I've been thinking a lot about coding

• Article in Advance - jami
  • Mandatory credentialing - Janie
    • CMT (Indian MTs have discount) - cinde
      • No you are not! I'm a single mom and I'm trying to make a house payment, pay utilities.... SM - Tinks
        • Why certify in anything? Isn't that just - paying money for nothing for yourself?
        • I've been thinking a lot about coding - (sm)
        • Happy for you - I always thought about that as well... - cinde
    • The REAL credential was the ART a few years back - real credential
      • I've always wondered what made them do away with the ART? SM - Tinks
    • Don't be under the assumption that credentialing - lynbelbel
    • I develop professionally every single day and I don't have to pay $300... - Tinks
      • I agree. I am not certified. - I don't think forking over money to an
  • I read that article. What a joke! Paid a premium for CMT? Well if you consider 8 cpl plus one cen - Tinks
    • I have the RHIA (more than RHIT) and I don't get any extra! nm - R
  • Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) - K
  • A non CMT who oughta be... - cartwheel
    • no, don't think so - sm
  • CMT never did get anyone much more money. They still want to pay 5-8 cents a line, no matter how mu - not me
    • It did for me. I get 1 cpl more than the top paid MTs - plus I got a $500 bonus for passing and my test pa
      • and didn't you pay over $300 for CMT test? - all evens out.......nm
      • Well - just depends on what the top paid MTs - Indy-MT
  • AHDI is the new name for the AAMT. - More companies do offer CMT bonuses.

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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.

Step by Step Medical Coding by Carol J. Buck along with the workbook that goes along with it.  So while I'm trying to decide on a school, I can be studying on my own.  According to the AHIMA website though with my years of experience as an MT, I am eligible to take the certification exam without having to complete a formal coding course.  Transcription is considered part of the HIM department and thus if you have worked in any position in HIM, you are qualified to take the test.

So, I may find that studying on my own will benefit me better than paying money for a course I'm not sure about.  I also have the benefit of tuition reimbursement with my employer and I may take advantage of that if I find a program I like.

So, I'm with you!  Let me know what school you decide on or what avenue you decide to take.  Might help me make the decision in the long run!

I know you must be really conflicted but I really wouldn't be confrontive towards her (your mileage may vary).  If you get confrontive, you just validate the continuation of the issue and help to keep it going.  It is HER issue to be friends with that person, not yours.  You say your marriage is the strongest that it has ever been.   If that is so, then I hope you can share your feelings of betrayal with your husband.  See, if you confront her, you are going to be pushing for HIM or HER to take sides and maybe he needs your strength to find his feet and be able to pull towards you instead of towards her.  I have always thought that in laws (and own family, actually) should only know a limited amount about your personsal relationship with your spose for this very reason.  They feel they need to fix it and with all her "advice" it sounds like she was maybe trying to fix your faults and blame you for making your husband want to stray.

Take away her power over your relationship.  Work it out with your husband.  It wasn't until I got to the point where I really did not care AT ALL what my MIL thought about me that she started respecting me and treating me better (still didn't stop her from gossiping behind my back!); however, when she tried to give advice, I would cut her off at the knees and refuse to be a part in it.  When she tried to manipulate, I suddenly found things to end the conversation, leave, get off the phone, ask if she needed help with cleaning her bathroom with my nose curled up, whatever it took to send the message I had no interest in giving her any power over me.  Sometimes she wouldn't talk to me for 2 or 3 months at a time, and those were blessed months  

Walk off that anger, clean out the bathrooms and talk WITH your spouse.

There is a big difference between old-timers and newbies.

Those of us who have been doing this for a while got into the field because the work interested us and matched our natural skill (grammar nerds and liked to type and naturally curious and would research stuff in big medical books just because we were intrigued) set well.

It seems like the newbs get into this TO WORK FROM HOME.  Doesn't matter what the work is, they just want to work from home.  I hear newbs say things like, "I don't like English," or "I'm not good at punctuation." (!!)  This is the job, people!!

I actually knew a woman who was going back to school to be an MT.  She was deaf (literally--had bilateral hearing aids), had a back injury that made it so she wouldn't be able to sit for long periods, and couldn't string together a sentence on paper if her life depended on it.  What are these people thinking??!!  Mercifully, she dropped out after receiving marks in the 30s and 40s on her first several tests.

