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Medical Coding outside the US - sarah330

Posted: Sep 17, 2014

Hello! I am hoping someone can help me! I am currently a remote coder for a hospital in NC. I am going to be moving to Costa Rica next year and am trying to find a contract company that will allow me to work outside the US. When I started my search I didn't think it would be hard, I figured with remote positons becoming so popular it wouldn't matter what country I was working in as long as I can connect to the internet. Unfortunately, I've called and emailed many companies and they're all saying their employees need to be on US soil. Does anyone work for or happen to know of a company who would employ me, living in Costa Rica??

Thanks!

Sarah

Axjom maybe - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm not sure if they only offshore to India or not. There are quite a few who outsource to India, not sure about Costa Rica though. I have a friend who was in the Peace Corp. in Costa Rica. He said they have a good hospital system there, especially in the tourist areas. He was in the undeveloped jungle helping with a water run off system or something, but in the 2 years he was there he had to go to the hospital several times. If you can't find a US company that will offshore to you there, you might be able to work for one of the local hospitals. What part of Costa Rica are you going to? Location may be important, the last I knew, on some parts of the island there is no internet. Also, if you're moving there permanently, a local hospital might be a better long term choice.

You might also try Precyse, I heard they offshore coding, but I'm not sure where.

How would she be qualified to work - there??

[ In Reply To ..]
Nobody else in the world uses this kind of insurance-based coding and billing system. It is primarily built on Medicare, which is uniquely American.

They promote medical tourism - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
They see a growing number of U.S. Citizens as patients every year, and while I don't know for sure, it would make sense that they have something in place for that. If she is moving permanently she could learn the system they are currently using, it should be easy in comparison to ours.

Costa Rica is also supposed to be a hot spot - for retirement

[ In Reply To ..]
for Americans as the COL is low there. Stands to reason there would be older expats requiring medical care still under US auspices.

Could you explain further? - Wondering

[ In Reply To ..]
How would that work, exactly? Medicare does not usually pay for care outside the US and certain territories, and other insurers usually don't, either.

If non-Costa Rican citizens cannot get a job in Costa Rica, how would a healthcare facility be able to hire her? And don't you think that if there was a need for that type of coding, they would already have coders? Everyone is making it sound as if the natives are ignorant savages.

I thought it was about a U.S.citizen working - for a U.S. company

[ In Reply To ..]
offshore. I don't remember reading anything about the native people in this discussion.

Someone suggested she could work there - for a local hospital

[ In Reply To ..]
NM

Thank you for your response.. I will look into - sarah330

[ In Reply To ..]
Axiom. I have already tried Precyse with no luck. And I actually have been in contact with some that outsource to India, but they said they only employ people in the US and India. As far as working in Costa Rica goes, unless you are a Costa Rican citizen you cannot get a job there. And we will just have temporary residency at first, so that's unfortunately not an option.

I guess I'll just keep calling and emailing as many companies as I can, I'm determined to find one!

Check in Miami - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Since Costa Rica promotes medical tourism and Miami is not that far, there may be some business there that help with U.S. Citizens. If I find anything I'll let you know.

Thats a good idea! - sarah330

[ In Reply To ..]
I'll look into some companies down there. Yes, please do let me know if you find anything out about any companies. Thanks!

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