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I want to consider going to Andrews for their coding program - I think the cost is very reasonable

Posted: Apr 27, 2015

and I think I'd enjoy the job (after researching for the past year). I really want to do something interesting for the rest of my working life (and still have a career rather than just a job like I do now), but now I'm starting to wonder if I am too old at 58. I guess I'd get through the schooling in about 12 months, then take the CCS exam (takes time?) and then I say give myself up to a year to find a job (??). That would mean I could be pushing 60 when I began.

Anyone else start a coding career as late in life as this and be successful?

Thanks in advance for any info or advice. I really would appreciate it.

You are definitely not too old for a coding career - Good Question!

[ In Reply To ..]
I don't know if you've heard or not, but 58 is the new 48, and 58 is definitely not too old. I think it's amusing that you would even think that. Good luck with your new career choice!

58 is 58 - Do the math

[ In Reply To ..]
It is not 48.

To the Op - Do what is right for you

[ In Reply To ..]
I am not going to say that you are too old to start over in a new career but as I am 60 my experience is that 60 does not feel like 50, it feels like 60. I'm planning to retire at 65 or maybe sooner and I couldn't see myself out pounding the pavement looking for jobs at my age. Going to Andrews will probably give you an advantage but it's not easy to pass the CCS and even though we never read it here, even Andrews must have some graduates who struggled to pass those exams and find jobs. Something you need to think about is return on your investment not only in salary compensation but in professional memberships and dues that you will pay for the rest of your working career. Coders are in demand, but in general 60 something's don't get hired, employers generally don't like to teach someone the ropes only to have them leave in a couple of years. I hate to let an elephant out of the closet but coding is changing just as MT did; I now see TV ads for the matchbook schools and unfortunately outsourcing and automation are a reality. That's my perspective as an older former MT/coding student who works in HIM but not as a coder who has gone through the job interview process. Best wishes and good luck.

You've made some good points, but discussing it furthr - Elephant out of the closet

[ In Reply To ..]
You've made an excellent point that when hiring people to work in an office, the people hiring for most jobs tend to want to hire people who look just like them. If they are 30ish, they want to hire 30ish people. In most medical coding sections, you'll see things trending a little older than in most general offices. That may be because credentials are so highly valued in coding. Since most coding departments hire medical coders with the intention of sending them home to work after orientation, age is not an issue. If you are trying to get a job in a doctor's office, and I don't know why anyone would, because they don't pay, you will have to meet the age bracket set by the age of the office manager. When I hire, I look for maturity, whether that's in a younger or older person. As long as they have that CCS and a pleasant personality, age is not important to me.

Negatives: Show me a group of young candidates and I'll show you some that are not focused on their work. Social media is their life, and they just have to get work out of the way to get back to it. Worst case scenario for an older person is when they keep talking about their age as if that were something I need to know about, which I don't. Just keep it to yourself, get that CCS, and move forward. You're going to be the same age whether or not you learn something new. It's beautiful to see people who continue learning throughout their entire lives. Most people respect that.

Stop stereotyping...... - Grrrrrr

[ In Reply To ..]
Stop stereotyping younger people in order to make yourself feel better.

You sure wouldn't like to be stereotyped as an old biddy with arthritis who is too stubborn to learn anything new. So you don't need to stereotype younger people as unfocused and obsessed with social media.

And to all you 58 is the new 48 people...grow up and accept life. You are 58- quick to criticize the youth but not quick enough to avoid stupid sayings. 58 is 58.

I am 30, that is not the new 20, it is 30.

Hope I'm driving your karma bus. - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
xxx

Err, not quite ... and just you wait, dearie! - Just you wait! Hahaha!

[ In Reply To ..]
Actually, no, improved health, better nutrition, and different lives have insulted in people living longer and staying "younger."

The beliefs we had about how long someone could or should work come from past times. In 1900, life expectancy was only 47.6 for whites and 33.0 years for blacks. In 1929, it had gone up to 58.6 and 46.7. In 1959, it was 70.5 and 65.4. In 1989, it was 75.9 and 68.8. In 2010, it was 78.9 and 75.1.

So, in 1900, you were worn out at 40, or dead. A person's working life was short. In the 50's, it was longer, but that was when people had the idea of retirement at 50 ... because people were worn out by then.

People don't wear out as fast today, especially if they don't smoke, drink excessively, or live hard lives. A lot of you on this list can expect to live into your 90s.

Yes, 60 is the new 40 because life expectancy today gives us more good years.

If you are healthy, there is no reason you should not work a long as you choose.

As for you, Miss 30, you are going to be our age before you realize it. You will be shocked at how fast it happens. You are already considered long in the tooth by men. In ten years, you will be experiencing age discrimination. In twenty, you will be struggling to get and keep jobs, as twits in their 20's and 30's try to shove you out. In thirty, no one will want you, possibly even your own family.

Is that the karma bus? Yes, because you are insensitive today and you are perpetuating ageism and discrimination. You are causing the very things that will affect you in the future. What you sow, you will reap.

YES! Love it...So true, and this is what I was thinking - about this obnoxious poster...

[ In Reply To ..]
High Five to you!

I could not have said it better myself.

58 years is 58 years - Grrrrr

[ In Reply To ..]
Life expectancy is not the issue. The issues are math, and stereotyping younger people in order to feel better about yourselves.

58 years = 58 years period.

Furthermore, I've been married for 8 years so I don't care about how men perceive my 30 years. Once again you have proven that maturity doesn't come with age.

