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

Advice on starting Basic Coding course now - Petunia

Posted: Feb 05, 2011

Just wonder what your thoughts are on this dilema. I want to start learning coding now. I am in a position where I have the time now and might not later. With ICD-10 starting in 2010, is it unwise to even go into ICD-9 now and then as soon as I am done then starting to learn ICD-10? Is is possible to take a course from AHIMA now in ICD-10 does anyone know? Are there any advantages to taking the ICD-9 first or should I just start out wi ICD-10? I am really up in the air about this and agonizing over what to do. I really would like to get started now, but I don't want to do double work. I have been a transcriptionist for 20 years and am really burned out. I want to use my background for something that will make for a fairly quick turnaround in careers. Advice please. Thank you .

Basic coding - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, you can start any time as ICD-10 will not be implemented until October 2013. You can still learn the coding rules and how to apply the codes, only the code numbers will change. CPT coding will be the same so you could learn that any time. I'm not sure what AHIMA is teaching right now. I don't see ICD-10 as double work but maybe a supplement to what you will aleady know, everyone who codes will be learning it. I recently finished my program and hope to take my certification exam this summer, I've also been an MT forever.

New career in coding - cking

[ In Reply To ..]
Where do you go to start taking coding?

Basic coding - Sam

[ In Reply To ..]
I took an adult education medical billing/coding course before signing up for a medical coding program. I was able to get my feet wet and get an idea if I would like it or not, which I'm happy to say I did.

starting basic coding - Viva

[ In Reply To ..]
Go ahead and study ICD 9 now. You will be able to obtain ICD 10 "mappings" later. That's my understanding from the supplements that came with my books from Ingenix.

This should not be bothering you at all. - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
There is really no dilemma here. Your question, though, makes me think that you believe you'll be memorizing a lot of codes when you learn to code, but that's not what we do. We learn how to USE the code set, not learn the codes.

ICD-9 and ICD-10 are very similar. They're similar like people speaking English in New Jersey sound different from people speaking English in Atlanta. Same language, different accent.

All of medical knowledge is not going to change. The diseases of mankind are not going to change. ICD-10 will have more codes and use slightly different numbering, but we don't memorize the codes anyway, so what does it matter? We look them up when we need them--we do not "learn them" by heart. Even the chapters in the code book are going to remain almost the same.

I have already learned ICD-10. It's not a big deal. It's very much like ICD-9. About 95% of what you learn for ICD-9 will transfer directly or indirectly to ICD-10. Everything you know about ICD-9 will help you transfer to ICD-10. And that's all it is . . . a transfer. If you already know how to use the ICD-9 code set, learning ICD-10 for diagnoses only takes a handful of hours. Most people hear a brief explanation, try a few codes, and say "Pfft! Is that all this is? Good grief! All that anxiety over nothing."

It takes longer to learn the procedure code set, because it is conceptually very different, but you might not need to learn it at all. Even if you do, it isn't going to be a conflict with what you already know. When people see that one, they say "AAAACK!" but after trying a few, they change their tune to "Oh, that's INTERESTING! Wow!"

You'll also need to know ICD-9 for some years down the road because you'll need to work with things that were coded before the switch. Those codes are going to remain in ICD-9, not vanish and not morph right over into ICD-10. Even if you waited until 2013 to learn to code, you would find that you would still have to learn both code sets to be effective as a coder.

Nobody is teaching ICD-10 instead of ICD-9 now. At this point, they're all teaching just ICD-9 or ICD-9 plus a bit of familiarization with ICD-10. Officially, that's appropriate for this point in time.

Don't count on crosswalks and mappings helping you much . . . less than a quarter of the codes have a direct one-on-one correlation. That's ok, though, because you wouldn't need it anyway. You'll just look up what you need then just like you look up what you need now.

My advice is to stop worrying about this. It's a happy non-issue. Just sign up for coding now and enjoy yourself. Just don't take it from someone who thinks the switch is a big scary deal--that would be a bad sign.

Similar Messages:

Apr 20, 2010

Hello, I am looking for anyone who is a coder, or understands the basic concepts of using the ICD-9 book. If possible I would like to speak with someone directly and can arrange a phone call. I am only a few weeks into this, I do not want to be a coder, I am getting my degree to be an MA. Just reading examples of how or why to code something a certain way is really giving me trouble. If anyone hear can offer any help please drop me a line. I don't know if there is a way to PM someone o ...

Apr 27, 2015

Hello, I am currently enrolled in AHIMA's Basic Coding Program. Has anyone else done this program? It seems that the CCS is mentioned as being the certficiate to get, is the CCA no good? This is all new to me, so any advice would be appreciated! I have done transcription for 17 years, but my company was outsourced, so time for a change. I am really enjoying learning coding. It is an online course, so I hope it will be enough to prepare me for a coding pos ...

Feb 07, 2013

they call this a 12-course basics. it says 2000, plus you need an additional 290 +225 for the required anatomy and physiology course, which you must at least get a C before you can proceed with the coding. they also suggest 35 a year for becoming a member. books are also a lot extra, looks like. says 4 clusters of 15-week courses, that is 60 weeks, yes? anyone have experience with this course? call me gun-shy, but this is the organization who threw MT unde ...

