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MM coder training. - mt

Posted: Jun 27, 2014

Have you heard any more about whether MM will be offering the program again in July?

We probably wont even be done in July - East MT

[ In Reply To ..]
there were a lot of setbacks, as there can be with any maiden voyage. I'm honestly not sure at this time. The decision to not implement ICD10 was a huge shock not just to MM but every other coding program in the country. It seems like they are wanting to go forward, still sending out computers with the program and assigning work but on a less consistent basis than in the beginning. I can only speculate if they even plan on doing another class this year.

ICD-10 - Thoughts

[ In Reply To ..]
A lot of companies saw what they hoped was an opportunity to jump onto the ICD-10 train and leverage the presumed coding backlog that would result from it. "Hey! We're already doing your MT! You know us! We can save you from the upcoming disaster! We just won't tell you that our coders were trained 4 months ago and have no experience!!!"

In their case, I am sure it was a shock. More shock at losing the revenue they planned on, but not so much as wasted expense because they started so late in the game and with such disorganization, poor planning, and obvious lack of knowledge of the field that they couldn't have invested what they should have in it.

Studies of time requirements under both ICD-9 and ICD-10 are now showing that there is little difference for outpatient coding, but some (not a lot) for inpatient, and the inpatient may not be temporary. Facilities can and probably should adjust for that by expanding their own staffs.

With the added time until ICD-10 is implemented -- and there is doubt that it will be -- more facilities will be able to deal with this on their own.

If I were MM, I would not want to be producing more coders for whom there is no work, but loads of outside opportunities. Especially since your one year commitment is going to be up well before ICD-10 rolls around -- just in time for you to be snapped up by a better-paying facility or competitor. My guess is that their coding training program will not resume until much later, if ever. They don't need a lot of coders, just enough to do overflow for a few months, and that is probably the size of your class. They may have not planned to continue it.

I agree with all of your points made - East MT

[ In Reply To ..]
But I do believe they will tend to focus more on coding eventually. As we all know MT is fading fast and unless then come up with software comparable to to Dragon EHR they will have no options left and leave it all to Nuance. I think the rest of the year is shot as far as classes, for sure. I could be wrong, don't take it as the gospel, but it's just a feeling I get. I think they need to get this group of us and the other 20 non MTs they hired done and regroup on the whole program. As I have said here before, I love MM, it has always been a good company for me personally. I have had good supervisors, good accounts and nothing but help and support from everyone. I think they will pull through and hopefully kick it up a notch next near.

(let the flaming commence :D )

a soiurce - cj

[ In Reply To ..]
Can you site for these studies little difference in time requires. that is quite different from everything I have read and everything I have heard as a coder at a large hospital. We have been told repeatedly it will decrease productivity by as estimated 30% per coder. In our code, with over 50 coders, in our department, that is a massive decrease. But it may be a moot point, since as you say, it is looking more and more like it will not be implemented. It appears AHIMA are the only ones who are in favor of it!

Will you still get your MT job back if it doesn't - pan out? - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Or will you continue on, but at a regular coding school?

good question! - what happens then?

[ In Reply To ..]
It seems a big company sees dollar signs and decides to start a coding course, but are surprised when they are problems. I don't remember what they said about pay though. If it is performance based, I would be in trouble at first!

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