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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsAny medical coders here?
Or know of anyone who is a medical coder?
Where and how long did you train for it? Do you like your job? What's it like? I'm currently studying at home to be one. It's hard work, but I like it. Lots of stuff to learn about medical language anatomy, etc.
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Hayabusa
(2,149 posts)I have been a certified coder for the past 6 years, however, I have been coding/billing for the past 12-13 years. I was lucky to be in a job that basically trained me somewhat on billing for the Department of Mental Health, which in turn helped me learn coding.
I then took a job with the University of Mo. in which required me to become a certified coder. They sent me to a "boot camp" for coders to prepare for the certification test. The boot camp is basically a week long, 8 hour a day, class that teaches you how to code and how to prepare for the certification test which is a 5 hour test. It is an open book test in which you may use the CPT book (procedure codes), ICD-9 (diagnosis book) and the HICPS book. It is a very intense test and I have to admit, I was completely drained when I walked out, but I passed.
You can also prepare by going on-line and researching questions for the certification tests. There are some websites out there to help (can't think of the names right now, but I am sure you can find them).
I love what I do. I personally am responsible for coding and billing outpatient Cardiology, Gastroenterology and Nephrology. I have also billed EKG's, colonoscopies, EGD's and ER services.
Our system works that the doctor will dictate a note that comes into our electronic Powerchart system which in turn feeds into our Code Ryte billing system. We go in that system and review the note and review what codes the code ryte system assigned and we either agree and release to be billed or we change the codes (level of service and diagnosis codes) and then release for a bill to be extracted.
Like I said, I love what I do and I hope this helps you and you in turn decide to stick with this and become a certified coder. The money helps too!!
She wanted me to add that in our area, Adult Education provides classes in how to become a certified coder.
dawg
(10,777 posts)The key is to always use the code that gets the most money.
Always.
Make sure you use the one that says "with complications".
Scuba
(53,475 posts)... be exposed by Medicare auditors.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)... and I see more and more coding being done by the IT systems based on MD's documentation. The natural consequence will be less need for coders over time.
So, if you're under 40 years old, I would NOT recommend coding as a job if you plan to do it for a lifetime. That said, it may be too boring for anyone to do for a lifetime anyway.
But if your intent is to do coding for perhaps a decade, it's a decent job.
The natural consequence will be less need for coders over time.
Great.
MuttLikeMe
(279 posts)I look at them all the time online, there seems to be more vacancies than actual folks to fill the jobs. So it doesn't look like IT is taking the place of anything. I'm not trying to disagree with you, I'm just saying.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)MuttLikeMe
(279 posts)I really don't think that's anything that's going to go away anytime soon.
As long as there are hospitals - there will be medical coders.
Hayabusa
(2,149 posts)While it is true that coding is going more electronic than manual, there will always be a need for coders. Programs like Code Ryte work on word recognition. For instance, if the patient has a past history of hypothyroidism, sinus infections, migraines, and kidney transplant and the doctor list those, code ryte will automatically pick up those words and code that as the reason the patient is coming in for the visit when in truth, down the note a bit he list patient comes in today for his high blood pressure or palpitations. I have seen the program code a patient had a fall, when in truth, the doctor says symptoms began in the fall (Autumn). Therefore, that note would be coded incorrectly and the insurance might reject payment. Coding programs are just that, programs and we all know machines are not perfect, (hence the need for the IT person, but then again, maybe they will just make machines to do that job too)!
Coding for some is boring yes, but to me, so is working on computers all day. For that matter, any job is boring for those that don't want to do it and find it challenging.
As far as jobs for coders, our department is the ONLY department that is actually expanding and growing, while other departments are cutting back and not filling empty positions.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)... their systems and eliminate problems like the one you described. Sooner or later, the physicians will be doing the "coding". There's too much money at stake.
Doctors, according to my mother, don't really want to do the coding. They don't fully understand the rules and regulations (and they change constantly). They want to treat the patients and leave the billing to someone else. My mother corresponds with the University doctors weekly and there are times when her and other coders pay visits to the doctors and tell them how they're doing on the documentation in their notes.
And it is true that hospitals pay the coders a lot of money, however, the coders bring in a lot of money. During the economic downturn, the majority of the University system had a hiring and raise freeze except for the coding department, because they were bringing in the money.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)Take a look at the Zynx system (often integrated into Cerner) for an example of how this is happening in emergency departments today.
I spent 30 years listening to hospital CFO's and CEO's clamoring for this stuff. It will happen.
Hayabusa
(2,149 posts)But I believe that there will always be a place for human coders, and thus, jobs in that field. It may not be as many as there are today, but I believe that there will be jobs. Also, insurance rules and regulations change frequently, and I doubt that a program can be updated as often and cheaply, really, as a human coder can learn the changes.
MuttLikeMe
(279 posts)and there are still coders around, then.... somebody's just talking.
just saying...
HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)It's an insurance racket and anyone in the medical industry knows that.
MuttLikeMe
(279 posts)it does serve the insurance industry.
That's why it's not going anywhere (at least unless single payer is established)
HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)rug
(82,333 posts)
HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)I do remember that they were rather convoluted and often seemed redundant. But that was 20 years or so ago.
cynatnite
(31,011 posts)We learned ICD-9. They are supposed to be changing to ICD-10 soon. I hope that's what you are learning as well. Otherwise, it might be a waste of money. The ICD-10 is nowhere similar to ICD-9.
DearHeart
(692 posts)Medical coding is expected to grow, not decline with IT changes. The aging population is supposed to be reason for the increase. It's a little hard breaking into hospitals without any experience or without a very good network contact. I wish you very Good luck in your studies and I hope you find a great job! 
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm
grasswire
(50,130 posts)Response to MuttLikeMe (Original post)
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