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

Coding school - already know 75% of the coursework having been an MT - so here is my question

Posted: Jul 14, 2010

I am taking an online coding and billing course and the frustrating thing about it is I already know 75% of the coursework having been an MT for 100 years. I know medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, the anatomy of a medical record, etc. So I skip through and take the module test and move on. There are those on this forum who say MT experience doesn't help when transitioning to coder/biller. Can anyone elaborate on why they say this?

question - jm

[ In Reply To ..]
I recall someone saying it is different and employers won't hire you to be a coder just because you have MT experience. Did someone say it doesn't help? I came from MT and that knowledge was a great foundation for coming into coding. MTs are already fluent in medical language speak, know medical terminology, and anatomy and physiology. (And know how to spell everything!). Imagine coming from no medical background and starting from scratch. I didn't mind the review, feeling that I was just reinforcing my knowledge. When you get into actual coding, it is nothing like MT. You will feel right at home with all the medical terminology and that is a HUGE advantage. The coding work is a whole new ball game. Also, I find you have to take your anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology education deeper as you go along to stay on your toes.

As a coding student - see message - Aspiring coder

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm in a distance learning coding program too, in fact it might be the same one. I've been an MT for 30+ years and went into it with the same attitude, thinking that I knew it all. If you want to skip terminology, fine; take the module exam and and see if you can pass it but you will be missing a lot of the material they cover. I would definitely recommend NOT skipping the anatomy; as they say, "we don't know what we don't know" and when you get to the final exam you want to make sure you've covered all the material. At first I couldn't understand why I needed to know all that to code but as I progress in the class it is becoming more apparent. As JM said, I cannot imagine anyone without medical backgound entering into that from scratch. The terminology and anatomy did get tedious but I am finally finishing the last module tonight, taking my test and glad to have that behind me. I get to spend time with one the coders where I work observing and learning (I still do MT full-time) and I'm pretty excited about that. I'm going on and on....The bottom line is, as a coding student I would advise you to do the entire program and not skip anything, you might regret it later.

aspiring coding student - doozer

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I am a transcriptionist and I would like to know where you go to school on line. I am almost ready to start The Andrew's School of Medical Coding, but I am open to hear about other on line schools. Thanks. Doozer

On-line schools - Aspiring coder

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I'm in Career Step but anyone from Andrews will tell you their program is the best. Others on-line are through AAPC and AHIMA. Several colleges also offer distance learning, good luck with your choice.

Thanks - sm

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That is great that Andrews students love their program so much. That says a lot about a school. I would think AHIMA is good, too, though I never hear anyone really talk about it.

Career step - is around 2K

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AHIMA is around 2K and from what I can see Andrews is 3.8K.

coding schools - dnh

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Be sure to seriously check out community colleges, too. There are several that offer on-line programs which are quite good and far less costly. FAR less. The big names are not the only one that can offer you a good education.

Please compare total costs-- - Tuition versus All Costs

[ In Reply To ..]
When you compare costs, please be up-front about what is included. Are books included? Are instructors included? Are course materials online and do they require printing out? Is expensive computer access required? Is the time allowed for completion so short that one or more pricey "extensions" will be required? Does the program cover ALL of coding, or is it just office coding?

Once you add books and everything else to a school's seemingly low tuition, you may find that it closely approximates another school's apparently higher tuition.

Schools have different ways of marketing their products. Just be honest about what's included when you try to steer students toward a 2K program or a uber-cheap community college.

Total costs - Aspiring coder

[ In Reply To ..]
I didn't think anyone was steering anyone in any direction, the poster just mentioned the cost of each program. Where do you come up with expensive computer access as a factor? Most of us already have computers and high speed internet and would be paying for it regardless of how we used it. My program covers both inpatient and outpatient coding. I did have to purchase some books but all the coding books are included. An 8-month extension is also included for free. An no, it's not an uber-cheap community college but it is not Andrews either, here we go again....

Please explain - What is

[ In Reply To ..]
Expensive computer access?

Not the OP but some schools require students to have subscriptions - Not sure if this is what OP meant

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There is some kind of subscription that some schools require. I can't think of the name of it, but some of you probably know what I'm talking about.