I've only been in this biz for about 13 years, but now that my last one is off to school, I'm also thinking about a career change.  I live in a very rural area as well, so I understand completely what you mean about people thinking $8 an hour is a good wage. 

One thing I'd like to suggest is looking into a state job.  We have 2 state prisons in my area (about a 20-minute commute) and both hire medical transcriptionists as well as medical records personnel.  These jobs generally start out at about $12 to $15 an hour plus state benefits, which in my state are the best bennies anywhere.  The jobs that require coding certification pay even more.  I would highly recommend that you look on the internet for state civil service jobs in your state.  You'd be surprised at the opportunities in the medical field. 

I'm considering this option myself but want to wait until next fall, after I have the summer to spend with my kids (and so I don't start out "in the hole" because of babysitting expenses) and to have time to look into getting my coding cert.  I graduated from a business school with an Associate's in medical secretarial and did a lot of coding prior to working from home.  I used to do billing for a very large rehab facility, so I don't think it will be too hard to brush up on my skills.

Anyway, good luck and let me know if this (a state job) pans out for you.  Most people have no idea these kinds of jobs are even out there (I didn't).

used DocQscribe, but I have used Meditech, Cerner, Vianeta, the Precyse platform (I can't remember the name), Dolbey, and  Lanier platform I think was called Cequence (?). 

Out of all the different platforms I have typed on, I have liked EXText the best.  In my opinion, it's very user friendly, easy to learn, and I really like ESP which is the built in abbreviation expander.  Plus it is very easy to create your own normals which I love.  My fingers literally never leave the keyboard because there are macro keys for everything.  You can use your mouse if you prefer or learn the function macros.  I love it.  I think I'm more productive on EXText than with any other platform.

I have been thinking for quite a while about getting into coding.  Are there any MTs here who are also coders?  Are there any reputable "on-line" coding schools?  I really would like to do this.  27 years is enough.  If anybody knows about this, feel free to e-mail me.

Thanks

I used to work in a Doctor's office and do coding, electronic insurance billing, statements.  I loved it, but I had to quit because of my kids.  If my kids were older, I would still be doing it now.  I fell into coding when I was a Medical Assistant and it lasted 16 years.  Maybe I will get into it again when the kids get older. 

As far as any online schools that good, I don't know.  But what I can tell you is from my experience, working from an office or hospital is the best place to be for coding!!

I will try to be brief (please don't think me curt but there is much more I could say that I just don't have time to go into).

First to be a professional coder, you will need to be nationally certified.  There are 2 national organizations that provide proctored certification.  The first was AAPC and has an excellent program for both office-based and hospital-based coding certifications.  You can do the home program or find a company who provides classroom instruction and testing.  Either route will cost you about $1500 and about 3-4 months investment.  The other national is AHIMA.  You would need to look at their website to find the details for them, as I did not utilize them.  They cater more to people who are already in the field and need certification.

Because AHIMA's umbrella covers more than just coding, hospitals tend to give more credibility to their credentialling, but since AAPC set the standard and has the largest number of members, they have to be doing something right.  Both companies require prior coding experience, personal recommendations and membership in their organization.  If you have no previous experience, they have apprenticeship programs.  The CEUs to maintain your certification is about 20 per year with each organization.

Your investment in resources to perform your job is greater than in MT.  You will probably need a lap top and several programs to perform your job if it is not provided by an employer.  You can be a consultant if you can't get a job as a coder.  You could get additional certification and become an instructor and teach.

The next issue is home versus on-site work.  Some MT companies are beginning to combined MT and coding into their at-home programs; however, if you have no experience and no liability insurance and no support network, you could find yourself out of a job if you cannot produce quantity and quality quickly.  Finding a on-site coding position is difficult without experience unless you get lucky and find an office to give you a chance.  Many, many times your best bet to find a job is by networking through your local national's chapter or showing exceptional talent in the classroom setting and getting a referral from the instructor.

