A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry
Any MTs Here Enrolling at Andrews? - Jill
Posted: May 07, 2015
Lots of MTs here. Are any of you making the switch to coding and getting your training through Andrews? Why did you choose Andrews School?
Andrews - MT here - Effie
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I am planning on enrolling at Andrews the second we are laid off here at my current hospital job.. which was supposedly going to happen about three months ago but they keep putting it off cause of "problems"... LOL, their problems are only beginning..
But anyway, I chose Andrews quite frankly because (1) They state that you will be prepared for the CCS exam and from what I have seen, thats the certification the people hiring coders WANT you to have... and (2) There have been so many MT's on here saying it was a good choice...The opinion of my fellow MTs matters to me.. well, except for politics...
Why wait???? - Start now!!
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You are losing money by not starting now. Every month you delay wastes time and income.
Don't rush her. That really good income can wait for the right time - When nobody could talk her out of it
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Linda Andrews tells people not to enroll until they are absolutely sure. They don't pressure anyone by phone calls or mass e-mailings. Nobody ever called me or tried to get me to START NOW. They never have any special sales either.
It's true that if you really know this is what you want to do, the sooner you start, the sooner you start making good money. Even though that is true, it's better to wait until you are sure with no question about it. Medical coding is a career that starts out with a good income and has even greater income potential. Even so, follow Linda's advice and don't do it until you are so sure that nobody could talk you out of it. That's what I did and when I started, there was no going back. I was committed to it. That makes all the difference in the world.
you are BOTH right - Effie
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You are both right... waiting for the right time and why not just go ahead and do it if I am sure... Its all about MONEY of course.. I am planning on using my severance pay to pay the down payment on the course, so I have to wait for the job to end. I just got back from FMLA... had surgery while I still had insurance and have not gotten a penny from my short term disability insurance yet and so finances are TIGHT...if I could, I would have started weeks ago.
For those of you currently thinking about making the leap from MT to coding, please think about this before investing in a coding education right now. ICD10 is coming in a couple short years, implementation in 2013. Facilities are now gearing up to retain their current coding staff beginning next year (mandatory). So you are being taught ICD 9 if you go to school now, but if it takes you 2 years to complete your education, then right when you finish, ICD9 will be a thing of the past ...
I am going to enroll in Career step tomorow. I looked into Andrews, but if I had the 1000 to put down I would not be looking for a new career. LOL. Wish me luck! ...
Am a current Mt looking to get into coding, specifically looking at Andrews. I am not familiar with coding at all, so this may be a dumb question to those familiar with it - but here goes! Would it make more sense to wait until the implementation of ICD-10 to invest in the courses or is this a mute point pretty much? In other words, would it be easier to "transition" from 9 to 10 or start fresh with 10? Hope this makes sense and TIA for any input.
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Hi. My name is Suzanne and I am enrolling in the Andrew's School for Medical Coding next week, on Tuesday February 1, 2001 and am getting nervous. I am a medical transcriptionist and I want to know if any thing I have done in the last 10 years, such as medical terminology and anatomy, will help me. Of course I will take that part of the course, but I want to know if that will help. Also, I am most nervous about deciphering the codes. I guess what I am asking is how do I know I will be a goo ...
I am thinking of starting the billing/coding courses at my community college in August. It will take me less than a year since I have courses that will transfer from my MT certification. I hear that with ICD10 it is a good field to go into. What is the reality? When I became an MT last year I didn't ask these question to people who actually worked in the field and now I am sorely disappointed with my pay and I don't think I can stick it out an Nuance to get the 2 or more years experien ...
I am an LPN looking into the field of MT. I am tired of standing on my feet for 2-3 hour med passes and lifting and turning patients. I am ready to work hard from home. I understand that both M Tec and Andrews are great schools. Is one better then the other? How do experienced MT's feel about the two?
Thanks!! ...
I'm considering Andrews coding, but would love some feedback for those who enrolled that had no medical or MT background. I have very little medical background and it seems the MT's are favored as they are more familiar with terminology. For those enrolled how do you like the course? Do you find the course interesting? I already know its challenging! Thanks for any info you can provide! ...
I'm trying to do as much research as possible into changing careers from MT to coding, and I've narrowed down my two choices of schools to Andrews and CCO (CodingCertificate.Org). According to CCO's website, they now offer courses that will prepare you to take the CCS exam. I've heard positive things about CCO, but I've also heard positive things about Andrews, and how thorough it is, but also that it's very difficult. I would love to hear either f ...
