Medical Billing and Coding I will graduate on 7/17/09

I am attending school for Medical Billing and Coding and will graduate on 7/17/09. I hear that it is difficult to find a job, unless you have at least 2 or more years experience is this true? And if not what position should new graduates apply for? What is on the certification test? What kinda questions is it a tough test?

Hello sackmanlisa,
when I went to school, my school had a job placement program. So I was hired out of school through my externship. Sometimes it is hard finding a job out of school, but don't let that discourage you. If you're asking about the CPC exam its 5 and 1/2 hours lllllloooooonnnnnggggg! Oh my goodness. I was soooo glad it was over! The AAPC requires that you work for a year to sit for the exam to have CPC behind your name. If you take it fresh out of school you will get the CPC-A(apprentice) and the A will automatically come off once two years have passed. Anyway, there is 10 anatomy questions, case study questions, surgery questions, OB/GYN questions(not too many) and the lab questions concerning biopsies and believe it or not frozen sperm questions. These are the questions that were on my test. Each test is different. I've heard there are five versions of the test, so the person sitting next to you may or may not have the same test, but you're taking a test to attain the same credential. I used the stydt guide offered through the AAPC and passed the first time. Thank God. Some people didn't and had to re-take it. If this happens to you, try not to be discouraged. People that take it the second time usually pass. I was motivated by the fact that I paid out of my pocket and most peopkle were taking it on the company. That may be why they didn't pass the first ime. It's a hard test, Very burtal, I wouldn't dare sugar coat it or lie to you. But it's worth it becuase that credential allows me to get paid $16.00 an hour to have it. I do ER coding by the way. Hope this helps.

Angel said: Hello sackmanlisa,
when I went to school, my school had a job placement program. So I was hired out of school through my externship. Sometimes it is hard finding a job out of school, but don't let that discourage you. If you're asking about the CPC exam its 5 and 1/2 hours lllllloooooonnnnnggggg! Oh my goodness. I was soooo glad it was over! The AAPC requires that you work for a year to sit for the exam to have CPC behind your name. If you take it fresh out of school you will get the CPC-A(apprentice) and the A will automatically come off once two years have passed. Anyway, there is 10 anatomy questions, case study questions, surgery questions, OB/GYN questions(not too many) and the lab questions concerning biopsies and believe it or not frozen sperm questions. These are the questions that were on my test. Each test is different. I've heard there are five versions of the test, so the person sitting next to you may or may not have the same test, but you're taking a test to attain the same credential. I used the stydt guide offered through the AAPC and passed the first time. Thank God. Some people didn't and had to re-take it. If this happens to you, try not to be discouraged. People that take it the second time usually pass. I was motivated by the fact that I paid out of my pocket and most peopkle were taking it on the company. That may be why they didn't pass the first ime. It's a hard test, Very burtal, I wouldn't dare sugar coat it or lie to you. But it's worth it becuase that credential allows me to get paid $16.00 an hour to have it. I do ER coding by the way. Hope this helps.

CAN ANYONE TELL ME HOW MUCH MORE DO A PERSON SUPPOSE TO GET PAID FOR EACH CREDENTIAL. FOR EXAMPLE: I HAVE MY RHIT AND SAY i GET MY CCS OR CPC-H CREDENTIAL HOW MUCH MORE SHOULD I EXPECT PER CREDENTIAL.

Angel said: Hello sackmanlisa,
when I went to school, my school had a job placement program. So I was hired out of school through my externship. Sometimes it is hard finding a job out of school, but don't let that discourage you. If you're asking about the CPC exam its 5 and 1/2 hours lllllloooooonnnnnggggg! Oh my goodness. I was soooo glad it was over! The AAPC requires that you work for a year to sit for the exam to have CPC behind your name. If you take it fresh out of school you will get the CPC-A(apprentice) and the A will automatically come off once two years have passed. Anyway, there is 10 anatomy questions, case study questions, surgery questions, OB/GYN questions(not too many) and the lab questions concerning biopsies and believe it or not frozen sperm questions. These are the questions that were on my test. Each test is different. I've heard there are five versions of the test, so the person sitting next to you may or may not have the same test, but you're taking a test to attain the same credential. I used the stydt guide offered through the AAPC and passed the first time. Thank God. Some people didn't and had to re-take it. If this happens to you, try not to be discouraged. People that take it the second time usually pass. I was motivated by the fact that I paid out of my pocket and most peopkle were taking it on the company. That may be why they didn't pass the first ime. It's a hard test, Very burtal, I wouldn't dare sugar coat it or lie to you. But it's worth it becuase that credential allows me to get paid $16.00 an hour to have it. I do ER coding by the way. Hope this helps.

