying coding; he's retraining from MT. He's combining it w/a degree in accounting. I only know of 2 online coding companies listed on the forum pedal to the metal (you'll have to Google it) and Amphion, a huge MT/coding company. Many companies right now are hiring coders to fly to the comapny and either audit or do the backlog. Check with "Redpen" (Peggy LaChance) at Andrews School for the best info as she is a working coder and instructor. Good luck.
Has anyone tried Andrews for coding?
I am curious to know since Andrews seems to be reputable for an MT course, if this is the same feeling for the coding course. I would eventually like to move into this profession when my youngest (she's 8) gets just a little older. I have 20 years in the MT field, but I'd like to move into coding on-site within the next four years or so. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! 
I am completing a medical coding course with Andrews right now (sm)
and I highly recommend them. The tuition is steep, but they allow you to pay in monthly installments, so that makes it a lot easier. The quality of the course is excellent, and I really think I'll be able to pass the certification exams once I finish the course. The only complaint I have is that they are slow in responding to emails about tests, questions, etc., but other than that, I would recommend them. Good luck.
It will count everything if you go in the settings and program it to. Good program!
Sylcount is an awesome and accurate counting program also. That will count everything if you "tell it to".
Future of medical coding is good
Medical coding is very lucrative career. Medical coders are not only required in hospitals but also in pharma industry and clinical research. Know more about coding ..
http://medicalcodingindia.blogspot.com/
Not-so-good news re: medical coding,
I was watching the news tonight (Sacramento, CA area), and there was a story about a lady who was looking for work. She had spent $10,000 on a coding/billing education, but can't find work. Apparently that field is "saturated", as the newscaster said. (Maybe from lots of MTs trying to get into that?) Anway, I had sort of been thinking about going to school to learn coding, but now I think I'll pass.
I should have specified, hospital inpatient coding and doc office coding are very different.
They follow different coding rules and an entirely different set of codes. I learned both while earning my B.S. in H.I.M., and both are challenging, though inpatient more so simply because there are more codes.
Honestly, you could get a job in a med rec dept without ANY certificate; some computer experience and your experience as an MT would get you in the door. It might just be doing chart assembly/completion, filing, etc., but there are certainly jobs in MR that don't require specific schooling. Then being in the dept you can really learn more about all the functions and pick the one you REALLY want to spend time, money, and effort on for additional schooling.
Reputation
This board has a reputation for rudeness and nastiness among other boards. I have seen some reference to it on MTDaily and MTChat. Obviously it is more than one person's opinion.
You have already established a reputation for yourself as someone who is
nm
Get yourself a good tax program. sm
I use Turbo Tax Home and Business. Helps with all the deducts and also helps you with quarterly taxes the next year. I've been using it for about 6 years and love it.
I disagree with your assessment. The reputation of MQ
CEOs and managers is only poor because of their ethics from the get go. Maybe you aren't aware of their past reputation. Many of us knew it would finally catch up with them in the form of lawsuits. It's taken a decade, but now it's here.
I have heard they have a horrible reputation
and that they do offshore to India. I believe you may be able to find some posts or threads, check on MTNews as well, as to whether or not they offshore.
They do have a large turnover in transcriptionists, and that is not a good thing.
It's a really good program. I use Shorthand with it.
Instant Text also works
good Spyware program
Ewido: http://www.ewido.net/en/
My husband learned about this from one of his college professors. We both tried it and discovered that it found stuff on our systems that other Spyware programs such as Spy Sweeper and Spy Blaster missed.
WW is a good sound program (sm)
that nearly anyone can follow because it involves "real food" and no restrictions. I don't know about you, but when I'm told I can only eat this or that and not to eat this or that, that's when I start to fail at a "diet."
I see someone else suggested Atkins, and from what I've seen of a lot of people on that, usually it's not a lifestyle choice. They lose weight but if they change their eating habits, pounds come back with a few friends. South Beach, from what I understand, is also along the way of Atkins but they do promote good carbs, I'm guessing whole wheat/grains as opposed to simple sugar grains.
