day-to-day for coders

I've been looking into coding as a profession, but I've always been warned that I can't just sit in my little closet coding all day (a damn shame, I know).

What are other duties coders end up having around the office or hospital they're employed at?

I am really new to this field ...still in training but i have worked at this facility for 3 years and the coder did nothing but code...she had a very cushy job...they have added me to the department now and added a task to our job description. We will do the appeals if and when necessary , based on any claim rejected due to a coding issue.

But, I can only speak for our facility - which happens to be a wonderful place to work . I have heard that other places put quotas on their people that they have to do each day ...Hope that helps !

Really? Wow. And training? How does that go for coders? No one's ever really mentioned being a coder-in-training to me before.

That really does help, thanks. :)

There is another forum on here that coders have been active with ... I had said there that I started in the medical records dept filing ...moved up from there to where I am now...ONce you get "in" to a place there are a lot of options and growth...when they know you are serious and want to learn you will be given the opportunity..the key is being willing to start at the bottom if necessary ... once you are in the door there will be lots of opportunities...

Yeah, I've heard that a lot that coders fresh out of school have to start low and prove their worth to their employers before they're placed in the coding department.

Is your coding electronic? What software is used? My teacher's been emphasizing that paper is really being shunted out of the coding profession lately, as electronic is faster.

Right now we still code on paper - and enter charges into the computer system...we are in the process of going paperless - but that will not phase us out ... they still need us to read the op report and do the coding ...alot of the info may be electronic but they still need us .. if coders are phased out I think it will be long after we are ready to quit working ...in other words a very long time !

D. Thomas said: Really? Wow. And training? How does that go for coders? No one's ever really mentioned being a coder-in-training to me before.

That really does help, thanks. :)

yes i am in school i am al most finsh i have done coding years ago i work in a hospital in HIM DEPT BUT I DO MY SCHOOL AT HOME I CAN I GET ON LINE TRANING LIKE ON THE JOB SO I CAN GET USE TO THE 3M SOFT W.

I am thinking of getting into the medical billing profession. Any ideas, is this something that one could eventually do from home. I have alot of accounting experience, how will this benefit any future schooling, How much does the average medical coder/biller make per hour? Any help would be appreciated!!

THaver in Twin Falls, Idaho said: I am thinking of getting into the medical billing profession. Any ideas, is this something that one could eventually do from home. I have alot of accounting experience, how will this benefit any future schooling, How much does the average medical coder/biller make per hour? Any help would be appreciated!!

This is the most aggravating, frustrating & stressful, but most interesting job I've ever had.

You want what a lot of people want: coding from home. It takes a LOT to get a home job as a coder, and some places make you take a very difficult test in order to get there.

I've done coding from home & it's lonely. There aren't others to bounce ideas off with. On the other hand, you also don't have the drama from competing with other coders, and you don't have the colds & sicknesses that everyone just loves to share.

Hm. Average coder salaray. That's a toughie because it largely depends on your area, type of coding area (hospital vs. doctor's office vs. surgeon's office vs. medical billing office).

I'll tell you that salary increases with experience. Learn everything you can.

Especially learn about OIG Fed. Register, NCCI Edits, NCCI Edits Overview, CMS NCD, Medicare LCDs, payer policies.

Keep your skills up by reading ICD-9 & learning what the diagnoses mean. Have you read the Guidelines? You should.

Get the CPT book & start looking up the procedures. Doctors don't talk like what we read in the book. What do those procedures mean, anyway?

Learn...learn...& keep learning. I'd pick a new kid on the block who was trying to learn something over the new kid on the block who thinks that just because they passed an exam they know something.

The more you know, the more you realize - man, there's just so much more to learn!! Good luck!

D. Thomas said: I've been looking into coding as a profession, but I've always been warned that I can't just sit in my little closet coding all day (a damn shame, I know).

What are other duties coders end up having around the office or hospital they're employed at?