What school did you go to? Were you able to do the class online?

sackmanlisa@yahoo.com in Saddle Brook, New Jersey said: I am attending school for Medical Billing and Coding and will graduate on 7/17/09. I hear that it is difficult to find a job, unless you have at least 2 or more years experience is this true? And if not what position should new graduates apply for? What is on the certification test? What kinda questions is it a tough test?

How funny I complete my course on the same day. I was wondering the same thing. I have found that it may be harder but it is not impossible. As long as we are willing to start off entry level and work your way up

I am considering taking the course for Medical Billing and Coding. Is the class dificult? I have been working on my terminology before
I start school but I have been a bit indecisive as far as going into Medical Administration or Medical Billing/coding. I already have 5 years of Administrative Assistant behind me and am hoping with this class it will put me in a medical office.

Hi i am currently living in Dubai, but im moving back to the states Chicago area and i am a certified medical biller and was wondering if anyone can help me find work in an office or to work with someone out of the home if so my email address is shavan1021@yahoo.com. Thank You

Tita in Cypress, California said: I am considering taking the course for Medical Billing and Coding. Is the class dificult? I have been working on my terminology before
I start school but I have been a bit indecisive as far as going into Medical Administration or Medical Billing/coding. I already have 5 years of Administrative Assistant behind me and am hoping with this class it will put me in a medical office.

Make sure the School has a Certification Review Course. AHIMA Certification is the preferred certification for most hospitals.
Watch out for Everest (Bryman) UEI, etc. There reps will tell they have a review course to get you in there. E-mail me for a list of schools in California that offer certification review.

You want to make sure the school you attend offers A Certification
Review Program. This comes after the core program and is designed to get you AHIMA or AAPC Certification. Most Hospitals ask for AHIMA certification.

There is a big difference between BILLING and CODING! Schools like Everest, UEI, KAPLAN, say they offer Billing and Coding but the coding they teach you is minimal and not designed to get you certified. A Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) in California can make $18.00 - $24.00 an hour. If you need more info let me know. I know of 2-3 schools that offer the full training including Certification Review. My e-mail is: mike@sticcc.com

I was thinking about taking Billing and Coding 8 month program from Everest and then moving to California, but i am now reading on this page that Everest is not a good school to go to for Billing and Coding. Can someone please advise me on why i shouldn't go too this school and if someone knows of another school for Billing and Coding in Az?

Thank you

sunshine in Tempe, Arizona said: I was thinking about taking Billing and Coding 8 month program from Everest and then moving to California, but i am now reading on this page that Everest is not a good school to go to for Billing and Coding. Can someone please advise me on why i shouldn't go too this school and if someone knows of another school for Billing and Coding in Az?

Thank you

Sunshine, are you still there?

Kelly - confused student in Georgia said: Sunshine, are you still there?[/QU

I am here now

Did you ever get any more of your questions answered about Medical Coding training?

No not yet. Thank you for asking

Michael in San Pedro, California said: You want to make sure the school you attend offers A Certification
Review Program. This comes after the core program and is designed to get you AHIMA or AAPC Certification. Most Hospitals ask for AHIMA certification.

There is a big difference between BILLING and CODING! Schools like Everest, UEI, KAPLAN, say they offer Billing and Coding but the coding they teach you is minimal and not designed to get you certified. A Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) in California can make $18.00 - $24.00 an hour. If you need more info let me know. I know of 2-3 schools that offer the full training including Certification Review. My e-mail is: mike@sticcc.com

Mike, do you think Heald College is a good college to go to for the billing and coding program?

