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

Transcriptionist to coder - JC

Posted: Nov 14, 2011

Hello everyone. I have posted here before about this topic. I am thinking about taking a coding course, probably through Andrews, and was wondering which credential to get first...the CPC or CCS? Which one is more desirable for employers? If there are any other credentials I would need, please let me know because I have just started researching this. Thank you.

Here's how I would do it - CPC first for confidence then the CCS - Both CCS and CPC

[ In Reply To ..]
The CPC doesn't seem to be as scary and more people pass it. New graduates don't usually take the CCS and pass it, although Andrews graduates are an exception and there may be others. I would start with the CPC and then go for the CCS. That's all you need.

CPC then CCS - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
You should start with the CPC. Next get a CCS. Andrews students seem to be the only ones to do well on both.

It canbe difficult in any field to get hired if you do not have experience. Having both credentials can make the difference and open doors.

You will have a head start if you are an MT, so do not put too much stock into what you may hear from other sources that 3 years of experience are necessary. Passing thpse tests is probably easier if you are still focused on what you learn in school. A good part of them is material you know now. It is material college students do not know and do not seem to learn in their programs, so be more confident about YOUR chance of success. You can aim high.

Those are what you need first. Later you can add others,but those will get the job. You may read about the CCA and think it might be good to take first. Avoid that. Employers have not warmed up to it. It sends a message that you are ready to START learning to coe and expect to do so on the employers time. A CCS will trump it every time. They need credentialed coders, not coding assistants who did not get around to learning to code when they were supposed to and now expect on the job paid training.

AAPC and AHIMA credentials are the only ones recognized nationally, so do not bother with others. Most others are kind of scammy.

My experience with the CCA - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I took a coding course and passed the CCA. I sent out a million resumes and got hired on at an outpatient surgery clinic. They liked that I had my CCA. They said that many people applied who did not have any credentials but had a few years experience. However, they liked that I put myself through a program and got the CCA so they hired me. I will soon take my CPC and then possibly the CCS.

transcriptionist to coder - MJINATL

[ In Reply To ..]
What do you guys think of transitioning from transcription to coding at age 53? I am soooo fed up with transcription/editing pay, etc. but I want to be sure Coding is going to be around. With the implementation of RAC, is there a fear of losing coding jobs in the future also losing it to going overseas? Experienced coders, please advise so I can make a decision. Thanks!

It looks very good from what I've been seeing - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Everyone is afraid of the future these days. Nobody has all the answers. Anything could happen. Coding looks better than most things, all things considered. Nothing is perfect. There are always risks. Things in this world change so fast that nobody, absolutely nobody, can give you a solid answer. Coding looks like one of the better jobs out there at this point. I really can't think of anything better. Could it fall apart? Sure! Volcanoes can erupt in Central Park, too. There are just no guarantees. Maybe there never were. If I sound negative, I'm really not. I just see lots of volatility everywhere. Maybe it was always that way, but it seems like it really got worse around 2000 or so. Everything seems to be imploding. Coding seems calm compared to most of it. I think it's as good a choice as any and better than probably 85-90% of all other jobs.

Yes, come on over! - jm

[ In Reply To ..]
We need good coders out here. I transitioned from transcription to coding and am doing well. RAC is one of the reasons it WON'T be going overseas. The more good coders there are the more RAC-proof the charts are. RAC - Recovery Audit Contractors are hired by CMC to come in and pull charts in hospitals, check them and find mistakes and take back money, or give money back, depending on what they find. Yes, you can do it at 53.

Yes, come on over! - MJINATL

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks so much jm!! Great information regarding RAC - didn't realize that. I will be coming on over!! :)

I'll will be joining you. - Rainy

[ In Reply To ..]
So tired of flipping and flopping on whether I should or shouldn't give coding a try. After the new year, I am just going to do it. Thanks to everyone for your input--pros, cons, and everything in between.

There is way too much at stake so - coding is here to stay. sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Don't let what is happening with the MT industry defer you from coding. There is way too much at stake for facilities, insurance companies, etc financially and legally for them to every rely 100% on computers and they definitely will never be offshoring like they are MT work.

RAC will not hurt coding jobs. In fact auditing such as RAC is a great aspiration after you have been coding for awhile (like 5 or more years at least). RAC is just auditing to make sure the facilities pay back anything they were overpaid or in some cases they are given money back they were shorted. Trust me....I have been in this industry for years.

transcriptionist to coder - MJINATL

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank u so much for the encouragement. I will not let the MT industry defer me. Time is running out fast, though for transcription and honestly don't know if I can wait 2 years (while getting an associates degree) to get in this field. what i'm asking now is should I take the coding courses now (getting a CCS/CCA certificate and try to get a job NOW (upon completion of the CCS/CCA) and then proceed to RHIT a little later?

Not the OP but I think this is a perfect time to become a coder - because of ICD-10-CM

[ In Reply To ..]
What better time to be a new coding graduate. ICD-10 is going to be new to everyone. If you can manage to learn ICD-9 and ICD-10, your job chances are going to be even better.

If you want - to begin a coding

[ In Reply To ..]
career, you don't need an associate degree. You can take a coding course, get your CCS or CPC and begin coding if that is what you want. An RHIT is more an administrative or managing route. If you want to be a coder, you don't have to have the RHIT. Just depends on what you want to get into.

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