If you are currently not overdoing it on calories and following a fairly healthy diet, I would suggest upping the amount of time you walk, plus making sure you are getting in plenty of water. I walk 5 miles per day, takes 60 minutes, and in my weight loss phase, I lost on average 2 pounds per week. Sometimes 2-1/2, but averaged per month about 8-10 pounds. Do you have an extra 30 minutes to add to your walking regimen? Also, I did light toning, which also helps burn more calories, even at rest.
I don't know what your budget is like, but you could probably drop that extra 20 simply by walking more.
If it's using Escription, I would go for it. Very good program. nm
xx
good encryption program
MEP-- see http://www.deturi.com/oldsite/mep.html.
Also WinZip (the purchased version) has encryption.
Why are we protecting OSI's reputation from truth admin?
x
Need help finding a good expander program
I work on DocQscribe and I use Instant Text. Does anybody out there work on a different shorthand program that is compatible with DocQscribe? Instant Text is okay but I am wondering if there is another program I would like more.
new at this... how do I choose a good expander program?
Which is best Expander program? anyway to get a free trial to check out how these things work?
I don't mind paying for a good program. ;) nm
nm
can you suggest a good software program
to compare with the line counts being given by the hospital? I am also in the same boat, but I can access my line count. I would like an independent way of counting my lines, because you never know, right? What a world.
yes AdAware is good, so is that cleaner program
but just to be wary about others that offer free antivirus and then latch onto your system so you will buy it...
:)
They have a reputation as being a second-rate phony college for losers!
No employer takes U. of Phoenix seriously. It's like a GED diploma.
It's better to go to a real school that's well-known and has a reputation as a traditional on-campus school as well, like University of Massachusetts, Temple University or University of Wisconsin, all of which offer on-line distance programs and degrees that are bound to impress potential employers!
Does anyone know of a good, but cheap spell check program? sm
Just did an upgrade to XP and have lost my "free" Spellex that I got with my schooling on my old computer. I have a new job but cant afford to buy the Spellex program yet. Any good ones that do both medical and drug names that is CHEAP? I plan to buy the spellex again when I get a few paychecks, but for now I need something. It is getting really tiring looking up so many drug names! 
RE: Anyone know of a good site to download a program for doing a budget?? nm
\
While AAMT does have a good QA program, they severely lack in other areas.
p
Has anyone had good success with Weight Watchers flex point program? sm
I tried South Beach for about 10 days and have lost 10 lbs but I want something that is lifelong and to me SB is too strict....Thinking about switching over to Weight Watchers...Anyone have good long term success with it? If so, how much did you lose and how fast?
Line counting software - Need a good program. Have used MPCount in the past, but now
cannot download the old one, as it has been replaced by some new version, which I don't like. Can anyone recommende a good line counting program. Thanks.
Good point. Welfare abusers, govt program misuse gets PR,
p
I've thought about coding. My DH does medical coding and I think with an MT's medical termino
background and anatomy and physiology knowledge, a transition into coding wouldn't be hard at all. From what I can tell by looking through my husband's books, an MT would have to learn insurance regulations and legalities. We've basically got all the medical background down or we should be if we're worth our salt as an MT.
I even contacted AHIMA and found that the qualifications for taking the CCS or CCP coding exams are completion of the a coding program, RHIT program, or RHIA or related work experience. Transcription is part of HIM, albeit the red-headed stepchild of the HIM department, but a part nonetheless and so satisfies the qualification of having work experience.
The test is tough though. My husband didn't pass it his first time out and I think I read something like only 20% or so pass it the first time. So it would probably be best to take some sort of formal coding class, in my opinion.
Anyone know if coding would pay as well as MT? Is coding being outsourced too?
xx
Andrews or M-TEC
Andrews and M-TEC. Do a search on either one of them and you will find they are the best of the best in MT training.
