A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

At home coding - mt

Posted: Mar 29, 2014

Just wondering about the average pay for at home coders. Also, are part-time coding jobs available? What is the speed requirement? Thanks for any info.

coding pay - 16TRANSCRIBER

[ In Reply To ..]
My cousin's wife is an at-home coder. She told me she averages $40/hour. She is paid per completed coded chart, and she works for KIWI. You can Google that and find it. She has 7 years of experience.

They are actually called KIWI-TEK and I doubt she makes that much - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I worked there briefly and they were horrible. They were so disorganized and training was terrible. I was getting paid per chart, but when almost all of your charts are 40+ pages, you are barely making a decent wage. Pretty soon all at-home coding jobs will go the way of the MT - getting paid per chart which is awful and sitting around waiting for work. No thanks, going into something else.

Interesting, what certifications do you have? - And how much experience?

[ In Reply To ..]
Wondering if that was your first job. I see records longer than that all the time, but they don't bother me.

Was that your first job?

I have my CCS and I have 5 years of experience and it was not my first job - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Oh, well, then that isn't a good sign for Kiwi - Maybe a bad account (nm)

[ In Reply To ..]
No msg

coding pay - 16TRANSCRIBR

[ In Reply To ..]
She has been working there the last 2 years. Now, she told me this information the other day. She had told me before she got paid $7/coded chart. The $40/hour she said last week. I'm not saying this is correct, it is just what I was told. She says she loves them, and the job is very flexible. Funny how one can love a situation and another hate it. The conversation began when I was telling her I was afraid coding would go away like transcription, but she would hear none of it. Oh well, all I posted was what she relayed to me.

ORMT - Kimi

[ In Reply To ..]
Here at my hospital in Oregon there is a Coder II position available and the rate is 16.79 to 24.79 depending on experience.

Salary surveys - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
Both the AAPC and AHIMA conduct salary surveys every year.

See the link below for AAPC's.

There is no "speed requirement" like a typing speed because the work is not typing or data entry, so it can't be measured in those terms. It can't be broken into uniform bits like lines, so you can't count lines per hour. We don't have anything like "codes per hour."

Employers have productivity requirements, but they vary according to the type of work. Inpatient stays take longer than outpatient office visits, for instance. It won't help you to know what those are, at least not at this point.

Certification exams are timed. Part of the certification says you can code, but the rest of it says you can code at speeds a coder holding that certification should code at.

Part-time jobs are readily available. Many coders work a second job part time.

Remote jobs are very hard to get if you have no experience. The majority of contract companies serve clients like hospitals which are oriented toward AHIMA credentials. They often require an RHIA, RHIT, or CCS or two of them. I think Andrews grads have had success, however, in getting them, but they are unique in that they pass the CCS as well as the CPC. Other programs don't usually go that far; you can't expect that from a CPC course or one aimed at the CCA.

Thanks for your responses - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
Coding sounds a lot more difficult than MT. Anyone go from MT to coding and then regret leaving MT? Is coding very stressful? Do you get much feedback so you will know if your work is correct?

Transitioning - MT to Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
I did transition from MT to coding when transcription went to an outsourced model at the hospital I was working. Coding and transcription are 2 very different animals and it took a lot of work on my part to make the transition as smooth as it was. Coding has more pressure because correct coding is mandatory and the way something is coded impacts the reimbursement that is being brought in my the hospital. It is also much more analytic. Both Coding and MT are important, but very different functions and it is all a matter of personal preference on what one prefers. I personally prefer coding over transcription. If you have further questions about the transition, let me know and I can answer them for you.

coding - mt

[ In Reply To ..]
What type of training did you have for coding? How long did it take to feel comfortable in the job?

MT to Coding - Transitioning

[ In Reply To ..]
I have a 2 year AAS in Health Information Technology and hold the RHIT certification. I am a Coder I which is entry level and code clinic only. I actually just transitioned this past December of 2013, right before Christmastime so I have actually only been a coder for close to 4 months. I would not say I am totally comfortable, but I am certainly less overwhelmed than when I first started. I find coding fascinating work. Does this answer your question?

transition - mt

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes. Thanks very much for all the info.