You can write articles (and get paid for it!) for national magazines, you can do audio-seminars,you can become a national speaker at some of those conferences, you can become a lead coder, teaching others about coding certain procedures, you can audit cases, you can shadow the surgeons & watch the procedures so you can code them out better, you can teach doctors about documentation & help them help you bring in the money by coding correctly...you can help the people who handle the contracting by looking at the codes the insurers want to pay for, you can be a biller/coder where you not only code, but you do the billing & followup...

Gosh, the list just goes on & on & on.

I'm a coder for an occupational health clinic and it is challenging. I deal with workers comp, so there's a lot to look at starting there. I deal with reviewing records, charge entry, looking at formularies, checking diagnosis codes, communicating with the clinics I code for to make sure documentation is sent to me, and other detailed things. A lot of E&M, 10000 and 20000 series codes. Have to know your wound closure and burn codes as well as fracture codes. I charge for supplies and I know a thing or to about splinting and strapping. I love what I do. I love it so much that I teach at an institute on a prn basis. YEAH!!!

@Elle and Others: "Learn...learn...& keep learning. I'd pick a new kid on the block who was trying to learn something over the new kid on the block who thinks that just because they passed an exam they know something."

I think you have it wrong on this. I'm not looking to start at the top, just because I got my certification. But there is definitely a problem with a occupation when you take the training
to do the job, and then the companies all post 2 years experience. I'm sorry but I didn't go to school to be a file clerk. I could do that without a H.S. Diploma.
Examples: Doctor just out of school, but all the hospitals are looking for 2 years experience; So is he suppose to take a job answering phones?
Or a Teacher just out of school, and again all the schools want 2 years experience, is she suppose to be the office secretary?
The truth is these professions, and others don't have this problem. Why because there is demand, and the training is considered to be adequate to perform the job.
So what does this say about certifications for Medical Coding, that companies DO NOT consider being certified adequate training to do the job.
If you ask me if companies have this little faith in the certifications then why not change the exams, and the curriculum so that once you are certified they are not worried that you are not trained enough to do the job? Because the 2 + years experience shows they don't believe in the certifications.

Sorry but it makes me angry when you go to school & get Certified, then someone says that you got to start off in a different profession hoping that one day they will hire you to do coding bullsh*t.

Now, your comments makes me not to take the exam anymore, its discouraging

Ella in Moreno Valley, California said: Now, your comments makes me not to take the exam anymore, its discouraging

Please sit for the exam, get all the education you can, my advise( I have been there) is get your Associates degree, sit for your RHIT exam, and alot of hospitals /clinics/ dr offices will hire you right away because there is a shortage of qualified individuals. Alot of facilities are only hiring RHIT graduates, so study! I am in the cancer registry field, previously was a clerical worker while in school, upon graduation hired in coding, moved to the cancer registry. The cancer registry is changing its qualfications to sit for the exam, so that is another option-don't give up !

what is RHIT exam, im not sure if there's a school that offer in our area can i get it on line

The RHIT exam is a certification after completing a course in Health Information Management, usually given thru community colleges, but if you go on AHIMA web site you can get more information.

Is it possible for a medical assistant to get a job coding before they get certified or do they have to take a coding course?

Do employers honor certification for coding from online schools? What is the best and quickest way to be qualified for a coding position?

One thing to remember is an on campus RHIT program will have clinical practice, and that counts towards that experience. Start out with your associates then get a CCS too. That's a great combo for a career coder. Also, look into Health care IT when thinking about future courses. That is the direction the field is going so hop on the boat. Also don't just think about physicians and hospitals. Think about prisons and mental care facilities, drug rehabs and long-term care facilities. You can also do contract work for home health, industrial on-site clinics, and anyone else with just a small coding workload. There is also consulting and contract companies that do travel. Insurance and RACs also hire good coders. The easiest places to get hired at as a newbie will be the county hospitals, long-term care facilities, etc. And while you may be stuck abstracting, coding ERs and clinic visits, even most hosptals wouldn't put you as a clerk, but just a lower level coder. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Interested in the Him field and would like any information.

i am going for an AA in medical coding. I am scared...i recently heard that they maybe phasing out. IS THIS TRUE???