60 is 60, not 40 - Old and tired

[ In Reply To ..]
i am 60, 6-0, I am not 40, and I am not 50. I have never smoked or drank, but menopause does things to a persons body. I'm not worn out but I sure as heck don't want to be working when I'm 80, which is what, the new 60? It's silly way to get people to feel better about getting older. If we follow that logic, 0 is the new 10 and 10 is the new 20. There is no turning back the clock, deal with it.

I'm the OP- Thanks for that...gives me more to - consider. A lot of

[ In Reply To ..]
what you say I have been worried about. I mean, the other poster is right...58 IS 58. Saying it "feels" like the new "48" is fine and well when you are talking about how you look/feel, but the retirement age/age at which employers aren't interested anymore is pretty much the same. I am going to take a little more time to think about what to do. I appreciate ALL opinions and advice here. Thanks so much.

I say go for it!!! Good luck to you! - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
x

I had the same fear when I first applied to Andrews. sm - Laurie G.

[ In Reply To ..]
I spoke to Linda about it, and she was very reassuring that I'm not too old. That means you're not too old either, as we're the same age. The course is tough and there have been a few bumps in the road (family health problems, etc.), but I'm more than halfway through the course now. I say, "Go for it!"

CCS - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
The CCS exam is given by a testing company, so you can schedule it at your convenience. I've scheduled AHIMA exams for the next weekend, two days later.

The CPC is the one you have to wait for. Local chapters offer it a few times a year, so you may need to wait until the next time.

We have hired coders, even new ones, in their 60s. The average age of coders is higher than you would think. Maturity and stability is valued in coding. There is also a shortage.

What would you be doing if you did not do coding? Keeping your brain active learning and solving problems, in other words, learning coding, is going to keep your brain from deteriorating.

Instead of seeing coding as an expense that might not pay off (that can turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy!), see it as brain training, therapy, a hobby, or even entertainment. It is a lot better than golf, mindless eating, reading romance novels, and sitting around doing nothing. It will give you a goal to work toward.

Coding is better than golf? - Think again

[ In Reply To ..]
Please explain how sitting at a desk is better than being out in the fresh air getting exercise. You've obviously never played.

I think she means as far as working your BRAIN - Golf is nice but it doesnt

[ In Reply To ..]
really work your brain. Golf isn't going to help prevent things like dementia and Alzheimer's. Yes, exercise helps but how much exercise can you get hitting a ball into a hole? No offense.

to CS question - whatzaraze

[ In Reply To ..]
You seem very knowledgeable and non-judgmental like some of the people on here. I am also 58 and about to break out my books and schedule the CPC exam for perhaps June. Am I seeing the price correct as $399 or $299 if you join AHIMA? This is a dumb question I thought I saw somewhere that you can get a second opportunity if you fail the first one for a lesser amount. (really have to scrape this money up lol)

Which exam??? - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
The AAPC CPC exam is 325, one free retake is allowed within a year, and you must be a member to take it. Student membership is 70, regular is 125.

The AHIMA CCS is 399 nonmembers, 299 members, and membership is 175. No free or discounted retakes. There is a list of requirements you must meet to qualify to take it.

If you have not been prepared for the CCS *specifically*, do not attempt it. You WILL fail. It is a very difficult exam.

If you do not have any certifications yet, take the CPC first. That will help you get used to the types of questions on the exams in a low-pressure situation. (Since you get one free retake, there is nothing to worry about.) After you pass that one, and after inpatient training, take the CCS.

thanks for info - whatszraze

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks for taking the time to write all that .. Def asking about the CPC. Thought I had seen somewhere about the retake...jobs I have seen are asking for CPC so that's what I will try for.

Wow that last part you talk about really strikes a cord - with me (I am the OP)

[ In Reply To ..]
That is something to think about, especially since my mom has early dementia. I think dementia and Alzheimer's are just about the worst thing that can happen to someone, having seem what it did to my mom. She took an early retirement, sat around doing nothing, and was diagnosed at only 66 with dementia. She now is dependent on me for EVERYTHING. Thanks for pointing that out...really makes me think.....

Too old? - ANONMTTOCODER

[ In Reply To ..]
You are NOT TOO OLD. I turned 59 last November and I started coding school this past March. I figure the same time line for "starting my career". 60 is the new 40 !!! Go for it. And, by the way, yes, Andrews is the way to go. Your MT experience will help you greatly with terminology and anatomy, etc. Good luck to you and DO IT!!!

Coding is one place age does not - seem to matter

[ In Reply To ..]
If you know how to code, they want you. If you need to work for a while longer, why not? Do you want to learn something new, I mean are you mentally prepared to do the work? It is not a piece of cake, so you have to be ready. If you learn it, get your credential(s), people will hire you. Then later, near retirement, if you just want to cut down on hours, you will have a good way to make excellent extra money working part time.

What about training for coding - at 64.

[ In Reply To ..]
Money for school and tests is not a problem. I simply want to stay in the workforce as along as I can, and for sure staying an MT is NOT the way to go. PS, I do have a BS in math and an MS in Industrial Engineering, so school is not a new idea to me.

Go for it! - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
You should have no difficulty whatsoever. Coding is not "math-y," but you should have great categorizing ability, be able to juggle lots of info, rules, and conditions, and be able to soak stuff up like a sponge. I would bet that you can compete a program like Andrews in 6 to 9 months, or the AAPC CPC course in half the time.

You can - Tgirl

[ In Reply To ..]
Hey, I think you can do this. I just turned 53. I have been an MT for about 13 years really want to do something else interesting too that is related to the field. I'm doing Career Step's program which is a great, so go for it!

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