I was lucky to be trained in hospital - for coding when I was an MT, but

[ In Reply To ..]
It was not a good fit for me. You have to be very decisive, I am not. I also realized that while I had a generalized knowledge of physiology/medical procedures/etc., you need a lot more exact knowledge for coding. I had intended on taking an anatomy and physiology course, but I ended up having a change of location and so then doing MT at home.

This being said, I have known MTs who could visualize procedures and correctly describe various physiologic terms, etc., much better than I ever could, so I am saying that I am much more of a gestalt type person and compartmentalizing everything like a computer was something that was interesting and stimulating, but also very challenging to the way my mind works.

My boss used to have us in a room and give verbal tests, throwing candy to whoever gave the correct answer. This just terrified me, I was never sure, but also made me determined to become more sure. However, I have yet to take that anatomy and physiology course - one day when I have some time I will, just for me.

So for my purposes MT is much better and also I like and excel at the physical fine motor skills involved in it, which I missed poring over files. However, perhaps coding is not such a dying field as ours.

thinking about coding - mt

[ In Reply To ..]
I guess MT is a dying field but I hope it doesn't completely die out. I'd like to hold onto my MT job as long as I can and possibly study coding. The ideal situation might be part-time MT/part-time coder. But I don't know if I am suited for coding and might put in lots of time and money studying it and find I can't do it or don't like it, but I guess that's the chance one takes when trying something new.

You could find out more about it. - That would be my suggestion

[ In Reply To ..]
I don't think you would be much interested in staying part time in MT. Coding pays a lot better. You will quickly lose interest in working for nothing.

I thought that too, but got over it in about a week. LOL!

transitioning - mt

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks for your reply. Someone above mentioned missing fine motor skill work. I'm kind of like that, too. But it is good to know that it's possible to adapt to coding in a week or a few months as someone said above. It sure would be nice not to have to worry about paying my bills!

You should be aware that - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
getting a coding job without experience is very difficult. This job is basically the one that brings in the money for hospitals/clinics, so they want someone who knows what they are doing. It took me a year to get my first job as a coder even with a CCS certification behind my name. I worked that first job as basically an assistant to the head coder and I did learn a lot. After a year of doing that, I got promoted to a coder. However, I got laid off 6 months later due to the hospital deciding to outsource their coding department. I have only 6 months experience and still cannot land a coding job. Just be aware that it isn't easy transitioning into coding without experience.

outsourcing coding - mt

[ In Reply To ..]
When you say outsourced the coding dept, do you mean to somewhere like MModal?

Yes - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

transitioning - mt

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks for the advice. I hope you find something soon.

Missing "fine motor skills" - MT2Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
What I get paid now more than makes up for any lack of "fine motor skills."

Maybe you can use the extra money to take up a hobby that uses them.

Maybe being trained in house was - not so lucky.

[ In Reply To ..]
I am sorry that your experience with coding was not very positive, but I think a lot of that was due to being trained in-house.

What you describe, with your program not including the background material in A&P, medical procedures, etc., didn't provide you with what you needed to feel comfortable coding. That is likely why you felt you weren't "decisive" enough. How could you be expected to make ANY decision without the appropriate information?

You also don't know if the coding training was adequate or appropriate, either. I have known many, many on-the-job trained coders who were taught poorly. They had a lot of trouble on certification exams, often failing repeatedly until giving up, and nearly all of them thought coding was real hard.

Just for your own self-esteem, I'll say that a boss who gets everybody in a room to quiz them in public, whether they throw candy or not, is inappropriate. That is actually abusive behavior disguised as "training." You felt terrified because that was the jerk's intent--that is a domination/humiliation game. I am sure of this because that kind of activity is strictly prohibited by my employer for that reason. Our union would flip out over it, too.