Why would they? Even if they have an full EHR, voice recognition for transcription, AND have software that encodes the record, computers are not enfoulable and the whole thing must be monitored by professionals with the education and experience to handle it.

Hi, take a look at this post. Looks like plenty of work in the future. medicalcodingstrategy.com/?p=79

on 4/11/09 i am going to take my test for cpc dose any one can tell me what to look for an did you pass on the frist time

Me too i'm interested in medical biling and coding, it is tru that maybe phasing out?

From what I've heard, especially with all the CMS auditing work around, they want RN's that have coding certification. I'm looking into getting coding certification, and can't get the auditing work without the coding certification.

The term "coder" is a very broad term so you will not find a proper answer for salaries and duties.

A coder might be someone who does nothing but coding. That coder might be trained on the job, in a classroom, have a certificate, have a 2 year degree, a 4 year degree or no eduaction.

Generally speaking:
Uncertified coders without any college education earn the least, as little as $25k more or less depending on location.

A coder with a certification and some college education might make $30-$35 depending on experience and location. A coder with a CCS certification can ear more.

A coder who has a 2 year degree in HIM (Register Health Care Technician) might make $45-$50k, depending on experience an setting. RHITs also perfrom many other duties besides coding which makes them more valuable to employeers. A RHIT can also gain addition certification (CSS) that increase their income level some. It's not uncommon for a RHIT with experience to reach $60k in some places.

Registered Health Information Administrators are basically the 4 year degree versions of RHITs. They focus more on management. A RHIA can easily pull in $80k per year.

I should add, that where I work (mostly hospital setting) they almost exclusively hire RHITs for coding functions. I'm not entirely sure why but here they don't have many coders without at RHIT.

You will find that some places prefer RHITs, others a CCS and still others who prefer AAPC certifications. However, many places will consider other certifications.

mike in Minneapolis, Minnesota said: I should add, that where I work (mostly hospital setting) they almost exclusively hire RHITs for coding functions. I'm not entirely sure why but here they don't have many coders without at RHIT.

You will find that some places prefer RHITs, others a CCS and still others who prefer AAPC certifications. However, many places will consider other certifications.

Thanks for the info - it's a little overwhelming with all the different certifications! I was told that CCS is the gold standard - maybe as far as the RAC audits go. I'd like to get something a little more versatile, so I could work with physician groups as well. Do you know many people that have just reviewed a book, and then took the exam (without a course)?

RN in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said: Thanks for the info - it's a little overwhelming with all the different certifications! I was told that CCS is the gold standard - maybe as far as the RAC audits go. I'd like to get something a little more versatile, so I could work with physician groups as well. Do you know many people that have just reviewed a book, and then took the exam (without a course)?

Yes, CCS is the Gold Standard for Coding or if you are doing RAC audits. If you are a nurse, the quickest road to a job doing RAC audits is the CCS certification. It is the quickest but also the most difficult because you have to self study for it and probably don't have coding experience and the exam is intended for those with a few years of experience. That's not to say you can't pass it, RNs do pass it, but it is difficult. It's even more difficult for someone with no coding experience or medical background, I would think the failure rate among non-medical/non-coding folks is extremely high.

For someone without a medical background, I would highly recommend taking the CCA course first and getting your certification and then work in the field for a few years before sitting for the CCS. Some people who excel can go right from CCA to CCS with good studying between exams.

For RHITs, the CCS credential is optional, you will not have any trouble finding jobs or being qualified for any coding job (based on your experience). RHITs get pretty extensive formal training in CPT, HCPCs and ICD-9/10.

Basically, they are just different paths to the same end. CCS and RHIT are basically on the same level as far as coding ability given the same experience. RHITs also can work for insurance companies, cancer registries,all coding settings, data analysts, auditing, and a lot of other positions. CCSs have more limited number of positions.

