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

My road to code... - js

Posted: Feb 25, 2011

Hi coders, I'm an MT with many years of experience and am trying to break into coding and billing. I am starting with an on line course to get the basics and overview of the process. When I am done with that I will take a class at my community college to refresh and hopefully network. Does this sound like a good plan to anyone? Anything to recommend to be supplementing so I will do well on whatever certification tests are necessary when the time comes? Thanks!

It depends on what your goal is - See message

[ In Reply To ..]
It all depends on what you want to end up with at the end of your training. All online courses are not equal. Some are just introductory and others are the top of the line as far as what you learn. Community college courses in coding and billing are not designed to get you to the point where you can pass a certification exam, although those also vary a great deal in what they offer. Most are introductory, which is fine if you want to work in a doctor's office or small clinic where you are doing more billing than coding. I don't think "supplementing" is a good idea, because it's hard to supplement what turned out to be poor training and it's impossible for people to teach themselves when they aren't really sure what it is what they are supposed to be learning. In other words, we can't teach ourselves what we don't know. That's my overview of the situation as you described it. It seems like a poor plan if you want to be a coding professional, but a fine plan if you want to do some billing and at least recognize a code when you see it. I don't think you would have real coding skills, but not every job requires real coding skills. Good luck to you with whatever plan you choose.

Thanks for that insight. What would be the - plan to become a

[ In Reply To ..]
"coding professional," preferably in a hospital setting? Again, thanks so much for your insight!

Insight - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
A good school that teaches you the coding guidelines and then practicing what you have learned would be a good start. You can do independent study if you choose, there are quite a few good prep courses available, but I would begin with a structured program. As a coding student I am finding that any opportunity to learn should not be overlooked, even if it means teaching yourself, I would have to disagree with the other person on that. If you want to work in a hospital you will need certification. Try to get into an on the job training or internship program if you can, take an entry level job if it means a foot in the door and a chance to move into a coding position later on. If you want to go to community college, find out how much of the program is actual coding before enrolling.

Depends on what your goal is, and if it is to work in a hospital - See message

[ In Reply To ..]
If you want to work in a hospital as a credentialed coder, the first step would be to get very solid training, not just an introduction. Following your training, I would go for certification, probably in both CCS and CPC-A. Then, and here I agree with the poster who just posted, I would continue to learn. This, after solid training and credentials, would be the right time to start supplementing your work on your own. At that point you wll know enough to do that effectively.

My road to code - Privacygal

[ In Reply To ..]
Good plan but again be sure it is an accredited course through AHIMA or AAPC. Hospitals will not hire anyone that isn't accredited by these organizations. Don't spend your money on an online program unless it accredited. Good Luck.

My experience is that credentials matter and - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I've heard of people who studied with accredited programs and weren't able to get jobs or pass the CCS or CPC. That isn't an insult to those courses necessarily, because some of them aren't designed to prepare you for credentials. Nothing maters more than getting that CCS or CPC. Some, but very few, schools teach enough to prepare you to pass those tests.

Do your work very carefully before you enroll, because it's easy to get confused and take a short, easy course that won't get you where you want to go. Find a school that consistently graduates students who can. That will be the smartest thing you can do toward advancing your coding career if you want a career as a professional coder.

Schools - MT2Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
If you're wanting a coding course that will prepare you to pass the credentialling exams, I highly recommend Andrews. I am a graduate of their MT program and can tell you I was extremely prepared to enter the workforce and have never, even as a new grad, had trouble finding a job. Of course that is MT and not coding, but it assures me the coding program is also excellent.

I can't believe I am about to say this, but Career Step looks to have a good coding program too. That felt dirty to even type but in asking around a bit a lot of their graduates are reporting passing the CCS after graduation.

Andrews offers a downpayment with monthly payments for 24 months but CS offers other financial aid. If money grew on trees I would enroll in Andrews' coding program today, but it doesn't.

Wrong Spot - MT2Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
Oops..posted a reply in the wrong thread!

Privacygal . . . - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm sure you mean well, but your information is inaccurate, confusing, and very misleading. I'm not sure you are well-informed about the coding industry. It's not the same as privacy.

All employers wish to hire employees who are credentialed in coding.

However, neither AHIMA or AAPC requires attendance at any program, accredited or otherwise. All of their coding exams are open to anyone, whether they attended a school or not.

The most important thing is attending a program that has a good success rate on the credentialing exams.

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