I think there is a good chance that your feelings about your ability to code were colored by the jerky boss and the poor training. Sad that you had to suffer it, but please recognize that it wasn't you. You were unlucky to have been subjected to this.

Similar Messages:

Dec 31, 2011

I have been an MT for the past 17 years; I have loved the job but this profession is really going down the tubes as far as pay and keeping up with the cost of living. I'm interested in coding and specifically Andrews school but I LOVE the flexibility of MT and working from home. What are the work-at-home options for coders? From what I have read here, the CCS is important. Any other helpful info would be appreciated. ...

Dec 10, 2010

I am an MT (15 years) but lost my job 8 months ago. I am looking into other possible jobs in the medical field. Can anyone suggest good schools for learning coding? Also how long would a course typically run and approximately how much would it cost for school? Would my MT experience benefit me? My last question is, once you have completed your education, do you run into problems then finding a job because you lack "work" experience and are these jobs typically done on the premises or can you wor ...

Jan 28, 2010

Hi Cj, Does your company offer health insurance for its employees that work from home? Also, I assume remote coders can live anywhere or do they need to be in the state the company is in? Thanks. ...

Jul 14, 2011

Thinking about doing med coding as IC from home. Can any help me understand what system I need to connect with the physicians pc? I know physician gives me pass word and I sign Business Agreement, but one company says the program also has to be installed into the physicians pc and that doesn't seem right. Any help out there? ...

Jul 03, 2010

Is it possible to finish a coding course and then start working from home? I don't want to work in house. ...

Jul 21, 2010

Hello, I am a MT and wanted to also do coding, could you please tell me how to search for jobs at home once I am done with school ?? Does anybody have a board for coder jobs thanks so much ...

Dec 29, 2012

...

Jan 18, 2015

Have just made the decision to go back to school (yet again) to get out of this hell hole of MT, even though I have been in QA for a few years. I plan on going to Andrews and testing for and getting as many credentials as I can that Andrews prepares you for right off the bat. I am so used to working from home and really enjoy it. When starting out, is a national, working from home, the best place to gain experience? I figure they would be more likely to hire "newbies"? If so, ...

Jan 27, 2010

Any info on the MT home course from At Home Professions? ...

Aug 13, 2013

Accepted a job, gave 2 weeks notice, and yesterday was my first day. I was to be helping out transcription (1000 jobs behind), and then sitting with billing and training with coding as their coder will be out on maternity leave in December. The office is adding another surgeon, and they are rapidly expanding. So I gave a proper 2 weeks' notice to my former employer (2 hours on the road there and back, low salary - now less than half distance and $3 more an hour) and starte ...

May 11, 2010

Is there really such a thing as an AA degree in coding? Sounds odd to me. Health administration or management, or RHIT I can see, but coding? Is it not better to just become Certified even if you dont have an AA degree? ...

Apr 10, 2012

Wondering if there are any coders out there who can give me an idea of the fate of coding due to the EMR. Are there still coding jobs out there? Would it be wise to attend school for coding at this point or do you think it will be lost to the EMR eventually? I live in a rural area and there are advertisements for registered/accredited coders at medical facilities, but I'm afraid of spending all that time and money on schooling only to not be able to find a job. Any information/insight w ...

Oct 07, 2013

I am thinking about changing from MT to coding. Are there many opportunities to work from home with coding? What would be a good school to attend? Thank you for the help. ...

Feb 26, 2014

My sister is taking an online coding course and complains that there is no real "teaching," that she's basically just doing the work in the work book and entering answers online, then taking an online chapter test. This makes me wonder about the necessity of signing up for an actual course. I would like to learn how to code, but to me, without any actual instruction, what's the purpose of signing up for one of these online courses? ...

Apr 15, 2014

Anyone know if MM has an age restriction on new coding students? ...

May 20, 2014

Thanks for your response. ...

Nov 16, 2010

take medication for depression/anxiety disorders? ...