Okay, so after much debate and research, I enrolled in Andrews course for coding yesterday! :) Now I'm just waiting for my materials to arrive, reading over my 1st set of instructions, and trying to navigate my way through loads of information on the student forum. All I can say is WOW. I think this course is going to be wonderful and very challenging. I'm actually a bit overwhelmed at the moment! LOL! But I'm excited!
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When this board first started up Linda was on here quite often but haven't seen her in a while. Oh well, just noticing. Wow, this board has taken off! ...
Per the request you sent via email, I have tried to call the number you provided four times but only get your voicemail. I did call during office hours. If you wish to communicate, email me again and let me know when I can reach you. I do not give out my number, which is unpublished for personal reasons, nor do I provide my email address to individuals I do not know personally. ...
Just wondering what the difference in price is? CS has a much more impressive website and they have been very good at answering my questions. Why would they be so much cheaper? ...
Coders: In a situation where a new graduate of a program has the CCS but not the RHIT, do you believe this would be an obstacle to finding employment? I notice some jobs say CCS or RHIT and some want both.
I am weighing the pros and cons between attending a program that I know will prepare me to pass the CCS (Andrews) versus a program to earn a degree that will make me eligible to take the RHIT and, hopefully, pass the CCS.
For background, I am a medical transcriptionist and also will graduate ...
For those of you who are past or present Andrews students... how did you/are you paying for your course? I know you can either put a down payment or pay in full. Just curious, thanks. ...
I know Andrews does not give out any discounts on their $3,800 charge, but are there ways to get help lowering the cost through any organizations you are aware of? Thanks. ...
Would like to know if any graduates of Andrews or M-Tec became employed shortly after completing course and how much I could be expected to earn on a part-time basis (20 hrs/wk)? ...
I am an MT who was laid off from my job and I am seriously considering coding school. So far, I am leaning towards Andrews, they sound the best. My question is, will I be able to find a job that pays well afterwards? I have looked at a few job postings online in my area and it looks like entry level coders are only 10 bucks an hour. This concerns me as I don't want to put out a lot of money for coding school if I am not going to be making much money. Also, ...
This may not be the right board, but I thought I would put it here. I have been interested in taking the coding course through Andrews for over a year now. I was just wondering if that is the way to go or if I should take a different course that they are now offering. They now offer billing and medical management. I know that medical transcription is out because I am already a transcriptionist and that is not going well. Any and all advice is welcome. Thank you. ...
I have been researching coding schools. I have a local community college which would prepare me for the CPC. I would have to pay out of state tuition, however, which would be substantial. For less money I could take courses with the Andrews School, which seems like it would prepare me for the CPC and the CCS. HOWEVER, when I was reading the requirements for the CCS, it sounds like there are certain education requirements -- are you eligible to take the CCS after you gradu ...
I just saw their ad on the other job site which says this:
Recent graduates Openings for graduates within the last year from the following schools: Career Step (Honors/High Honors) MTEC, INC.Winter Park TechSeminole State College Everett College
Not that I would encourage recent graduates or anyone else for that matter to work there. It was one of the worst experiences of my life. I guess I'm just surprised that Andrews isn't included in their stupid list. Of course, Nuance doesn ...
I need financial aid. Andrews doesn't accept Pell grants. etc. Currently I'm on unemployment. Been unemployed for about 2 months now. Have been an MT for 37 years. I applied for WIA funds (workforce investiment act) and included info about Andrews and medical coding in general, i.e., what it is, etc. They won't pay for Andrews or coding for that matter because they say:(1) Its a work at home job. (2) Its an online program and they ca ...
I think I've decided on Andrews School for coding. My question is any recent graduates get jobs? How quickly? All openings I've browsed look like they want 3-5 years experience...... ...
not been able to find a coding position? It seems like the best option, but everyone around here locally wants 5 years experience, so I guess the only other way to get started is as a doctor's office receptionist/biller/coder, which is what they do around here & it doesn't pay well at all because most offices will just train you on the job. My 19-year-old daughter got on doing it but started at $8.50/hr, now up to $9. Five years as an office girl at a doctor's offi ...
Hello. I was told by the student coordinator and Linda Andrews herself that people who have finished their course and gotten their credentials have gotten jobs from home. I think it was 1 in 4. Just wondering if any of you have been those 1 in 4? They also told me it may be more like 50% in a year or so. Thanks! ...
If I could choose a school right now for coding, Andrews would be first choice. I was hoping that someone could share some suggestions for paying for the course. Right now AAPC is having a "sale" on their course which is now 50% off. From my research, though, I think that would not be my first choice, but is muc more affordable than Andrews. Has anyone used any of the Andrews payment plans? How did that work out for you? The cost seems prohibitive to me, but I ...