#1 is M-TEC, #2 Andrews, and #3 is...
Career Step, although I don't believe it is even CLOSE to as comprehensive as the M-Tec and Andrews. If you want to really be prepared to work after graduating, you will chose wisely. 
Andrews
x
Andrews. Never seen anyone not get a job
But I have seen several CS grads still looking for work months later. You get what you pay for, remember. Cheaper isn't always better. If you can't get a job after graduating, then you've lost far more money in the long run on the "cheaper" school. In fact, on another well-known MT site, there is a CS grad looking for work and the spelling/grammar is atrocious for someone who just "graduated." This person shouldn't have been allowed to graduate without honing those skills. Not saying that to be mean, just saying it's the school's job to see that graduates are work-ready and this person clearly was/is not.
JMHO, as an MT of 20+ years and an MTSO, and not to say that CS grads are bad because there are many excellent MTs who went to CS. I just question any school that allows anyone to "graduate" when they still spell common everyday words incorrectly. My two cents, FWIW.
Yes, Andrews or sm
The other one I cannot think of, check the boards at MTchat. Andrews has there own board and the other school, M-Tec or something like that. People rave about those two schools over there. Having it on a "list" is not necessarily indicative of a good school. I think you can even talk to some grads, or see their postings.
M-TEC or Andrews
I hope the original poster does her research. I graduated from M-Tec and got a job right away. Recently someone who learned on the job and had been working in an office for 5 years didn't last a week on my easier account. The point is, there are times when you can learn on the job. These days, that is not the norm. The best advice (in my opinion) is one of the 2 schools mentioned above. You just don't know if the people teaching you on the job are teaching you the right way or not.
I don't know why someone would say those graduates "suck eggs." It is proven time and again those graduates get the jobs because they simply learn more through these schools. Maybe the graduates did not go through the top tier program.
There is mega proof on side of these graduates being top notch (although I suppose there are always exceptions) so for anyone to say the opposite-- well my opinion is that is, again, not the norm. Makes you wonder what the motivation is.
If you take someone who takes a few anatomy lessons and put them on the job for a year and compare them to a recent graduate of Andrews or M-TEC's top tier program, the Andrews/M-TEC graduates, even with no job experience, will come out top by far. They simply cover THAT MUCH. That's why they are hired. Thanks for letting me have my say!
M Tec or Andrews?!
Can anyone tell me pros and cons of both of these schools? I live in Canada and am trying to decide which one to go with.
Thanks in advance!
Katie
Invoices. Does anyone have a good invoice software program they use other than MPCount invoice?
I am looking for something professional and easy to use. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
MTEC or Andrews
These 2 schools produce grads who are ready to work and get good jobs. They don't promise you a job, but upon graduation you have access to a list of companies that hire grads from these schools. I personally attended MTEC. They have a placement rate in the mid 90% range for their grads. I had no problem getting a job. In fact, every company I tested with offered me a job. I absolutely have no regrets about my choice to go with MTEC. You can't go wrong with Andrews either.
MTEC or Andrews
MTEC or Andrews would both be excellent choices. They are both well respected, and their graduates get a thorough education enabling them to get jobs.
Andrews turns out the best MTs!
They are "client ready" and have great success.
SALLIEMAE AND ANDREWS?
Does Andrews Accept Salliemae?
Can't answer about Andrews but..
as the hiring manager for a small company, I have hired 4 Career Step people and all have done a wonderful job.
...or be a grad of M-TEC or Andrews.
nm
I agree. Andrews or M-Tec. nm
x
MTec or Andrews?
I've been researching and it seems to always come down to these two. Which would you recommend? I'm having a really hard time deciding which one would be best. Are there any differences between the two? TIA
I have never found a program shorthand does not work with, it works outside the program (I think tha
nm
Tha;nk you hard choice.. Andrews I think...
I am not stupid actually I'm pretty smart but there is so much to learn and I need the correct support... I am investigating loans and I emailed Linda at Andrews for more information
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