Jun 13, 2011

I just did a report that outlined, in great detail, something that my dad went through several years ago. He died last year and I guess with father's day coming up I am just missing him a lot. I think that was the hardest report I have ever done! I stopped in the middle of it and just lifted that patient up in prayer and asked that his family not have to go through what mine did. I miss my dad!!!! I had to stop working a few minutes early because I just can't st ...

Feb 09, 2012

What do your QA people actually do? I have two jobs, as I've said before. Both outsource pieces of their work and at both I wonder just what it is that the QA people do? At both I really wonder how the MT even got their job at all but I really wonder what the QA people do! At the hospital, we send the op reports out, probably 60 a day. They get done by a company owned by the former Q but they claim they're done in America. Every day we come in to 50 of t ...

Nov 26, 2012

Has anyone been successful in finding a non-MT job that can be done from home with benefits? I'm at 14 years in MT, and just cannot do it anymore. My daughter was sick this weekend, but of course I can't afford to put her on my insurance with what they charge and what I'm making these days. This job has turned into a complete nightmare, really need to find something else to do. ...

Dec 01, 2009

Hello, Im just finishing up a medical transcription course/certification program with Allied schools, and I was wondering if there are any of you MT's working from home or are most of you working in a hospital? Also have any of you done the online certifications and if you did how did you get some experience under your belt to help you with the job? I was a veterinary technician for years, so I sort of knew what I was getting into, but it has turned out to be a little mo ...

Dec 07, 2009

Did anyone see the home makeover with Ty Pennington Sunday night? The makeover was for a medical transcriptionist. She got a gorgeous house and the bank paid off her mortgage! ...

Jan 21, 2010

when I started telecommuting full time.It finally penetrated my consciousness a couple of weeks ago that every year, when it came time to renew my auto insurance policy, I used to get a call from a local agent, and we'd go over the policy, making sure there were no changes. One of the questions was always how many miles did I drive to and from work each day, along with the current odometer reading, and the estimated number of miles driven each year.I haven't gotten one of those calls i ...

Feb 09, 2010

I totally miss getting a huge snowstorm (like today in my area, 10 to 14 inches) and being able to call in to work to say "I can't make it in today... the roads are horrible" I am trying hard to concentrate on work today, but all I want to do is call in to work, go outside and build a huge snowman, then shovel a little, and come in and make a huge mug of hot chocolate and watch it snow. LET IT SNOW!!!! ...

Mar 02, 2010

now is that I would really love to tell somebody off!! Yes, I know that may sound childish, but this company has put my stress level through the roof, my blood pressure through the roof, and their BS has me so pissed off, if I were in an office where they were I would find great satisfaction in letting them have it verbally, not in writing. Yes, I would be fired on the spot, but it would be so worth it. It's just not the same when they don't have to face someone in person.& ...

Mar 09, 2010

Everyone says "I would love to work from home". Working from home has been having negative effects on me. I've been doing this for 12 years. I never used to have anxiety or depression. Now, I do. This job is so isolating. I'm sick and tired of staying home in my PJs. I try to get out of the house as much as possible, but little trips to the grocery store is not cutting it. I get depressed staying home all the time. I lack a social l ...

Apr 16, 2010

I have finished my training, but I want to work from home. Will I have to work onsite first before applying with a company that hires MTs to work at home? ...

May 30, 2010

If at-home is really that bad, then is there a better school where I stand a better chance of getting hired after I'm done? Is there some kind of course I could take to get certified so as to fill in the blanks? to teach what at-home isn't? ...

Nov 01, 2010

Was laid off in April. Have a couple offers from transcription companies, and one from a clinic which is part of a huge school/hospital system in our area, (which actually is through a temp agency). There are only 2 full-time NP's and a handlful of part-time NP's. The hospital job is a 45-minute drive, 1-way, in light traffic. Pay to start is $13, but if this temp goes to permanent, potential is much greater. The clinic is open M-F, 8-4, closed holidays.&n ...

Dec 02, 2010

Dictator: The pateint is also on prophylaxis with acyclovir. VR: The patient is also on prophylaxis with a cycle in the air. ...