I do both coding and MT work. I'd definitely say to go with coding/insurance billing
Posted By: Jack-of-All Trades on 2007-08-30
In Reply to: Medical Coder or Medical Transcription - Barb
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.
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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.
Coding/Billing is TOTALLY different
from MT work. You are not trained or qualified to do MT work.
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...
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.
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.
Coding vs Transcription
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
I do billing at home, but ...
the only reason I am able to do billing and coding from home is that I worked for years, in-house, for both of the doctors I work for. At some point, I just said, "I need and want to be home, either we can work something out from home where I log in or you'll have to replace me." Luckily, they were will to give it a chance and it works pretty good. The only other coding jobs around here are in-hospital and I may try that some day but not now. If your goal is to stay-at-home and there are no opportunities do billing at home, I would steer towards transcription.
Medware Insurance
I was wondering if they offer medical benefits and if they are reasonable. I am a Diskriter employee and really love it here but our insurance is going up soon.
Insurance Claims
I do part-time work for an insurance company doing their basic claim tapes. I charge by the page $3.00. I would also imagine it would depend on the going rate in your area.
Insurance interviews??
Before you go any farther, you need to ask some questions. If it is transcribing the actual intake interview -- do they double space, 1.5 space, do you indent over for the answer making the line shorter -- If it is transcrining the actual interview sometimes these are not as easy as you think and I would never do $3 a page unless it was double spaced and a 12 font. If it single spaced, small font you can get up to 50 to 60 lines on a page and that would equal 0.4 to 6 cpl. I have done these, I have done court recordings, land use meetings, seminars and it sounds pretty easy but sometimes they are not. Again, ask some questions as to what you will exactly be typing. If it is the actual intake interview that can be an hour or longer at times, it can often be held in areas where the sound is very poor. I am not saying don't do it but ask some questions before you decide what to charge. Just my 2 cents worth.
I paid medical insurance claims
for about 17 years, so while this did help me tremendously with the terminology, etc., I don't think there is any way you can do this without the proper training. I knew a lot about the medical field, but it still doesn't compare to what you learn when schooling to be an MT
I've seen awful work from "experienced MTs and good work from new graduates
I've seen awful work from "experienced MTs and good work from new graduates.
Training and education really does make a difference. Some people just have 15 or 20 years of very bad experience. They may be fortunate that one employer was willing to hire and keep them, but if that one closed, they would be in trouble. It all depends on the person. some new graduates are a better bet then some experienced MTs. I would prefer to find an experienced MT with great skills and a teachable attitude, but many experienced MTs know everything and are only willing to do things the way they've always done them.
most psych work is included in multispecialty hospital work..sm
contracted to a medical transcription service that requires multispecialty experience because of the hospital work. Unfortunately, very rarely can a medical Transcriptionist these days be given only one specialty when working for a service or hospital. We have to be well versed in multi specialties. The Turn Around Time on demands have increased, and thus the service or hospital gives the MT many different types of work. Learn as many specialties and gain as much experience in different specialties, which in turn will make you a more valuable MT and more apt to gain employment.
Just be sure not to pay for work. There is an MTSO below who apparently charges to work for them (sm
It might be tempting when you're getting desperate for work to pay someone so you can work for them, but don't do it. You can buy software and a foot pedal on your own, so don't let them fool you. If you are approached via e-mail from this site by an MTSO saying they have work for you, please read the posts below before making any decisions.
Can you share where you work that the work is plentiful? nm
s
Work for MTs
I was hired before I even graduated or had begun job hunting by a large transcription company. It was the easiest job I have ever gotten. I was hired because I attended a top-notch school (M-TEC) and did well in the program. There are plenty of jobs for well trained MTs, even new ones.
Work through it
Type the report thorugh the first time. Look up any you are not sure of to gain understanding of the report. Listen again full through and fill in blanks. Then listen again to problem areas to pick out works. Never guess. Leave blanks where you are not sure. Any hard dictator takes time to learn and multiple listens to the voice file to complete it to the best of your ability.
FT work and PT Mt work...
can this be done or am I getting in over my head. FT in-house, not MT and PT MT at home.
Anyone else doing this?
looking for work
Hi,
I would suggest NOT going to companies.....try docs you know personally or that have their own practice. That is how i started, just walked in, gave them a business card and flyer and made a deal, that if they gave me a chance, i would reduce the cost for the first 30 days. i got my first doc that way five years ago and he has referred me to many and i am still with him in addition to two others he referred to me! It is wonderful.....set your own hours, no rush on anything. good luck!
Cindi
Not enough work
I am actually an employee and they do have set hours kind of. Technically they say set hours but I have 2 split days and was told at the beginning as long as you get hour 40 hours in. But also at the same time, the first 2 hours of my work day I have been getting mabye 10 dictations, but they still ask you to tell them if you are not going to be around at any of those times, and when you will make up those hours. It is just frustrating because everything was starting to click into place. Finally getting up to 1300 lines a day and making some good money!
Not enough work.
I have been working for about 1-1/2 years now in med trans, almost a year for this one company. Still pretty new at the lingo and how the business side of things run. But lately, there has not been enough work with the company and I am sitting around for hours getting only a few dictations downloading. Your are assigned an account and also a backup but I was just wondering if this slow time thing is normal? This has been going on now for 3 weeks, also kind of has been occurring every now and then since this summer. I am just wondering how long what the usual is and how long should I wait until starting to look for another job?