Hi. I'm thinking about going into Medical billing and coding. Do anyone know if there is any good school in Norfolk, Virginia or Virginia beach, Virginia? Please let me know? Also, is Medical billing and coding hard? I have done some research and some people said it's easy. Some people said that it's hard. Can someone tell me? I would appreciate it a lot. The fact that I have been out of college for one year and so I am scare if I can make it through if I go back to school.

Hi. I am also looking for a certified medical billing and coding school here in Chicago. But it seems like the most popular they have here is Everest. They have it in some community college but the program is very basic. Can someone advise me a good school that offers job placement in the Chicago area? I would really appreciate any info. Thanks.

Hi, do you have a college degree ?

No. Just looking into going for a certification in Medical Billing and Coding.

I am myself a student of Medical Coding, currently working on my Medical Terminology pre course. The reason I ask about a degree is you might not be aware that coding in the near future is going to be changing a great deal. If you are not aware, as we go forward, your best shot at even trying to get your foot in the door in this field is with either a two year degree or a four year degree from an approved college offering either a RHIT two yr degree or RHIA four yr degree. Either one of these, plus trying to get certified in coding seems to be the future. If you want more info, just let me know.

Lia in Norfolk, Virginia said: Hi. I'm thinking about going into Medical billing and coding. Do anyone know if there is any good school in Norfolk, Virginia or Virginia beach, Virginia? Please let me know? Also, is Medical billing and coding hard? I have done some research and some people said it's easy. Some people said that it's hard. Can someone tell me? I would appreciate it a lot. The fact that I have been out of college for one year and so I am scare if I can make it through if I go back to school.

Hi Lia, I am currently a student in coding. It sounds to me like many of us, you might have been mislead about the big demand and great opportunities in this field. Some even say you can do this by taking some courses for 8 months or a year and just walk right in. This, I have found, is far from the real world. Let me know if you would like to know more.

Thanks for your quick reply. So will it be better to get an associates in HIT first then get certified in billing and coding? Or does an associates degree in HIT enough to get in the field? I'm sorry if I'm asking too many questions, I just started looking into this that's why i'm trying to get as much info as possible before I register and pick a school. Any info you could share will be very helpful. Thanks a lot!!!

Iv3Z, believe me, your questions are not a bother to me at all, ask all you like. I compliment on asking for more information before jumping into this field, basically you can't ask too many questions. I have been learning the hard way. Many people I have found are very, very mislead about Medical Coding. Better to ask now, than not and years down the road and thousands of dollars later, bump into some of the nightmares of people I have heard and read about trying to get into coding. Tell me this, do you think you would like to work in a hospital type setting or just in a Dr's office type of setting ?

Either way is ok with me. It's better to have options. But I would prefer working in a hospital type setting.

OK , this is what I have learned. Get your RHIT at least. YOu best bet is to go to the AHIMA.com website and look for an approved college in your area to get a two year HIT degree. This site is very informative on many topics. Also look into what it will take to get certified by the AHIMA as a CCP, and eventually a CCS. Please remember, these are not a guarantee you will get a position in this field. If I am lucky and everything works out, I have already beem told I am at least four years away from having a real position and making any real money here. BUT, with an RHIT and eventually a CCS, you have a very, very strong package to offer an employer. You don't always need both, but as hard as it is to even get a foot in the door in coding, and all the competition out there, both can't hurt. To work in a hospital, I am told they really prefer the CCS certificate.

To Kelly,

Thanks for the information. I would love to hear more information about medical billing and coding from you. I need all the info I can get. Like you said, some people said that it's easy and some people said that it's hard. I guess it is just in their views. However, some school does offer 8 months program for medical billing and coding but then it seems like that won't do anything good especially in this competitive world we live in. Since your going to school now would you please give me more information. I am interested in medical billing and coding but am not sure if I can do it. Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks.

Michael in San Pedro, California said: You want to make sure the school you attend offers A Certification
Review Program. This comes after the core program and is designed to get you AHIMA or AAPC Certification. Most Hospitals ask for AHIMA certification.

