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

Starting from scratch - NewGirl

Posted: Aug 22, 2013

Hello everyone!

I finally made the decision to go to school for either MT or coding. Then I found this site. After all the research from other sources and especially comments on this message board, I am steering towards coding. Since I have absolutely no background in medical, (I'm currently a legal assistant), I was wondering what the thoughts were on someone starting from scratch. I noticed most going to Coding are coming from Transcription. Do I even have a chance?

Also, I've seen much accolades for the Andrews School and personally had a great conversation with Linda. I also had a good feeling about MedLine, however, but haven't heard much about that school on here. They offer an MT/Editor course with an added/combined "bridge to coding" course. Does that sound like a good way to go, or just go straight to an excellent coding course? Any feedback is helpful.

Thanks!

Question for board--why are questions - getting dislikes?

[ In Reply To ..]
The one down below asked a couple of questions and already has 2 dislikes as well.

please explain - what

[ In Reply To ..]
Dislikes are? I don't know what you are referring to.

Dislikes - My explanation

[ In Reply To ..]
There are a few unhappy people here who have an issue with coding. (Or life in general, I don't know.)

Just ignore the dislike votes. They don't mean anything.

Why don't I see them? - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Open this post and look in the - lower right corner

[ In Reply To ..]
Probably 12 people have disliked it by now. :-)

Thanks, never noticed that! - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Starting from scratch - No problem

[ In Reply To ..]
The only reason you see so many MTs here is that this is an MT board. It is not a problem to "start from scratch." In fact, not a lot of coders are ex-MTs.

I do not know why one would consider an MT/editing course. It has nothing to do with coding.

This is not something you can pick up fast or superficially. The field is competitive. The better prepared you are, the more likely you will be to get a job. Many coders do fine with just outpatient coding, but for optimal success you need to be able to code both inpatient and outpatient when you graduate. And pass those certification exams. Many schools will tell you that they teach both in and outpatient when they are really teaching only "introductory overview hodgepodge of everything." They think that's fine because they believe employers want to spend 2 years teaching you what you did not learn in school. Employers do not want to do that. They want to see that you can code already, either by experience or certification or both.

There is no field in which employers WANT new graduates. You will have to work at getting a job. However, there is a shortage of competent coders. Become one and you have a shot at it.

In my opinion, you can't go wrong with Andrews. It is a complete course that has a good track record in terms of certification. It is reasonably priced, too.

Please see the career map on the AHIMA website, as well as the salary surveys at AHIMA and the AAPC. You can see from those websites that coding is part of a much larger field and that there are many types of coding-related jobs. Coding is not limited to just plopping codes on claims -- there are consultants, educators, and a variety of specialists. The pay can be really good. It is a well-respected occupation. When you see how broad the field is, you can understand how silly and uninformed it is to say that coding is being offshored. The people saying that here are not coders or HIM professionals.

probably getting dislikes because you are even considering entering - the field of mt OR coding both are being

[ In Reply To ..]
outsourced. Please reconsider your decision!!! I would hate to see you waste your time and $$$

Please stop posting misleading information - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Please stop posting negative, misleading information.

If you do not want to pursue coding, that's fine, but it is inappropriate to post misleading information about a field, especially when you know nothing or little about it.

Coding, because it is part of the much larger field of health information administration and informatics, is actually a good choice. It can provide transitioning MTs with a job that can serve as a stepping stone to other jobs and further education in that larger field.

Please also get clear on the difference between outsourcing and offshoring, and learn how this board works. You have again posted under the wrong message.

Starting from scratch - CLB

[ In Reply To ..]
I do both, but only for pathology. did my associate of applied science many years ago. self-taught coding for consults that were being sent out because the lab we sent to wouldnt accept consults without dx code. i have recently finished a 10 month online course for coding and received diploma. the only thing that i was disappointed about was the school didnt allow the funds for the cpc certification exam. so i have to pay that $300 myself for the certification. you'd think after spending 10 grand that it would be included but its not. the coding course i did was originally a back-up plan because my boss thought at one point that the independent lab may have to close, but its all good. lol!
i would encourage either of them. i enjoy both.
in the meantime, i have my full-time position at an anatomic pathology lab and i'm currently seeking part-time transcription or coding to do from home.
good luck to you in your continued education and your future career.
be groovy!

CLB - 10 grand?

[ In Reply To ..]
You spent $10,000 on an online coding course and did you got a diploma or a certificate of completion? I am a coding student and I had no expectation of my school paying for my certification exams. Did you take the CPC exam? I did and I passed, but I did pay for it myself. My education was less than half of what you paid, books included.

Did you happen to talk to Linda about her coding course too? - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
A majority of people who go into coding do so without any medical background.

I don't think I would recommend transcription to anyone anymore. I'm trying to get out and will be attending Andrews for coding shortly.

I'm curious to know what draws you to transcription and coding? There may be something there that can help you with your decision.

Starting from scratch - Lolo

[ In Reply To ..]
Hi NewGirl,

I am just finishing up the Medline Coding Bridge program. I am an MT of 17 years with an Associate Degree in Health Information Technology. The coding bridge has been a great way for me to "refresh" my coding education that was a big part of my college degree, as well as put me on the learning curve toward ICD-10.

I think if someone doesn't have strong anatomy/physiology and medical terminology knowledge, this particular bridge program is not for them.

I do like the Medline website and its organization for this course, and the instructors do respond promptly and grade exams quickly.

I hope this helps your decision (about Medline, anyway) and you decide to go for coding! Good luck to you.

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