Billing and Coding

I am having trouble finding a job in this field too. Graduated n 2007 and still not found a job. Most offices want at least one year experience in this profession. It is not as easy as they make it out to be when you start schooling. Good luck to everyone!

emmie in Cookeville, Tennessee said: I am having trouble finding a job in this field too. Graduated n 2007 and still not found a job. Most offices want at least one year experience in this profession. It is not as easy as they make it out to be when you start schooling. Good luck to everyone!

Hello, my name is Amanda and I also had problems findidng a job right after school. What helped me was that I did volunteer work at my local hospital. I Graduated as a certified Medical Billing/Coding Specialist. Even thoughh I didn't do any billing or coding at the hospital, I gained other skills and time in a hospital setting. I did that part time while I went back to working retail. It kindda sucke for a while because I wanted to do billing so badly, but I was patient and it paid off. Now I work with one of the doctors that I met while doing my time at the hospital. Maybe this can help you too. Good luck and God bless

Amanda in Victorville, California said: Hello, my name is Amanda and I also had problems findidng a job right after school. What helped me was that I did volunteer work at my local hospital. I Graduated as a certified Medical Billing/Coding Specialist. Even thoughh I didn't do any billing or coding at the hospital, I gained other skills and time in a hospital setting. I did that part time while I went back to working retail. It kindda sucke for a while because I wanted to do billing so badly, but I was patient and it paid off. Now I work with one of the doctors that I met while doing my time at the hospital. Maybe this can help you too. Good luck and God bless

Thank you for the idea I was thinking about volunteer work at a Hospital to be in a medical setting is probably rewarding I'm gonna go and volunteer, I feel better knowing it worked for you, Thanks GREAT ADVICE!! I wish you Good Health I hope it works for me,It would make me so happy.How do you like the medical Billing and coding work?

I have tried to get in the hospital here in our city. They replied to me in a letter that they had no positions open in that area for volunteers. It is ashame that you can't even give your time away. I am very disappointed in the hospital. WE are a nice size city between two or three large cities. Actually it is Cookeville not Crossville. I have even tried the doctors offices and they are to lazy to let you sign a privacy policy waiver. What more to do?

Emmie, don't give up. Have you tried the local temporary agencies in your area? Does the school you graduated from not have placement opportunities? That was how I attained my first job. Don't just stop at one hospital either, also try different doctor's offices. Even if they may not need you, they may tell a friend about you. Also, because of the economy, try to apply for a medical secretary position. Try not to be discouraged. I know it's hard trying to find a job. It was hard when I did my externship. Free training, no pay and praying that I would meet the requirements to get hired.

Don't give up. I graduated in Jan. 2008 with a Medical Billing Certificate with honors here in Chicago, and got about a years experience working temporary jobs. This year the market dried out for even those so I'm getting my certifications through ahima, and volunteering in hospitals while I work retail. It's tough but I feel positive about the outcomes, because otherwise I'd shoot myself.

emmie in Cookeville, Tennessee said: I am having trouble finding a job in this field too. Graduated n 2007 and still not found a job. Most offices want at least one year experience in this profession. It is not as easy as they make it out to be when you start schooling. Good luck to everyone!

Hi. I am brand new to the field, too. I only have Community College education and wasn't even advised by instructor on how to get certified. I am so distressed and depressed to read that it is so hard for everyone and not just me. I did ask one firm for an internship and they declined. I pray we all get out of this economy soon and back to work properly. I want to do billing and transcription. I thought going to school would help find a decent job and so far, no luck.
Good Luck to everyone and if any of you have good wishes to spare for me, I will GLADLY take them!
Take care everyone!

Well I will wish you the best of luck. It is very stressful and heart breaking that no one will help us get into the field. The excuses I have heard about letting me come in and shadow someone is because of the HIPPA rules. I don't believe this. All you do is sign a confidentality paper. How do we get a job if they want someone with experience if they won't let us come in and get it?
I also want to do transcription but the schooling is higher than I want to pay. IS it best to get a certificate or an associate degree? Let me know your thoughts on this. Good luck once again.