Coding is different from MT in that you are held liable by the federal government if you make a mistake.  Yes, the doctor is ultimately responsible, but the wording in the law states that the person who submits the bill is as guilty as the provider.  There are monetary and jail time penalties - and how much of each depends on how well you can prove it was accidental because the government assumes the fraud was intentional unless proven otherwise.  Better have insurance.  Because of this law, that is why you are seeing a greater need for certified coders...hospitals in particular do not want to expose themselves to the liability of the Office of Inspector General with unqualified personnel.

I got a coding auditor position on the outpatient side of a hospital.  I went to the clinics and performed audits of the previous quarter for every doctor at each clinic.  I scored everything, compiled reports, provided education to the doctors who failed the audits, provided monthly ongoing education and a coding hotline for daily unusual circumstances.  I was paid about $20/hr which was the low end of the spectrum for a hospital employee.  Physician offices tend to pay $12-15.  When I relocated to a different part of the country, I could not immediately find a coding position, so I went back into MT.  It took another year before I found a management company where I could code, but by then I needed to return back across the country due to family issues...and I let my certification lapse and continued with MT.

what is the best way to get into coding?  I have thought about an online course. 

I have experience in medical billing for 12 years and transcription for four years and I am also going back to school to pursue coding and take the national exam to get my CPC.  Coding is the new future as this transcription business is falling apart everyday.  It is so hard to make a decent wage.  These National companies are indeed a sweat shop taking advantage of the DR’s and paying us a pathetic price.  I make 12 cents a line working for a local physician, but I have lost 4 doctors already due to outsourcing.  I am running fast back to school because I think in the next couple years there will be VR everywhere.  What a shame to such a good profession.  This is just because someone was a little bit too greedy.

Good luck with coding. 

I am taking a continuing education class through my college for 8 months with medical terminology, which I really do not need as I have enough of that, but I am sure it will not hurt, and anatomy and physiology plus the coding.  I have also heard of the Carol J. Buck books and I am also going to purchase them once they come out in the first of January.  I heard these are good books.  I am one of those persons that needs someone to teach me and do better than trying to read out of the book and doing it on my own, but the Carol Buck book would not hurt as an addition.  This is the way to go for me as I have been burned too many times in this transcription industry in the last four years.  It is a shame it is like this way.  There is too much negativity.

I've actually thought about coding as well.  I was an ART/RHIT so I've done a bit of it and liked it, but I liked transcription better.  That was then; this is now.  If HHS would ever stop messing about, the US would start using ICD-10 like the rest of the civilized world.  This is very different from the current ICD-9-CM, so even experienced coders will have to take classes.  Some of my coder friends say they would consider retirement at that time.  Perhaps it would be our opportunity to make a switch. 

Airline job, huh?  I hope he means Southwest because the old major carriers aren't doing well.  I do wonder about Sir Richard Branson's new Virgin America, though.  Of course, maybe you'd get free/reduced fare miles and the paid vacation time to spend them on as part of the benefit package.  Got anywhere you'd like to go?  Taking son along is optional. (she smiles)

Coding is similar to MT.  It can be sent out to a service (Medquist does coding, too) which means it can be sent overseas.  There are computer programs for coding whose developers think will eventually be able to be used by clerks with no training in coding at all.  There are interesting benchmarks for productivity in coding:  Number of charts per day, inches of chart per day, money amount cleared from AR.  There's a lot of pressure in this line of work, too. Still, it might be around longer than MT, and from an administrative standpoint, it is a money-maker since how soon and how much the provider is paid depends on the speed and accuracy of the coding.  You do have to watch out for bosses who want you to illegally *upcode* to increase reimbursement. 

To get hired and move up, you really need to have one of AHIMA's many coding credentials behind your name, and their tests are tough!  I wouldn't mess with on-line classes.  Look for a junior college or college that has an RHIT/RHIA program.  They may have a coding certificate as well.  If the US ever gets around to adopting ICD-10, it may be a good opportunity to get into coding because this version is quite different from the current ICD-9-CM.  Even established coders are going to have to learn a lot of  new stuff. 

I was an inpatient coder.  I liked it, but I'm sure it's changed a low now. Back when I did it we had to read through the charts and try to decipher the physician's handwriting when no reports were available and it ruined my vision.  We also had the stress of the hospital chain I worked for trying to get us to code up to a more expensive diagnosis, whether the patient had it or not.