There is a big difference between BILLING and CODING! Schools like Everest, UEI, KAPLAN, say they offer Billing and Coding but the coding they teach you is minimal and not designed to get you certified. A Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) in California can make $18.00 - $24.00 an hour. If you need more info let me know. I know of 2-3 schools that offer the full training including Certification Review. My e-mail is: mike@sticcc.com

Hi Michael,

Your information is very helpful. So is it better to for a two year degree to become a medical biller and coder? Or which one is better? Medical coder or medical biller? I'm thinking about going into this field but I think I have been mislead about this carreer. Any information you got for me will be helpful. Thanks.

Kelly - student in Georgia said: OK , this is what I have learned. Get your RHIT at least. YOu best bet is to go to the AHIMA.com website and look for an approved college in your area to get a two year HIT degree. This site is very informative on many topics. Also look into what it will take to get certified by the AHIMA as a CCP, and eventually a CCS. Please remember, these are not a guarantee you will get a position in this field. If I am lucky and everything works out, I have already beem told I am at least four years away from having a real position and making any real money here. BUT, with an RHIT and eventually a CCS, you have a very, very strong package to offer an employer. You don't always need both, but as hard as it is to even get a foot in the door in coding, and all the competition out there, both can't hurt. To work in a hospital, I am told they really prefer the CCS certificate.

Hi Kelly,

So do you think medical billing and coding is harder or medical office administration? Or are they kind of the same? Sorry if I have too much questions. It's just that I might have to pay for my school out of my own pocket so I want as much info as possible. Also, there are so many ads about medical billing and coding so is there really a big demand for this position? Also, do you know anything about medical administration. Is there a big demand for that too?

Hello again Lia, hope you are having a great day ! Your questions? Not a problem at all. It is very important right now that you ask as many questions as you can think of and would like to know about, BEFORE you jump into this. In fact, if you would like either give me your email address so we don't take up space on this particular forum or I will give you mine.

Lia,, like Michael just said,,, there is a BIG difference in being a Certified Professional Coder and studying medical billing and coding. Two different worlds. So do not be mislead by advertisements about how quick and easy you can do it.

Lia, let me share this with you. I don't know, but it sounds like you might have been mislead about the field of Medical Coding. Hard and easy are relative terms of expression. Naturally, what may be hard for some, might be easy for others. Depends on your background. Example,,,, if you were a brain in high school or college in chemistry, biology, algebra,, etc,, and considered going to med school, pharmacy, whatever,,,, this might not be as difficult for you verses someone like me who was not one of those brains in school, have no experience in medical health care, etc.
Anyone who has told you this is FUN and EASY,,,, I would love to chat with and let them tell me what as I missing here.

As you know, I am a student myself. Still learning and asking questions almost every day. I will be glad to help you in any way and if I don't know an answer to a question,, will try to point you in the right direction for correct and straight answers. One thing I do know for certain at this point is that I have not yet found anything or any area of Medical Coding "fun and or easy" .
I did have an advanced student tell me he "enjoyed and liked it" because he was now actually doing some coding practice excercises and it was like trying to solve puzzels. But let me assure you, this is difficult and very serious field in Medical Coding. From what I have learned and the few coders I have been able to talk to, these people are very serious and professional people.

Lia,, once again,, I hate to cast doubt on these schools or what ever that talk about this being an 8 month, or quick and easy entry into the medical billing and coding field. I dare not cast the first stone and call these people lyers,,, but so far, I just don't see it, especially the "work from home in a few months and make $40,000 " type of ads. I am not calling them lyers at this point, but I see no way possible, NO WAY. Example: if you decide to go to college for a two year associate RHIT,,, peoples medical records is serious and legal business. Before you can even ENTER the programs of study, you will be subjected to background checks, criminal background checks, prior arrests, dui or dwi's, drug screening and tests,,, in most states,, BEFORE YOU EVEN START !