I don't know - sm - Aspiring coder

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I am not familiar with that, my school does not have it, I was confused about it too.

Computer requirements - Vary

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Most MTs will have high-speed internet, but some people only have dial-up. Some have to use an employer's computer and email. Quite a lot have no computer at all, so they must make do with the public library or a computer they borrow at a friend's house. Even with their own computer, they might be unable to print. A lot of people who want to learn a new career do so because they're currently unemployed.

Many colleges require students to have the entire Microsoft Office Professional package -- not the one that comes on most computers. The student has to buy Powerpoint, Visio, Outlook, Excel, Project, and One Note. Access to certain publishers' software testing websites may be required. Others may require a subscription to coding laboratory software. This is usually a surprise, with students discovering the full meaning of it after it's too late.

At some colleges, only the official bookstore knows exactly what books will be used, forcing students to buy from them. Some require all tests to be taken at a local college's testing facility, at costs that may be $25-50 per test. Some require an on-site class or two, requiring travel and hotel accommodations for two to six weeks, and one has traditionally required this every summer while the student is enrolled.

These costs can be very difficult to identify before enrollment. One school won't fit all, but it would be more informative for prospective students if everyone gave an estimate of the "other" costs and requirements in addition to the bargain tuition.

Thank you - Aspiring coder

[ In Reply To ..]
I have the coding lab software, it was included with my tuition. That is interesting about Microsoft Office, I had no idea. The info about travel and hotel accommodations was informative too, thank you for sharing that information.

Yes - Good idea

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Now that is another thing prospective students can put on their list to investigate in whatever school they choose - computer program requirements, what is included in the coding course and what they would be required to invest in. I would not want to have to invest in computer programs to take a course, and I would hope they supply "versions" of what you need if they require it. On the other hand, I don't want to have to go so simple that you have to write out EVERYTHING, like tests, assessments, assignments. That can be a drag in this day and age when technical ease is so available. I realize some are neccessary, (essays) but don't take me backwards.

Career Step - 2K includes

[ In Reply To ..]
All books, plenty of time to complete course, no need to print out course materials, all available online. Easy to follow modules, both inpatient and outpatient coding and billing. What am I missing?

I think it's great that you're happy with your choice of schools - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Career Step - Aspiring coder

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I am in Career Step. My course did not include all the books. I purchased some but they are optional, I also purchased an additional anatomy and physiology text, the one that AHIMA uses for their class. All the coding books and other material are included in the tuition, however. I have printed out a few things but only because I need them for review and don't see that as a problem or a negative thing. I do like the course, and like being able to work at my own pace. They are giving me a year to finish plus an 8-month extension at no charge which I don't plan to use.

Who said that MT experience doesn't help??? - Redpen

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Who said that MT experience doesn't help when transitioning to coding???

It helps enormously! I've said here before that MTs make excellent coders, in large part because they know a great deal of the basic medical information AND because they have such a good grasp of the documentation and medical record aspects of it.

A lot of people think nurses are good choices for coding, and they can be, but they don't have the in-depth familiarity with medical reports and medical record contents that MTs have. Most nurses do not know what happens in a surgical procedure, but MTs do. When it comes time to figure out exactly what a surgeon did and select the correct code, MTs have little difficulty. Nurses can't do this, other medical sorts can't do it, and even some physicians can't do it, but MTs can.

It can be frustrating to have to go through material you already know, but remember that review is good. You need a more in-depth knowledge of those subjects to do really well in coding. You'll need even more to function well with ICD-10, too. So, even though it may be frustrating, it's important to do it adequately. If you think your course is presenting material at too low a level, take time to supplement it.

You can never know too much in coding . . . the closer you can come to knowing what a physician knows, the better off you will be.

College-level material is enough to get you past the coding certification exams, but the higher you can go, the better off you'll be. For inpatient coding, you need more than for outpatient. For clinical documentation improvement work, you need more than either of those.

If you can afford a little extra time to do the basics well now, you should.