It just depends on your starting point.

For an RN CCS is the best starting point because you would be 100% qualified for any coding job or auditing job given the nursing background and the CCS certification.

RHIT is ideal for someone who is interested in coding but also in all the other aspects of HIM. An RN or Medical Lab Tech can transfer in credits and do very well in these programs. It's also a great option for non-medical people willing/able to go to school.

CCA is best for non-medical people without a degree. It's a great primer for coding and stepping stone to a CCS.

mike in Hutchinson, Minnesota said: For an RN CCS is the best starting point because you would be 100% qualified for any coding job or auditing job given the nursing background and the CCS certification.

RHIT is ideal for someone who is interested in coding but also in all the other aspects of HIM. An RN or Medical Lab Tech can transfer in credits and do very well in these programs. It's also a great option for non-medical people willing/able to go to school.

CCA is best for non-medical people without a degree. It's a great primer for coding and stepping stone to a CCS.

Thanks! So if I was interested in doing this for MD practices, would the CCS still be my best option? or CCA? It sounds like they cover all the same areas maybe.

CCA is a basic credential,it is normally a steping stone to getting a CCS. It is very generalize, but basic. CCS is specialized in Hospital based coding, which is where most RNs endup working as Nurse Auditors. If you plan to work in a a physician's offics a CCS-P certification is what you want.

If you can pass the CCS you would have a basic working knowledge in physician based coding (in clinics) and a specialty in Hospital based coding. If you have a CCS-P you have a basic knowledge of hostpital based coding and a specialty in clinic based coding. A CCA means you have basic understanding of both types of coding.

CCS and CCS-P are Mastery level credentials meaning you should be very proficient.

mike in Minneapolis, Minnesota said: CCA is a basic credential,it is normally a steping stone to getting a CCS. It is very generalize, but basic. CCS is specialized in Hospital based coding, which is where most RNs endup working as Nurse Auditors. If you plan to work in a a physician's offics a CCS-P certification is what you want.

If you can pass the CCS you would have a basic working knowledge in physician based coding (in clinics) and a specialty in Hospital based coding. If you have a CCS-P you have a basic knowledge of hostpital based coding and a specialty in clinic based coding. A CCA means you have basic understanding of both types of coding.

CCS and CCS-P are Mastery level credentials meaning you should be very proficient.

Thank you so much. I'm now looking into a job where I would not need the certification, but I plan on still trying to get it, in case I need it in the future - who knows with this job market.

what is a typical day like as a coder?
How much of a job is billing and how much is coding?

How hard is it to get a job from home?

Do you think it's worth it??

I'm still trying to decide

Jan, I haven't heard of coders doing billing (unless it's for such a small facility that the two jobs are merged).

I was a coder for over 10 years by the time I found a home-based job, but everyone's experience is different. The hardest part is actually finding a home-based position for a good company; the rotten ones abound.

Yes, I do. I had enough experience that my employer didn't have to worry about training me beyond the first day or two. They value coder autonomy, which translates into better production numbers and better coding quality.

I am currently in school for Medical Billing and Coding. I would like to find someone to interview for my class project.

navyvet1@ptdprolog.net in Sparta, New Jersey said: I am currently in school for Medical Billing and Coding. I would like to find someone to interview for my class project.

you can email me if you would like

valentineletters@gmail.com

Marion in Rushville, Indiana said: Jan, I haven't heard of coders doing billing (unless it's for such a small facility that the two jobs are merged).

I was a coder for over 10 years by the time I found a home-based job, but everyone's experience is different. The hardest part is actually finding a home-based position for a good company; the rotten ones abound.

Yes, I do. I had enough experience that my employer didn't have to worry about training me beyond the first day or two. They value coder autonomy, which translates into better production numbers and better coding quality.

I want to get into a vocational school that teaches medical billing and coding. How long did you have to wait to get your job, how do you like it?

Marion in Rushville, Indiana said: Jan, I haven't heard of coders doing billing (unless it's for such a small facility that the two jobs are merged).