Emmie

Hi everyone, i have plan to start medical billing & coding course in community collage. but before i want to known if anyone in this field just let me know is this course worth it or not. because i have to pay lot & also i have to spent time too.Before can i to valunteer in this area.i do not have any idea about this.

I haven't had any luck in this field and I have had my associate'e degree for two years. Most offices won't let you come in and shadow because of the privacy policy. I don't know what to tell you about the decision to go to school, two years for me without any luck, I would tell you to go into x-ray or lab work. The best of luck in whatever decision you make.

Lara in Levittown, Pennsylvania said: Hi everyone, i have plan to start medical billing & coding course in community collage. but before i want to known if anyone in this field just let me know is this course worth it or not. because i have to pay lot & also i have to spent time too.Before can i to valunteer in this area.i do not have any idea about this.

I spent two years in a medical billing and coding diploma program and graduated January of this year still have no job. I had one interview and wasn't hired because I have no experience. No one will even consider hiring me since i have no experience in the medical field. I graduated with a 3.99 GPA and have alot of loan money I must pay back. I've even tried applying for medical receptionist or file clerk and no luck yet. I applied to atleast 4 hospitals and nothing. I've noticed that there is a need for physical therapist and dental assisting. Good luck but consider your options before getting in this field.

Try this it worked for me. Start contacting ambulance companies in your area. Contact their billing office to find out if they need help in the billing dept. Most ambulance companies have to train their billing people because the coding is so specialized and different from medical billing.

Lara in Levittown, Pennsylvania said: Hi everyone, i have plan to start medical billing & coding course in community collage. but before i want to known if anyone in this field just let me know is this course worth it or not. because i have to pay lot & also i have to spent time too.Before can i to valunteer in this area.i do not have any idea about this.

Medical billing is a good field but ambulance billing is better because its so specialized. Most ambulance companies have to train because medical billing programs do not teach this specialized area of billing.

Sam Clark in Aliso Viejo, California said: Medical billing is a good field but ambulance billing is better because its so specialized. Most ambulance companies have to train because medical billing programs do not teach this specialized area of billing.

thank you for ths great idea ? how did u contact them in person, by phone, or online

I contacted them by phone but I'm sure email would work. Good luck to you.

Medical billing is very stable. You won't make a killing but you should be able to make a decent living depending upon when you live. I think Ambulance billing is a better way to go though. It's specialized and if you can get with a 911 provider/ first responder you should have job security providing you are a good employee.

Hi, im thinking of getting in the medical field for medical billing and coding. what's the best school i can go to and what should i expect from this training. also is it better to get training from an online course or pay 14,000 at EVEREST,AMERICAN CAREER COLLEGE, CDI, OR pay 1,500 to 2000 online from a online school. before i do anything i will try to volunteer first so i can start getting some experience.

If you go to a two year college and get your associates in billing and coding, it won't be just 2000.00, it will be just as expensive online as on a campus. Mine was 20,000.00, not 1500.00 to 2000.00. It is not cheap anywhere you go. Good luck. Where did you find one that cheap? Is it a certificate or a degree?

AZ in Allentown, Pennsylvania said: I spent two years in a medical billing and coding diploma program and graduated January of this year still have no job. I had one interview and wasn't hired because I have no experience. No one will even consider hiring me since i have no experience in the medical field. I graduated with a 3.99 GPA and have alot of loan money I must pay back. I've even tried applying for medical receptionist or file clerk and no luck yet. I applied to atleast 4 hospitals and nothing. I've noticed that there is a need for physical therapist and dental assisting. Good luck but consider your options before getting in this field.

I hear you. I have my associate degree and still no job in the field. Most offices won't let you volunteer because of the privacy policy.