MT experience for coding - sm - Aspiring coder

[ In Reply To ..]
I think the conversation we had was in regard to applying for a coding job with MT background and whether that could count toward coding experience. The consensus was that it would not, training would still be needed. As far as MT helping in the classes, that is a definite yes. I hate to admit how I strugged with anatomy, I had to get an additional book and some other interactive materials to keep it straight in my head...please tell me I'm not the only one who finds it difficult, lol! Your advice about supplementing the class material with other research is very good, there is always more to learn.

MT transition to coding definitely a plus since you know all the A & P for course work, termino - Sunrises

[ In Reply To ..]
I am also thinking of transitioning into coding from MT with all the changes that are going on now for MT's. Are you taking the course with a college or adult ed or with the Med Rec Association? From what I understand it is a matter of getting the hands on experience and I think if you can get into an office or hospital you've got it made. Like MT, it's the experience that will count.

Transition to coding - Aspiring coder

[ In Reply To ..]
I am doing an on-line distance learning program. I'm just starting the introduction to coding and had no idea there was so much to learn. I'm getting a chance to do some mentoring at the multispecialty clinic where I work and they're encouraging me to make other contacts with the local hospital, hopefully something good will happen for me. I love MT and want to do it for as long as I can, hopefully I can find a way to do both when I finish school.

MT & Coding - AML

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I was wondering about the same thing, doing both MT and Coding. I LOVE typing and always have but after 18 years, for the 2nd year in a row, yet again I am finding myself with a significant lack of MT work and was considering coding. Last night I was talking with DH and wondering if there are any MTs to ALSO code or if it is one or the other, not both. I was offered to do SR/editing and it is just not for me.

MT and coding - Aspiring coder

[ In Reply To ..]
Coding and MT are definitely 2 separate jobs and sometimes done in different departments of a medical facility. I am hoping on getting either a full-time coding job with my current employer or part-time MT, part-time coding if we can work that out. It's really speculation now, I'll have more options after I finish school.

actually not - cj

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Actually they are generally the same department, HIM, or what we always called medical records! Now health information management department. both MT and coding are HIM functions and in that same department. I am one of the people who does both. I do full-time coding and part-time MT and I really like it that way. It allows me to maintain my skills in both areas and gives me more variety.

Actually yes - Aspiring coder

[ In Reply To ..]
Where I work (large multispecialty clinic and surg. center) the coders and MTs are in two totally separate departments. Our coders are in the business office, MT is under HIM. Our inpatient hospital has HIM coders as well as outpatient/business office coders. There are several other acute care hospitals in our area with this arrangement.

While MT and coding may be under the same umbrella where you work, that is not necessarily true for every faciity. Regardless of that, coding and MT are definitely 2 different jobs.

Doing both - Redpen

[ In Reply To ..]
When you really like what you do now, it's very normal to want to continue doing it. Changing to a new job field can make us feel conflicted about our loyalties and choices. We don't speak of this much, but there is a part of us that associates this kind of change with abandonment of prior choices and friends, with being unable to make a decision and stick to it, and with a general fear of the unknown. Quite often, we even have family and friends who say "I told you so." You can hear them now, I'm sure . . . "I told you she wouldn't last a decade!" "I told you it was a stupid idea when she dreamed it up in 1982!" "I told you we would be hearing another hairbrained notion from that girl!"

Changing careers just kind of conflicts with the Great American Expectation that you'll work for the same company for 30 years. Baby Boomers, in particular, still have enough of this expectation that they can take longer to visualize, decide to act upon, and accept career changes.

Change can also be really difficult if we truly loved what we did before.

But, there is nothing at all wrong with wanting to do something new, or with needing to do something new, or with loving something new just as much as we loved something before.

We're not being disloyal just because we're changing career fields. We've probably thought out our choices, too, and realized it's a sensible decision.

It's ok to want to keep doing MT while you begin coding. Keeping up an old job while you begin a new one is often a very good idea. It takes time to see ourselves in a new identity, so for a while we might need to see ourselves in both roles.

While it's normal to want to retain a part of the past, it's also important not to let that hold you back from growth, development, and improvement.

This is one change that is very likely to work out well. My expectation is that coding will work out so much in your favor that the change will go smoothly. You'll be surprised at how well.

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nm ...