I was a coder for over 10 years by the time I found a home-based job, but everyone's experience is different. The hardest part is actually finding a home-based position for a good company; the rotten ones abound.

Yes, I do. I had enough experience that my employer didn't have to worry about training me beyond the first day or two. They value coder autonomy, which translates into better production numbers and better coding quality.

I want to get into a vocational school that teaches medical billing and coding. How long did you have to wait to get your job, how do you like it?

Jan in Tucson, Arizona said: I want to get into a vocational school that teaches medical billing and coding. How long did you have to wait to get your job, how do you like it?

This isn't really an answer to your question, but I am also going into a vocational diploma program "Medical Office Specialist", which translates into billing and a lot of coding. I plan to go for my CCA right away out of it and then 2 yrs down the road, the CCS.

I have a friend that works in administration at a local large hospital and says that coding is where it's at ($). :) Good luck and keep us posted!

I had to interview an employer and employee and both said there were no new hires in 12 months and did not get financial aid. Now I'm wondering if I take this course how long will it take to get hired?I don't live in a city.

jenniferjarzyna in Joliet, Illinois said: Interested in the Him field and would like any information.

Find a good online school, but I would not recommend Brookline.

dd

patricia white in El Paso, Texas said: yes i am in school i am al most finsh i have done coding years ago i work in a hospital in HIM DEPT BUT I DO MY SCHOOL AT HOME I CAN I GET ON LINE TRANING LIKE ON THE JOB SO I CAN GET USE TO THE 3M SOFT W.

Hi! I am taking coding classes online and i am having a hard time with it. I am looking for someone to help me or teach how to even get started on looking up codings on the book. I am willing to get a private tutor to help me out with this coding class. Taking online classes is a big mistake since you have to learn it on your own. Hope you could give me any suggestions or even help me out to find a tutor. Thanks

I am currently enrolled in a medical coding course through a great school. I have had my moments where I love it and moments where I do not and start thinking of quitting and enrolling in nursing school instead.

I would love to keep with the coding course, but I want to make sure that it is worth it. Can anyone give me an estimate of how much a CCS-certified coder makes just starting out.... in the New Jersey area. Also, should I be worried about outsourcing? I am a medical transcriptionist and I have already been through loosing work due to outsourcing. I do not want to invest my time into another career that will be gone as soon as I am entering.

Basically to summarize, I am looking for some salary insight for a new CCS inpatient coder, as well as salary for an outpatient coder, in New Jersey.

Thanks!

I'm just about to start me road to becoming a medical coder, and I was wondering what I could do right now on my free time to better prepare myself to get a job. Should I learn MUMPS coding?? Is there any book that I should pick up and memorize? I would love to be ahead of the game in this and not be caught off guard too much. Thanks for your help and valuable information.

New Class begins February 27, 2012!!! We have updated the website & classroom!! New Dedicated Student Access Center!! Train to become a certified medical biller or coder in 6 months!!! Visit the new website: sites.google.com/site/brookslegacycodingprep/

Hello

Hello,
I am trying to take the CPC Exam and I want to know if anybody has any advice or information that can help me pass this exam. Any information will be helpful. Thank you

Hi Michelle,

Specific guidelines are presented at the beginning of each of the sections, it's important to know,and the parenthetical notes because some codes can not be reported with other codes, you have to know what to abstract from the op report. Read the Introduction's in the CPT, ICD-9-CM books, become familiar of the lay out of your books so you don't waste time.leave notes in your books, highlight.. it's best to read the introduction again before test day. look above and below in the op report to code. keep focused on the test, look over the test and mark with a dot which ones are easy, 2 dots, 3 dots...learn to know what to look for fast to code, keep at a pace. it's best to code and code over and over again before the test so you gain speed and know what to look for.. it seems to me that the tests they offer are easy.. the test it's self has different verbiage..it may throw you off. any one else knows a way to get through this test, feel free to respond.