Apr 10, 2013

Hi everyone! My place of employment has approached me about the possibility of training as an outpatient coder within the year but wants me to take a CPT and ICD-9 course, no certification needed, just something stating I took these two courses. Would you who have been through this suggest I take AHIMA's coding basics (she says I only need the 4 total courses - CPT (2), ICD-9 (2) or take something like an online AAPC course i.e. coderclass.com? Can the AHIMA courses be ...

Feb 02, 2011

How hard is it to find a second shift part time job coding, either at home or working somewhere? ...

Sep 17, 2010

What is the basic 4 and what is ESL experience. English to Spanish? ...

Nov 30, 2014

as they would like us all to think. How is this plan industry leading as they'd like us to believe? There is no way to even know week to week how much you will be paid. It certainly is not a way to feed your family and take care of business. Do they forget that many of us are single parents with babies to take care of? How is this industry leading? ...

Nov 30, 2014

Who sent the email that was received? Was this from a TSM/COM/someone else? I have not seen any such email. That's not to say that some of you got it, that apparently means not all of us got it and that begs the question of WHO sent the email? Anyone willing to answer? ...

Feb 23, 2010

I need a good site to go to for basic four samples. Does anyone know of any? Thanks! ...

May 20, 2011

it's subpar. And I'm getting older. I'm still sharp, though, and analytical, plus a fast, accurate reader. How badly would need to consult references a bit more than average or inability to count cards without taking notes affect me in this field? BTW, I'm currently editing and have always been very good at anything I take on. Thanks for any input. ...

Jan 10, 2014

Would anyone be interested in helping me learn the basics on how to use the inscribe emdat platform? There is a job I could have only they do not offer training; it is all done by your own by reading the manual. I am not so good at understanding things that way and just have a few questions... Just throwing this out there... If anyone is willing, please email me through MTStars. Thank you for consideration, BansheeMT ...

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. ...

Mar 05, 2010

Hello, I was interested in becoming a MT because I recently became a mom and would like to work from home. Can anyone tell me the best way to get started? Is there a class/ school you recommend? Or is there a book I can study and take a test to get certified? I am financially strapped so which would be the best for me? I currently work in the medical field in the ER as a Doctors Scribe so I have quite a bit of medical terminology. Thanks for your input! ...

Feb 10, 2011

I just took the lengthy test for Medquist, though I found it pretty easy. If hired, what can I expect to get paid? ...

Aug 02, 2013

Has anyone found it incredibly hard to find a job outside the home after working as an IC for a long period of time. I apply everywhere and never get a call back. I recently lost my job as an IC and don't want to even bother with MT work anymore. I have been spending time online and applying everywhere. No one wants you to apply in person anymore. ...

May 05, 2015

Nuance is any better than it's getting around here at MM? I see they want experienced MTs rather than newbies in one of the ads, so that would sound like they'd expect to have to pay better at least. I used to think this place was better, but not lately. Does anyone here work for both currently, or even recently? ...

Nov 02, 2009

Two drugs under med list: s/l peruvian falsa and locaine 1%... ...

Jul 01, 2010

I was just wondering how hard is it to find new accounts in order to do medical transcription out of your home? Just about anyone that I have contacted has the new EMR or they already have someone doing their transcription. ...

Apr 27, 2010

I am considering entering into a MT program with one of the accredited schools, CareerStep. For those that have went through the CareerStep program, can you tell me (a salary or a range) of what your starting wage is with your first employer? I am looking for responses from MT that are employees not IC. (I need the health benefits). ...

Aug 17, 2010

Are you working harder and longer, only to see your counts going down? What the h___ is going on with this place? ...

Sep 07, 2010

I have a question. I was hired on at Medquist and was scheduled to start back on August 23. The radiology account I had been assigned to hadn't gone live yet. I was then told it would be approximately the second week in September. Still no word from my supervisor as to a start date for training. Anyone know of another person on the radiology team I can contact about this. I have no other names except for my supervisor's name and the name of my recrui ...

Oct 16, 2010

Boy, Medquist is really trying to get my attention! I tested w them prev. but no luck. Now, I have recd. three voice mails and two emails to get me to retest. I have a job already for $9.30/hr that I like. I have read horror stories about Medquist and seasoned employees there having their pay reduced to basically minimal wage. I got taken in by DIT Transcription for 9 weeks, so I am really leery now about being lied to. What is a good line rate to start out with them if I ...

Jan 29, 2011

Hi. I am new to MT boards here but wondering about how one would start a home business. I have worked for companies as a subcontractor but wish to advertise for myself and get some work from local doctors on my own. I would likely need a mini transcriber if I have to pick up and drop off tapes, but how does one do it over the internet? Would there be a way to get it through email set up of some kind with audio wav files that they could dictate to and I access it from there and just type and emai ...

Dec 10, 2011

I noticed a few of us are scheduled to start around the same time, December 19, 20, and 21-ish. For those of you who are supposed to start around that time, have any of you had your software installed yet? I'm supposed to start on the 20th and have already sent in all my new-hire paperwork but I haven't heard from anyone since then. I'm just curious if it's still too early to have it installed or if I'm the only one. In case it makes a difference, ...