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I am putting in my paperwork for The Andrew's School for Medical Coding and I am nervous - Suzie

Posted: Oct 01, 2013

Hi Friends:

My name is Suzanne and I am sending in my paperwork to enroll in the Andrew's School for Medical Coding and I am nervous. I am nervous because I do know I can do it, but what about my age of 57. I am too old for studying for this field? I am a medical transcriptionist and have been for 12 years and I am a fast thinker and learner and I know I can do it, but what about the Affordable Care Act and the jobs being outsourced like medical transcription. Can you give some thoughts on my age and the future of this profession? Thanks so much.

Suzanne - MT headed

[ In Reply To ..]
I am not going to open up the outsourcing issue again; the Affordable Care Act should not change anything except increase the need for coders as more people will be insured and more people will go do the doctor, which means more cases to be coded and billed.

In regard to your age, I guess it depends on your career goals. You will probably be 58 or 59 when you finish your course and will need to sit for the certification exams and then hit the job market, so it would depend on how low you plan to work; you could be 60 years old before you land a job. Coding is a difficult field to break into, but changing careers in your late 50s is going to be a challenge, no matter what you do. There are a lot of coding related jobs that you can do, however. Sending in your paper work and then asking if you are doing the right thing? If MT is still lucrative for you, then I would say to stay put. You can put your MT skills to use doing QA. Only you can decide about coding, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

You are never too old to learn something new. - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
You say you are a fast thinker and a fast learner, and you seem to have the confidence ("I know I can do it") so I say go for it. There is never any harm in learning something new. Of course jobs get outsourced, offshored, etc., but as has been said many times on this board, that happens with a lot of professions, not just ours in MT and coding.

I'm in my 40s, MT for 15 years, and am studying coding as well through Coding for Healthcare Professionals. It's a challenge but well worth it, in my opinion. Good luck to you!

Some thoughts - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
You have undoubtedly been reading about healthcare concerns cutting back on staff, etc., due to the Affordable Healthcare Act. I am not sure if that is the reason, but Medicare has really cut reimbursements, which IS something that has led to cost-cutting. There is a push to improve efficiency and eliminate things that cost, but which do not result in improved healthcare.

There is also something you can't see because you do not already work in the revenue end of things. It is that reimbursement and revenue are closely tied to the ability of coders and other revenue staff. For that reason, coding is not likely to be slighted. You can get rid of secretaries, lawn crew, and some other folks, but you cannot get rid of coders without incurring a loss of revenue. In other words, coders pay for themselves. This is especially true in complicated specialties and large facilities.

If you are concerned about getting a job in a year, don't dawdle through that program doing only the minimum amount of work. Finish faster. Also start looking for a transition job now so that you aren't in the position of being an unemployed MT trying to get a break in coding in a year.

Another possibility occurred to me when I checked Andrews' website to see how long it took. Their billing course is much shorter and only $900. You could start with that and get a job in just a few months, then continue on if you wished. The billing would count as experience.

That might be a good option for you. Certainly, it would be lots better than being so anxious about future job issues, real or imagined, that you could not study.

Andrews - please sm

[ In Reply To ..]
As a recent Andrews grad and someone who is not much younger than you are, I say go for it. Like you, I was so nervous, but I made it through the coding course. I will tell you that it is by no means easy but you can do it!

Regarding your concern about outsourcing, have you taken a look at the Andrews board? There is a very positive post from Linda from earlier today regarding the future of coding.

While there are no guarantees in life, I am quite happy I chose to take the leap from MT to coding and I am looking forward to what the future brings. Best of luck to you!

According to MarketWatch, coding and billing is - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
listed as one of the top 10 careers that will increase due to all of the changes in healthcare. It's a good career to break in to.

Medical transcription is still being sold - as a great career!

[ In Reply To ..]
.

I would highly recommend.. - ordering

[ In Reply To ..]
the Laureen Blitz videos first or during the Module 1 as a side.

If will help tremendously understand how E/M works and how to code for it as well as oh.. everything! Take my word on it.. it's a strict college (in a good way)

Interesting ... - Wondering

[ In Reply To ..]
That was an interesting suggestion because (1) Andrews is not a college and (2) it does not cover E/M in Module 1.

It is always easier to learn something when you compare two different sets of resources. I just don't think anyone needs to feel that they must to buy videos before beginning Andrews.

Is what I - meant

[ In Reply To ..]
College in the general term, not literal. And E/M WILL be taught soon.

I'm saying to get a leg up and not get confused early on, I'd highly recommend the Blitz videos at your own leisure to help pass the CPC WHILE you are learning/taking the Andrews course.

This is someone who did both and passed the CPC exam.

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