Amanda in Victorville, California said: Hello, my name is Amanda and I also had problems findidng a job right after school. What helped me was that I did volunteer work at my local hospital. I Graduated as a certified Medical Billing/Coding Specialist. Even thoughh I didn't do any billing or coding at the hospital, I gained other skills and time in a hospital setting. I did that part time while I went back to working retail. It kindda sucke for a while because I wanted to do billing so badly, but I was patient and it paid off. Now I work with one of the doctors that I met while doing my time at the hospital. Maybe this can help you too. Good luck and God bless

Yes, I offered to volunteer at the hospital and they said that there was nothing available in an office. I guess it is just not my time.

MIKE in Los Angeles, California said: Hi, im thinking of getting in the medical field for medical billing and coding. what's the best school i can go to and what should i expect from this training. also is it better to get training from an online course or pay 14,000 at EVEREST,AMERICAN CAREER COLLEGE, CDI, OR pay 1,500 to 2000 online from a online school. before i do anything i will try to volunteer first so i can start getting some experience.

Well this one is only online for $8,000. the other one is in Laguna hills, ca 3000 online only
www.alliedhealthinstitute.edu/

im not sure about this one
www.drexel.com/index.aspx

this one is around 3000 but its only coding 11 to 14 months.

I would suggest the online route, it's cheaper and you can do your lessons any day or any time. Kaplan College has an online medical billing program.

Hi, I'm currently studying medical billing at Glendale comunity college. I'm persuing a certificate there. I have gone to private schools and dropped. I found the people there very rude and immature. I have had no problems at the comunity college. Plus the Dept of Vocational Rehab is helping me and they do not fund or support the private schools -ie trade schools for a variety of reasons-one being there is no real disability support services, the trade schools are way too expensive. I paid nothing at the comunity college-VR paid for my books and other small fees as well as transportation. I am a big fan of alternative medicine based on personal experiences. I love animals too and maybe could work for a vet.

Voc Rehab will pay for your schooling. They pay for whatever the government does not. GCC's program does not teach you coding as it pertains to the demands of the work-place. Everything is general and quite generic. We are in Eagle Rock and help certify people in the coding profession (CCS CPC). Their grads get lost in our cert review program.

They dont have an Externship/Volunteer component of their program so you will have to arrange this yourself. They also dont help place you into a job.

MIKE in Los Angeles, California said: Hi, im thinking of getting in the medical field for medical billing and coding. what's the best school i can go to and what should i expect from this training. also is it better to get training from an online course or pay 14,000 at EVEREST,AMERICAN CAREER COLLEGE, CDI, OR pay 1,500 to 2000 online from a online school. before i do anything i will try to volunteer first so i can start getting some experience.

Mike, We are one of three schools in Southern California the offers the CCS and CPC review. These are Coding Certification that enable you to establish yourself in this profession. Everst, American and UEI are really general billing programs with poor curiculums.

gcc does teach you coding as it applies in the work place. they also help you find a job and have externships. the medical billing and coding certificate is quite new. I will not make the mistake of going to a vocational school again and my vocational counselor only supports community colleges

MIKE in Los Angeles, California said: Well this one is only online for $8,000. the other one is in Laguna hills, ca 3000 online only
www.alliedhealthinstitute.edu/

im not sure about this one
www.drexel.com/index.aspx

this one is around 3000 but its only coding 11 to 14 months.

www.glendale.edu. Glendale community college has a brand new medical billig and coding certificate that is only 18 units with an externship. You might be able to get a fee waiver and or a grant and pay practically nothing for your education. With the economy it is a good idea not to rack up more debt with student loans for schools that costs thousands! I could buy a brand new prius for the price of some private schools. This is located in glendale, ca. enrollment fee is only $26 dollars a unit, which can be waived with a board of governor's grant. Just speaking from my own personal exp!

Ask them if they train you to get your CCS (Ahima CCS Certification). Ask them about the CPC (Certifed Professional Coder Certification). They will not understand what you are talking about. We have at least 10 transfers from there. They do not have job placement. They will give you a list of the job posting boards and assist you with your resume. Externships at GCC?