Give this some thought : As a professional medical coder, after a Doctor sees a patient, you are given their chart and records. All you have is the DR's notes, possible diagnosis, any and all background conditions that may affect the condition, and tests done, presriptions, and on and on . From that information, you as a professional coder, must assign the proper code for each and everything the Dr has done in unreal detail, we are talking millions of coding decisions here, and YOU AND ONLY YOU as a professional coder apply these codes to make sure the Dr. gets paid properly AND LEGALLY from insurance, Medicare, etc,, AND YOU AND ONLY YOU have just assigned a code of diagnosis that becomes a permanant part of a persons medical records FOR LIFE. Now then,,,,
does that sound "fun and easy" ? You tell me .

Sooooo, YOU AND ONLY YOU make the decision on the exact and very detailed code or many, many codes of the patient. You submit the claim to insurance, Medicare, etc,,,,, if the code is off by even one single digit in the mind of insurance company, it is kicked back, and the Dr does not get paid, refile might take three months or more to get paid. If you are submitting wrong or impropper codes, when the audititors come in and find this out,, the Dr can face MAJOR fines, $150,000 or so ,, and even loose his or her license to even be a Dr. Now then,,,,,,,, sound "fun and easy" ?
Learn from home in only months to be a Medical Biller and Coder while working at home ? You tell me. Fun? Easy? Trust me Lia, this is very serious and legal work as you will learn if you continue in the Medical Coding field. Not being negative,,, just the facts Mam, just the facts.

Kelly - student in Georgia said: Hello again Lia, hope you are having a great day ! Your questions? Not a problem at all. It is very important right now that you ask as many questions as you can think of and would like to know about, BEFORE you jump into this. In fact, if you would like either give me your email address so we don't take up space on this particular forum or I will give you mine.

Hi kelly...my email is liathao24@hotmail.com

Renee in Elk Grove, California said: Mike, do you think Heald College is a good college to go to for the billing and coding program?

I'm taking medical billing and coding at Heald in Salinas Ca. It's a great school they go out of their way to make sure you succed.

There are good schools out there! Ask about their job placement rate and if they are heavy on the coding side. If they help you with certification (AHIMA AAPC). that is a big plus and means they do put emphasis on Coding.

Lia in Norfolk, Virginia said: Hi Michael,

Your information is very helpful. So is it better to for a two year degree to become a medical biller and coder? Or which one is better? Medical coder or medical biller? I'm thinking about going into this field but I think I have been mislead about this carreer. Any information you got for me will be helpful. Thanks.

Many schools say they offer "Billing and Coding" but the coding aspect of there program is short and not nearly enough to get you certified (Everest is a prime example). I am not aware of any billing certifications and would concentrate on learning both with an emphasis on coding. The pay scale is much different.

The training that exists for Billers/Coders has evolved a great deal. In the past, If you did not work for three years in the field, it was not advisable to sit for the AHIMA/AAPC Certification Exam. In large part this was due to the ever evolving industry standards and lack of coding specific training programs in the United States. Our program is coding specific and has an externship to hire component. We also have a 40 hour certification review program that most of our students take before they sit for the AHIMA exam. Any school that offers financial aid is required to place no less than 70% of their students into a job. Some within three months of graduation. A two year degree is not required but any degree is a plus on your resume. We have ex-students making $35.00 an hour who have no degree to speak of. Like most people tell you, the hardest part will be getting your foot in the door. Your certification (sometimes) is just enough to get your foot in the door. You still have to work hard and allow your career to blossom. The fact that you have the intelligence to ask these question lets me know you will do quite well. ANY SCHOOL you attend must have: Job Placement/Advanced Coding/Certification review/Financial Assistance. THIS can be done.

You can do it and be successful. I am on the front lines and working with a variety of companies who hire our students. There is no quick fix. CERTIFICATION specific programs are available.
We are in California so our program is out of the question but I am sure you have access to a variety of good programs.

KELLY suggested you go to the AHIMA website and look for schools that meet your requirement. Kelly is right and that should be your next step. GO GO GO! You will evntually be glad you did this.

Michael, I would like to say THANK YOU for your honesty here. There is so much hype and misleading information going around in this field right now, it is just unreal. Just for laughs today, I went to an online school site from a recent advertisement. Amazing,
five or six different courses of study, including all of Med Term, Anat & Phys, coding basics, legal matters, actual coding books, on and on ,, learn it all , in as little as four months,, and step in the rewarding health care field. Oh, and demand for jobs is unreal and going up some 35%. These poor prospective students have no idea what they are stepping in. Shameful.