My husband went to school for it a couple of years ago and aced the course, but nobody would hire him because he had no experience actually doing it, so the course was an absolute waste of money.  Most placed want credentials too.  Unless you are willing to donate your time for free at a local hospital to get some experience, it's hard to break into now for new people.

There is a definite advantage to being an MT and switching to coding.  I found a course through an adult education course (excellent course and virtually free except for the books) and it was great.  It is difficult and very technical, more than just assigning numbers to diagnoses but I liked it.  The thing is, at least from where I am (So Cal), I would have had to take a huge cut in pay to take an entry level position, work into coding, apprentice, and then once certified, then the potential for earnings is there.  Also, I think you really need to have a lot of experience before you can do it from home.  I can't take any kind of step backwards in pay or I'd be pursuing it.  Who knows, maybe I still will.  I just want to alert everyone to check their adult education programs, ROP, and local colleges first before paying a lot for this education.  Good luck!

I don't know if the course is good or bad but personally I would not recommend that anyone take any of the training for medical "work-at-home" jobs.  I expect that shortly all coding will be done electronically and it should be easier to implement than VR.  I think people are going to have to get used to paying a babysitter and commuting to a workplace if they expect a paycheck.  There are jobs that will allow at least some flexibility, even some that are family friendly.

Use the link below that I wrote a few months ago.  It is a very honest review of today's coding needs and environment.  Good luck!

http://forum.mtstars.com/company/v/1/13589.html

Admnistrator, What happened to the coding board?

The growth opportunities are so much more than with transcription and the need for coders is tremendous.  Please don't be put off by people saying that it is so hard to get into.  While you may incur some stumbling blocks depending upon where you live, they are very easy to get over if you volunteer during your clinical process.  That is usually all it takes.  I'm not understanding why individuals seem to want to dissuade career seekers with such negative advice, such as you will never get a job or you will be sued if you make a mistake because you are liable.  Hogwash!!!  The only time you may be individually pursued is if you are an INDEPENDENT, working for yourself and no other company, hospital, or physician's office.  Otherwise, there are compliance programs in place in organizations that make the facility the reponsible party, although it's possible you could lose your job.  But all facilities should have good Quality Assurance programs in place, and therefore the quality of your work is being constantly evaluated, as it is with transcription.  This places the reponsibility for correct coding with the facility.

If you are seeking training on an independent study basis, AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) and the AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) both offer great programs.  AHIMA's program is $2000 not including books.  They award the CCS (hospital-based) and CCS-P (physican-based) credentials.  The AAPC program costs are based on the type of certification you are seeking...$1105 for the CPC (physician-based) and $1540 for CPC-H (hospital-based).  As a previous poster stated, you DO NOT at this time have to have previous experience, personal references, or membership in order to obtain AHIMA certification.  Although, credentialing requirements are swiftly changing in health information (so don't delay if you are considering this field).  You do have to have at least 2 years experience and membership to obtain the CPC or CPC-H.  However, if you take their program, they will waive one year and award you a CPC-A (apprentice) until you finish your first year.  Then after verification they will automatically award you the full CPC or CPC-H.

I, personally, am taking the CPC program at the AAPC.  I have been transcribing for 8 years and am ready to change for good.  I do, however, have previous experience as a coder.  I was a coder with a major insurance/healthcare provider on the east coast.  I was employed right out of school with no experience ($17/hr, 6 years ago).  I am currently a member of AHIMA and have been for 6 years.  I graduated with an A.A.S. in Health Information and am an RHIT.  I am mainly taking a course to brush up, get a coding-specific credential, and jump right in.  The job opportunities and pay are outrageous here in my area.  I truly believe they can be the same for any new coder in this area, as I have seen many of my colleagues and previous classmates do extremely well, all coming from different backgrounds, some with no experience and some with much experience.

I see many people asking about coding so I thought I would just try and help a little and give accurate, upbeat, and truthful information to the best of my ability.  However, I can't type this all again so I hope it goes along way

Please excuse any typos as I am too tired to edit.  I work four 10-hour days and today is one of them!

Hope this helps!