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Heads up in IL -- The blue unicorn of coding - has arrived.

Posted: Aug 31, 2013

For anyone who may need this... Central DuPage Hospital in IL is looking for THREE CCAs -- that's right, CCAs, not CCSs.

Uh oh! Sounds like ... - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
...somebody is gearing up for ICD-10.

Just a coding student. - What does this mean?

[ In Reply To ..]
Why would someone want a CCA over a CCS?

Don't know - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
I do believe the CCS is the best way to go, but a lot of schools don't teach enough for their students to pass the test.... thus, a lot of people end up with CCAs, which, as we know, makes it harder to land a good job. In my area, I NEVER see postings for a CCA, especially at a large, multi-facility hospital. Thus my heads-up... I know there's CCAs out there.

Possible reasons - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
There aren't a lot of CCS holders, so that facility might have difficulty finding enough. They may have established these positions intending to train the new hires into full-fledged coders, probably inpatient.

There is one year to the projected implementation of ICD-10. You should begin to see large facilities taking steps to accommodate the increased demands of that by bringing on more staff. Hence, my guess that this place is gearingup for ICD-10.

Just FYI, ICD-10 is expected to cause some delays in coding output due to its unfamiliarity, particularly for inpatient procedure coding. A lot of long-time coders are saying they will retire rather than switch. Facilities will have to cover these vacant positions as well as new ones.

I doubt if they would not prefer a CCS should one happen to apply, so don't let holding the higher credential stop you!

Long-time coders retiring before - ICD-10

[ In Reply To ..]
If long-time coders are retiring, how would their employers know whether to hire more coders now or when the coders decide to retire? Keep hearing about that, are they retiring in the days before the ICD-10 implementation? Do you think long-time coders are going to tell their employer they are out the door in a year from now? Why would long-time coders start training now for a year, knowing they are not going to be around?

Answers to your questions - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
Estimates indicate that additional time will be required to code in ICD-10. This is for a variety of reasons from coder unfamiliarity to electronic issues and Medicare-insurer issues. Facilities already know this and are taking steps to ensure coverage by increasing staffing.

Coders who plan to retire are not hiding the fact. Employers know they may have to replace them. Replacements need to be brought on board well before the switch begins because it would be unwise to try to orient new staff while dealing with unfamiliar coding, electronic issues, and everything else.

I don't understand your question "Why would long-time coders start training now for a year." The training for ICD-10 does not take a year. Estimates are in the range of 15 hours for outpatient coders and 50 or so for inpatient. Nobody has to go back to school for a year-they just need to get oriented. It is the training of new staff that takes time, particularly if you are hiring CAAs who have no experience. You can expect to have to provide a lot of training for them just in coding itself, nevermind ICD-10.

Long-time coders might or might not participate in ICD-10 training. You never know what the future will bring, after all. I think many who have sworn to retire will stay on. ICD-10 is opening jobs in other areas like clinical documentation improvement. I have seen a few moving into things like that.

okay - rewrote it

[ In Reply To ..]
Why would long-time coders start training now, knowing they are not going to be around NEXT year? Everyone is well aware it does NOT take a year to learn ICD-10.

Well, hmm... - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
Curiosity, perhaps. Not wanting to burn bridges. A sneaking suspicion that they will be incredibly valuable if they learn it. Or at least be able to work part-time because of it.

Lots of reasons, I suppose. I think the main one is that saying you plan to retire and actually doing it arie different. Nobody wants to be in the position of HAVING to retire on Sept 30. Learning it requires fairly minimal effort and expense, especially if your employer pays for it, so it is a lot safer to learn it.

Coders learn constantly. There is new stuff every year, practically all year. We all spend several hours a month, I think, attending this and that, several more reading and figuring things out. The ICD-9 code changes have been suspended for the last 2 years, so there is lots of room for ICD-10.

Some coders are saying so, yes. - also

[ In Reply To ..]
They are bringing an extra coder here and there to cover for the slow down that will occur in the transition to ICD-10.

Just means there is hope for CCAs - to get in.

[ In Reply To ..]
Which is a good thing. Thanks for posting the heads up!

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