No matter what we do to prepare our students for success, it is up to them to turn their dreams into reality. Billing and Coding is a great field but to many people are induced to believe that their success is predicated on them just showing up for class.

To many schools have admissions departments that operate utilizing a quota sytem. Quota sytems lead to gamesmenship and deceptive business practices. That is one of the primary reasons so many people are missinformed. Quota's put employee needs ahead of the needs of the student. Many Government run programs use quota's as a means to ensure employee productivity (how are they doing?).

I hope we helped her. My last name is Kelly ,Kelly. If we got married you would be Kelly Kelly. Awsome!

Michael,, by the way , I am a male also, last name Kelly,, but I do have a married female friend,,, her name? Kelly Kelly !

You sound like you are involved in education. I would appreciate your honest thoughts. I am still studying my Medical Terminology, but with each and every day, I am beginning to feel more and more like, I am kidding myself, and wasting my time. No one around here will give me a straight answer, probably because it might offend me or whatever. Hey look, I am over the offend me deal, just tell me something. You are in Calif and I am in Ga, mabey you'll help.

Not being negative, just real! I am a male, I am 56, I have zero experience in health care, the cards are stacking up. It is, what it is. I have already been told honestly by a local coder with 25 years experience, my joking about not being the cute bubbly blonde answering the phone at the front desk would make getting "in the door" harder. She said, actually Kelly, that is a smart observation. Being a 56 yr old male, I would no doubt, not fit in the normal "office click", which I knew, naking it even harder if not honestly impossible to find a local starting office job with a Doctor.

There is some job demand, not a lot, for the future according to the govt. Most all of that however they feel will be in the priviate practices of Doctors, etc. Very little growth is expected in the hospital setting, which is naturally where I would have better luck. Thats already two cards stacked up against me.

After hearing hundreds of people over the last weeks in different forums, blogs saying they can't find a job,,, no experience and can't get hired to get any? Some have looked for a year or two.
Thursday, it finally hit me. Once again , the condition of the economy is raising its ugly head. Very few are hiring, experience is being used as an excuse, but let's also be real here. THEY CAN'T HIRE YOU , even to learn, THEY DON'T HAVE THE BUDGET OR THE MONEY. Human resources is not going to tell you they can't hire you because they are scared of the economy, so they use experience.
This is causing more confusion in the field, people are going back to school for more credentials, only raising the bar for everyone else in the long run and the number of people trying to get in is growing and backing up to a log jam. In two years if I am ready to enter the field, there will be thousands out there with or ahead of me. There is no doubt about this in my mind. A major log jam of people.

There is a difference in being negative, and being realistic. Not being a young person, I only have so much time to waste. I am not planning on retiring early, but like a local Dr's wife told me yesterday. How many people are going to hire a 60 year old man for this position.

The cards are stcking up quickly. I am learning, not as fast as a 23 year old mind as you well know, but I am getting better.

Michael, be honest with me. I know I am at least two or three years from approching a position. Don't give me the "you can do anything you set your mind to" , I am over all the stuff.

Am I kidding myself ? Am I really just wasting my time ?

I am a sports fan. I have seen Tiger Woods make up five strokes in the final holes of the final round to win the tournament. I have seen many a college football team come storming back late in the fourth quarter,, to win the game.

You know, in baseball, they say "three strikes and you are OUT"
I am just beginning this journey, a long, long way to go.
It appears already , at just the beginning, I am already looking at two and half stikes against me.

Education, Computer Technology, and Healthcare are the three industries still experiencing job growth.

In Los Angeles, there is a Hospial or Medical Clinic every 300 yards. Your job prospects might be limited by the amount of Hospitals and Medical Facilities in your area. You need to take this into consideration. Are you willing to relocate? You WILL NOT come out of school and be able to work from home. Everybody I know who works from home has at least 5 years of experience, multiple certifcations, and a strong reference base.

