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

MTs transformed into coders getting jobs . . . - MTAM

Posted: Oct 12, 2012

How is the transition from working at home going back into the work force outside of the home? Are you planning on telecommuting once you get your 3 years experience? How are the salaries compared to MT?

"Once you get your 3 years experience"? - What requirement is that?

[ In Reply To ..]
Where are you getting that there is a 3 year requirement for this, or anything, in coding?

Salaries are generally much better. Income levels vary by type of work, credentials, and education. Suggest you consult the salary surveys on the AAPC and AIMA websites. Each organization does one yearly.

Telecommuting - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
Not every employer lets coders telecommute, and it won't be your decision. I transitioned from MT to coding but I have never worked at home and never wanted to. I definitely need to be on site job with a set schedule, I am paid an hourly rate. I don't understand the 3 years of experience, I have never heard that before.

3 years . . . - MTAM

[ In Reply To ..]
So you CAN get hired to telecommute fresh out of school?

Whether you can or cannot is not the question - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
It is unlikely that you would, but that is not the question. I am wondering why you seem to think ethere is some kind of "3-year" requirement.

To my knowlledge, here isn't any "standard" 3-year rule. Where did you get that?

Not sure why you are so confused? It's been discussed here... - Anon

[ In Reply To ..]
that it's rare for coders to be able to work remotely unless they have a few years' experience.

Here's just one example of a company requiring 3 years' experience:
http://forum.mtstars.com/426694.html

Well, I am not confused about this. See Msg. - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
OK, I don't want inquiring coders to be misled by this. This is not something that should be grounds for an argument or accusations that a coder is confused about his or her own industry.

I think the objection was to the statement that implied 3 years of experience were required to work remotely. THERE IS NO SUCH "RULE" OR EXPECTATION IN CODING. Employers vary widely in their expectations about experience and credentials.

The post you referenced does not say that 3 years of experience are required before they let you work remotely . . . it says that THEY WILL NOT HIRE YOU AT ALL until you have 3 years of INPATIENT experience. Those are two completely different things.

You cannot extend that to assume that all employers require coders to have 3 years of experience before working remotely.

Many employers, in fact, will not allow a new hire, even a highly experienced one, to work remotely until they have worked on site for some period of time. I have seen new, but dual-certified, coders be offered remote jobs right away or offered an on-site job and then moved to remote in just a few months. I have seen experienced, certified coders who were NEVER able to work remotely.

The whole point here is to offer accurate information to help people who are inquiring about coding. Wouldn't it be better to leave the coding advice to people who understand their industry? To coders?

THANK YOU ANON AND CODER - MTAM

[ In Reply To ..]
I knew I hadn't imagined all that. Thanks for helping me clarify. I don't know why I am dragging my feet as I am burned out on the MT field, but for some reason (perhaps $$??) I am afraid to take that next step into coding although I have done it before (remote past) and loved it then.

I think you should go for it... - MT

[ In Reply To ..]
especially since you loved it before. Good luck, and sorry you didn't get more answers to your actual questions. Wish I could help, coding is something I'm considering as an option too.

Actual answers - MT2Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
I was thrilled to be able to work in a professional environment again, to work with people, to interact with healthcare providers, and TO FEEL APPRECIATED. It is a blessing not to have to stay cooped up at home. I am happy to be able to wear nice clothes to work. I never want to work at home again.

The OP was already directed to see the salary surveys on the AAPC and AHIMA websites. Those pretty much say it all. Pay in coding is very good. It increases with the difficulty of the work and other factors.

I am actually almost thinking I would enjoy that . . . - MTAM

[ In Reply To ..]
I miss dressing up and feeling like a professional!!! I also don't feel like people take me all that seriously anymore . . .

They will take you seriously in coding - MT2Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
They will take you seriously in coding and in all fields related to it.

You can also GO SOMEWHERE from a base in coding. You can start out with coding, then go for advanced credentials in coding specialties, for credentials in things like clinical documentation improvement, or even online programs in health informatics/health information administration through a school like Western Governors University (it's not a diploma mill!). If you have a bachelor's already, you can do an online postbaccalaureate certificate in health information administration like the one at the University of Toledo, that only takes about a year.

Lots of places to go from a base in coding.

The job market looks good, too, especially with the upcoming switch from ICD-9 to ICD-10 in October of 2014, which is expected to increase demand for coders over the already increasing demand. There are already coders moving into ICD-10 implementation positions, leaving front line positions open for new coders.

I think coding is a great doorway into a fairly wide career field. Do some more investigation into that field and I think you'll see that it might be a good fit for your existing skills.

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