Your voc rehab councilor is pocketing quite a bit of money if that is the only place they will send you. I have been working with them for over 20 years.

Michael Career Training in Los Angeles, California said: Ask them if they train you to get your CCS (Ahima CCS Certification). Ask them about the CPC (Certifed Professional Coder Certification). They will not understand what you are talking about. We have at least 10 transfers from there. They do not have job placement. They will give you a list of the job posting boards and assist you with your resume. Externships at GCC?

Your voc rehab councilor is pocketing quite a bit of money if that is the only place they will send you. I have been working with them for over 20 years.

95% of the Voc Rehab Councilors in California have shut their doors since Arnold took office. Legislation was passed that all but illiminated Voc Rehab. Most people are now going through the WIA.

If it does not help you get certified (not a certificate of completion)dont waste your time. If you need to speak to people in the field, who are actually working; let me know.

Most Voc Schools and JC's are way behind the ball. Budgiemom, I know you are proud of your decision but as indicated on GCC's website, there is no certification training. You are looking at $8-$12 dollars an hour in Medical Collections or as a Medical Records Clerk.

Mike avoid Kaplan (no certifications). The only online school I know worth its weight in gold is a billing certification program called: PMBAUSA.COM. After you obtain their certification they too will encourage you to get your AHIMA and AAPC Certifications.

I just signed up for classes for Medical Billing and Coding,cost me $16,000 all together and i have to go for 8 months and i get my diploma,will i be able to find a job when i graduate,i plan on moving to a different state if they are hiring,and is the pay good,i dont want to go to school for 8 months and 20hrs a week,if im only goona make $11 an hour when i graduate, and it will cut my hours alot at work where i make $11 an hour now...

Bryan in Westland, Michigan said: I just signed up for classes for Medical Billing and Coding,cost me $16,000 all together and i have to go for 8 months and i get my diploma,will i be able to find a job when i graduate,i plan on moving to a different state if they are hiring,and is the pay good,i dont want to go to school for 8 months and 20hrs a week,if im only goona make $11 an hour when i graduate, and it will cut my hours alot at work where i make $11 an hour now...

i have been doing coding for about 3 years now, i also got my certificate at my local college. there is not much for people with no experience, but i got in by working at a small clinic (the big hospitals ONLY want experienced, preferably AHIMA or AAPC certified people)at the front desk. i eventually started helping the billing dept out and i learned a lot. then moved onto a centralized billing office for a big hospital system.

it will be slow going. i have been doing this for 3 years and am only making $13, however, i am finally sitting for my certification (just barely feel ready) so it should improve my prospects.

I'm currently thinking about taking a diploma course at milwaukee career college for medical and billing and coding specialist it takes 7 months and you get an internship for two months. the cost will be around 15,000 and i plan on moving to a southern state like florida but from what i hear theres no luck on finding these jobs seems like people don't quit them and i don't want to go to school for 8 months well 9 months total including the internship and not find a job. they also offer medical assistant and pharmacy tech programs at this school. I just want a nice paying job with a title to support my family and myself when i return to a four year college.please help!!!!

I would not pay 15,000 for a nine month period. IS there a degree? I got an associate for just 4,00 more. I have not found one since 2007. I have a lead on a part-time job. Most of the jobs don't offer insurance and I can't afford to leave my factory job for no one that doesn't have any. Look into MA or parhamcy assistant or some other field. Best of luck..

Does anyone know anything about Penn Foster's medical billing and coding program. I am looking to enroll in an online school.

Andre in Franklinton, North Carolina said: Does anyone know anything about Penn Foster's medical billing and coding program. I am looking to enroll in an online school.

Penn Foster is really a good school. They have the best service if you ever needed help. I just finished Medical Billing and Coding online through Penn Foster Three days ago. I'm just waiting for my last project to be graded by the teacher.

Good Luck

Thank you Rebecca, that is what I needed to know. I will be registering Monday.