Every career transition comes with obsticles and potential setbacks. In your case, it is your age. This can also be a selling point if translated correctly.
It is quite easy for me to get one of our students in front of an employer. It is the preparation before-hand that procures employment. Here is al list of suggestions:

Contact the volunteer service department of every hospital in your area.
Render your services for free for one month in esxchange for work experience.
Post your resume on every job posting board.
Learn how to develop strategic alliances and partnerships on facebook and myspace (form a group).
Practice your INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES.
Get objective opinions about your resume.
Register with multiple employment agencies.
Become a member of AHIMA and AAPC.
Get your Certification.
Take any job that will eventually enable you to showcase your skills.
Seek positive reinforcement.

Posting board forums can be quite depressing at times.I know from 20+ years of experience that the people who sacrifice the least are often the ones who complain the most. I also know what is out there and what can accomplished with maximum effort and the right support structure.
You are 60! It takes 3+ Certified years to develop the skills necessary to be in high demand. What do the job prospects look like in your are (very important)? What type of training is available in your area? What is their verifiable job placement rate?

Tita in Cypress, California said: I am considering taking the course for Medical Billing and Coding. Is the class dificult? I have been working on my terminology before
I start school but I have been a bit indecisive as far as going into Medical Administration or Medical Billing/coding. I already have 5 years of Administrative Assistant behind me and am hoping with this class it will put me in a medical office.[/QUOTEDo

Do you have 5 years of Medical Administrative experience?

Michael, thanks for you insight. I am only 56 now, but figure if all goes well, I will be near 60 when I am really qualified. I have been a member of AAPC since April, I am doing my online studies through them. Great organization, fine people, good local chapter, but, I feel this group is more for the "seasoned" coder with experience. Their main mission to me seems to convince people already coding to join their group, get a CPC , and raise the standards of the industry. Not so much to "raise" infants like myself. Just my own feeling, not theirs. Example: I get their Coding Edge magazine monthly but I am so new, 90% of it makes no sense to me.

Actually, with all the emphasis I am hearing lately on RHIT, the CPC or CCP is sort of on the back burner. For hospital work, sounds like a AHIMA and CCS is also the route to go, instead of CPC and AAPC. But for now, I am investigating the going back to college for two years for the RHIT .
We have 5 "large" hospitals in my area. Not planning on working from home anytime soon. Relocation? Not sure, been there, done that. Spent over 15 years in womens clothing business and have either lived or traveled from Texas to Ga, and from Fla to Ky. My home is paid for and I have great land around me. Cost of living here is great. Just moving two hours north to Atlanta, clost of living is so different. If I am making 30 here, if I made 40 there I would be loosing money !

Michael Career Training in Los Angeles, California said: You can do it and be successful. I am on the front lines and working with a variety of companies who hire our students. There is no quick fix. CERTIFICATION specific programs are available.
We are in California so our program is out of the question but I am sure you have access to a variety of good programs.

KELLY suggested you go to the AHIMA website and look for schools that meet your requirement. Kelly is right and that should be your next step. GO GO GO! You will evntually be glad you did this.

Michael, you really seem like the expert here, I searched on the AHIMA website for schools with the AHIMA Approved Coding Certificate Program in CA and it gave me 4 schools: CODEMED School of Professional Medical Coding, Ladera Career Paths Training Center, Loma Linda Univ, and Santa Barbara City College. Is this site telling me that these are the only schools in CA that will prepare you for certification and a good job, a career, in medical coding/billing? Am I reading this right? All those schools out there, Everest, Concorde, etc, that offer 7 or 8 month courses of study including a one-month externship, they aren't going to get you qualified to be hired and to take the certification exam? I know someone who's going to start at Concorde at the end of the month, is she wasting her time? Going to the wrong school? Are they deceiving her about what she will be qualified for? I am looking to get into something with a good future and good income, she told me about medical coding/billing and it sounded great. 8 months training and a start on a great career. I am 51, no time waste on the next racket. I thought this would be fantastic, I am looking to get some govt. funding to pay for re-training. (My industry, the mortgage industry, is no more. Time to move on.) Now I am really confused and I don't want to make a mistake. Is medical coding/billing only for real if you go to these schools?