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

Basic question here: I believe I have the ability to be a good coder - EXCEPT memory. I have had seizures in the past and

Posted: 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.

Real Coders Don't Depend On Memorizing Codes - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
Coding isn't like the person in the doctor's office where the doctor checks off a form which then gets typed onto an insurance form. You learn to use the references in a professional manner. Hopefully you'll learn to code at the level where you can pass a certification exam. Memorization isn't an issue.

As a matter of fact, you can compare it with the way you use medical terminology. There are people who went to school someplace where they made them memorize lists of terms rather than learning about those terms and how they apply. The same thing goes with coding, although hopefully no school makes students memorize codes. That would be really, really ridiculous! The key is understanding what you are doing, not regurgitating codes that you've had pounded into your head.

Memory - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
I am working as an MT and have studied coding and have done some on-site observing of the coding process. From what I have done in my class and from what I have seen, you will need to consult references all the time. No one ever tried to memorize codes, one look at the ICD-9 book would tell you why. It is good to know which disease processes fall into which numerical category, but there are many exceptions to the rules. Experienced coders probably know quite a few of the codes because they have used them so much. Being a fast reader will help you, being able to retain what you read will help you even more. Being an analytical person is an asset. I don't understand what you mean by counting cards. If you are good at anything you take on, that is great. I'd encourage you to give coding a try.

Thank you both very much. You've made me happy this afternoon. - I am good at doing the understanding part because

[ In Reply To ..]
I always want to know "why" and "what," etc., and am just fine at using references since they always seem to have tables of contents and headers. :) Coding is attractive in itself, not just as a segue from MT, so with this big question answered a desirable option is open. Thanks again.

Counting Cards? Like in Las Vegas? - Redpen

[ In Reply To ..]
An analytical mind with fast, accurate reading abiity is probably the main key in coding. You have to be able to read and understand physician documentation--the same material you transcribe.

We consult references constantly . . . who would want to try to remember all that stuff? Especially when it keeps changing. Gah!

What's important is that you just loooove looking stuff up. Do you LIKE using references? Do you get a kick out of looking up new things and learning? That is what is important.

The numbers aren't important, but the medical knowledge behind them IS. Do you enjoy learning more about medicine? Could you never stop? Do you just love googling some unfamiliar disease? That's the key. If you feel that way, you'll like coding.

But, back to my question . . . what do you mean by counting cards? Like for card games? If so, you have no worries! I never could play cards, much less count cards. Not AT ALL. I'm not even sure how many there are, and that's the honest truth. I remember chess pieces, but not cards.

I avoided going into coding for several years, fearing that it involved doing something with those numbers. That was silly, because while there ARE numerals, they are just an organizing system. They're about as number-y as letters or little pictures of fruit.

Are you able to use a telephone directory? Can you copy a telephone number onto a piece of paper? Can you dial it? How about type it? Do you have trouble remembering them? That's ok, because we don't do that in coding.

If you are reading a book and the table of contents tells you to turn to page 365, are you able to do that? If the paragraphs are numbered and you are told to turn to paragraph 243.39, can you do that? Can you copy 243.29 onto a piece of paper or into a computer? Can you remember 243.29 three days later? No? Not a problem, because we don't do that in coding.

I do know people who have been at this for so long, like 30 years, that they have a considerable amount of the code set right in their heads, but that is absolutely not necessary. No matter what anyone tells you, it isn't necessary for working and it isn't necessary for passing a certification exam.

Thanks Redpen! - Bizzi

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks for that post Redpen! You just boosted my desire to begin my coding class even higher! I enjoy all those things you mentioned in your post, and I am excited to begin the path toward a new career. I just hope they will hire a 55-year-old when I achieve my credentials!!

memory and coding - Viva

[ In Reply To ..]
Correct. You cannot possibly memorize the thousands of codes and nobody expects you too. Certain codes will become familiar because of their categories--for example, 250 for diabetes, 042 for AIDS, but beyond that, it is NOT about memorization. It is more about being a good detective.

Thank you all again. Yes, counting cards referred to - OP :)

[ In Reply To ..]
holding a number of pieces of data in the head at once without dropping them. I love hearing that being a good coder, in practice as well as theory, really is very much about analyzing and understanding, AND being a good detective. MT allows me to improve the function of a report so users can find and take in that info quickly, but I'd much rather be searching for the info myself once again. Just loooving to look things up definitely depends on the things, but it'd also be nice to work in a position where looking a term up and staying to read isn't goofing off. :)

I'm going to look for a good but economical place to take classes. From what I've read here, I know I want to study both inpatient and outpatient at once and test for both credentials right after. The people on this forum are incredibly helpful. I only wish everyone found it before making the big decisions.

coding and memory and schooling - Viva

[ In Reply To ..]
I have been going to coding classes since last year at adult school with an instructor who works as a coding supervisor. The books cost a lot more than the class but we are not paying thousands of dollars to attend.
One more thing: You will need to study and remember other things for the exam and for work: ethics, when multiple codes are necessary, sequencing, etc.

Remembering those things - Coder2

[ In Reply To ..]
Most of this is written in the code book. The book either gives instructions that you will find when you are coding or it provides them in the Coding Guidelines.

I think a lot of coders learn by memorizing all of that, but it backfires on the job when your wires get crossed or something changes.

If you learn to use the code book correctly FIRST, all the rest will fall into place.

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