Thanks
maybe her son will go to work for her too. nm
:)
Here's what seems to work for me
I have a very active 16-month-old and there's no WAY I can work when she is awake. She needs my attention every minute at this age. She stays home with me fulltime. I get up at 7 am and spend the mornings with her till naptime (around noon till 2 or 3pm) and work when she is napping. I then work after she goes to bed at night, usually from 8ish to 11 or midnight. I still get about 6-7 hours of sleep a night and although I could use a little more, it's so worth it to have my sweetie home with me :) I'm lucky enough to have a 24-hr TAT with no set hours and this helps immensely too. I tried part-time set hours and that was a bust at this point in our lives.
I also have a mother's helper (a 14-yr-old neighborhood girl) who comes 3 afternoons a week for 2 hours to watch and play with my daughter so I can get a little extra work/catch up on housework time. I pay her $4/hr and she is thrilled to get it.
Where there's a will, there's a way! :)
work!!
I work for a local dermatology clinic. I applied like crazy to more than a few nationals and no one would hire me even though I was passing their tests. But I like the fact that I can still work at home the majority of my work day, I have to go into the office to pick up my tapes and print what I typed the previous day. I live close to the office so it's not like I'm breaking the bank driving into an office 15 to 20 miles away everyday, and my children don't have to spend 9 hours a day, 5 days a week in day care like they did when I had my office accounting job.
want to work...
I am looking to work from home as an MT. I just finished school and have no experience. I am willing to do an apprenticeship is necessary. Anybody got any ideas?
I did some work for them.
They are a pretty good place to work, as far as I know, I am new too. Good luck!
Need work!!
Hello,
Im a new MT graduate looking for work. Please if anyone knows of any companies that will hire new MT graduates, please let me know. Or if you are company willing to give a chance let me know.
Thanks,
Sonnett
Seriously, looking for work!
I recently completed my at-home education and am also having a tough time getting work. I am a mom, both of my children are in school. I am extremely hardworking and eager to start work. Does anyone have advice for me on what to do next? I have joined AAMT and have posted my resume in a number of places. I have applied with many of the large companies via internet. I am so frustrated with the testing process, not knowing how I am doing. Maybe these companies just don't want newbies? I also made several attempts to solicit work through local Doctors. With all of my effort, the only lead I received resulted in a $600 loss with TA Assoc. I am sure you have all heard of them! Help?
No work yet.
Here it is Tuesday morning 10:00 and no work yet. Yesterday it was about 2:00 before anything arrived. Does every company have this problem?
No work yet.
I have an even better one: How would you like to get backup accounts with "no work" too. What a joke.
Would MT work for me?
Hi!
I am a 53 year old nurse with over 25 years nursing experience. In 2005 I moved to a Caribbean island with my husband who was itching to retire.
I have done some writing since moving here, but I miss my medical career. Unfortunately, the island I live on does not want to give me a nursing license, so I am looking for replacement career! I am not ready for retirement.
Although I could certainly do the course work, I wonder if being located "off shore" would decrease my employment possibilities. I do, however, maintain a U.S. address for business purposes. I would like the imput from MT's out there.
I heard from a company called TRS Institute who says they hire off shore workers after completing their course. Anyone know about them?
Thanks,
Jen
Help, no work...
I just started with a new company and there has been no work for over a week. I have emailed and IM'd, and all they will tell me is that there should be work soon, that is, when they respond. What do I do now? Wait, or start looking again? Why do they hire when there is no work to do?
Work
Hi Karen,
If you would like some work until the other comes in, please let me know. If you have WP and a wave player, I would be willing to discuss overflow work for you.
Thank you,
Debbie, WRU Transcription in Illinois
work
I guess it all depends what wage you are making. There are some companies that pay newbies better than others. So may be that is what you have to look at.
Is this the one where you pay them $100 and then get to work for 2 cpl?
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Anyone work for MQ?
I have used the search function on this site to try to find out what really is the problem with working at Medquist. Basically, all I get is that they restructured which affected people's accounts and line counts at the time, got rid of bonuses and 401K matching and don't answer emails. As far as QA feedback goes, on one hand I read that you never hear from them and on the other that they pester you all the time.
Surely, a lot of people do actually work for them. I was thinking of applying. I don't really find the above all that horrible. Am I missing something?
Enlightenment would be appreciated. Thanks.
Work there Now!
This place has really changed since being bought out by Nightingale (formerly Scribes) There were a lot of cuts which in turn, made a lot of MTs and employees leave. However, all the good ones stayed and are growing with the company. There's also been a lot of turnover in the office, but again, it seems like it's for the better. The air of the company seems to be getting lighter and talking with the girls in production is a lot of fun these days! "more fun than..."
I really like it and don't plan on leaving any time soon! Plus, where else can you get paid training with a QA standard like none-other! That's why they get the good accounts! And moving towards EMR, this looks fantastic!
Nope, not going anywhere!
OMG!!! Why would anyone work for that?
New grad or not, no one needs to work for such low wages. Sha, I really hope this is not what they offered you. If it is, you need to run from this company. They obviously don't value their MTs. Even if you do 400 lph editing, which new grads can rarely, if ever, do, you would only be making $5 an hour! I thought 5.25 for straight transcription was low, but 1.25 for editing? That is ridiculous! 
looking for work.
I am looking to do psychiatric report transcription mostly but have some experience in the hospital medical fields also. I have about 2 years psych experience and 6-8 months medical experience. Can anybody help.
Amber
MT work available
Is the only work available from nationals VR/ASR rejects?
I need work!!! Please help!!!!
 PLEASE HELP!!!! Desperately in need of work.I do not have exprience, but I do have a CNA certifcate, and I am familiar with medical terms. I have a dictation pedal, and software. Please help, my husband is sick and unable to work at this time. We have 2 small children, so I have to be working from home. Sincerely... Amber Holt
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