How long did it take you to finish the course?

Andre in Franklinton, North Carolina said: How long did it take you to finish the course?

It took me 2 years, but I’m sure you can finish sooner. I have unique circumstances and really hard situation, but I have an overall average of 96.

Good luck

Rebecca in Melbourne, Florida said: It took me 2 years, but I’m sure you can finish sooner. I have unique circumstances and really hard situation, but I have an overall average of 96.

Good luck

Have you tried the job market yet, and does it look promising?

Rebecca in Melbourne, Florida said: It took me 2 years, but I’m sure you can finish sooner. I have unique circumstances and really hard situation, but I have an overall average of 96.

Good luck

Do you feel as though you are ready to sit for any of the exams?

Andre in Franklinton, North Carolina said: Have you tried the job market yet, and does it look promising?

To be honest with you, there are a lot of demands on medical insurance and Billing and Coding specialists; the problem is that, they all require prior experience in the field. I thought maybe I should get my coding certificate specialist from AHIMA to make my resume stronger and more appealing. Like I said, I just finished and trying to know what my goals are….It’s hard, but I'm sure we still can do it.

Lara in Levittown, Pennsylvania said: Hi everyone, i have plan to start medical billing & coding course in community collage. but before i want to known if anyone in this field just let me know is this course worth it or not. because i have to pay lot & also i have to spent time too.Before can i to valunteer in this area.i do not have any idea about this.

im studying billing coding and everyone in class keeps questioning if its worth it really im regreting ever studying this course

Go another direction. I have not found a job and I have been out for 2 1/2 years. Noone wants to let you train with them. I would pick Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Tech or Lab Tech. Best of Luck!!!!!!!!!

Then what the heck good is a certificate in Medical Billing if no one will hire you after you've gone to all the trouble getting it?! Is it just "the economy" or is this a location thing...are the states with lower unemployment easier to find jobs in even in this field? And by the way, how are you supposed to keep a roof over your head and eat while you do all this volunteering for two or more years to get the recent "experience" that medical billing wants? Do I even need to bother hanging the certificate on my wall or should I just file it away in a drawer, is it that useless? Was it a waster of paper to print it out on?!

Lab Tech? I already have a Bachelor's degree in Biology. Isn't that enough for a Lab Tech job, or do I need my Master's in Biotechnology for that one?!

rebecca in Melbourne, Florida said: To be honest with you, there are a lot of demands on medical insurance and Billing and Coding specialists; the problem is that, they all require prior experience in the field. I thought maybe I should get my coding certificate specialist from AHIMA to make my resume stronger and more appealing. Like I said, I just finished and trying to know what my goals are….It’s hard, but I'm sure we still can do it.

The teacher of the Medical Coding class at my school said that even AHIMA certification doesn't get you out of needing to still volunteer for a year or more before any place will think you're competent to do it.

Try your best to get in the medical records job to start. At least to some skilled nursing facility will accept, if you have at least basic knowledge of medical terminology + a little knowledge/without experience in coding. From there you will be able to gain experience. Although it is not like the acute hospital, but for a start you could, & at least wait for an advancement just in case there will be opening in the business office.

I have tried to volunteer or have them let me shadow somone and it still doens't get you in. They keep saying that it is about the privacy policy. I have tried at the hospital, doctor's offices and I have no more ideas where to ask. Good luck.............

emmie in Cookeville, Tennessee said: I have tried to volunteer or have them let me shadow somone and it still doens't get you in. They keep saying that it is about the privacy policy. I have tried at the hospital, doctor's offices and I have no more ideas where to ask. Good luck.............

Speaking as someone who has had shadows, they are a pain. I don't know why someone would advise you to volunteer or shadow. I can't think of any places that would want someone just hanging out at their office. Instead, get into the medical field, either by front desk receptionist (thats how i did it) or medical records or the billing/follow up instead of the coding. there are plenty of billing jobs, get one of those and then try to switch into the coding side after awhile.