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

New Life - New life

Posted: May 25, 2015

Happy Memorial Day! I think I may be starting a new life for myself. I have been a medical transcriptionist for the past fourteen years for a neurologist. With his new EMR system he decided to do it himself. I have had an awful time trying to find a new job. These big companies are just brutal-on my self esteem as well. My husband is in the healthcare field and he mentioned to me coding and I had just been thinking to myself about what could I go back to school for but couldn't come up with anything. I don't think I could go back to a traditional school setting. I would lose my mind. I already have an Associates Degree in Office Administration with Certicates in Medical and Legal Secretarial. Then a friend of mine who is also a transcriptionist mentioned she was looking into coding. A former boss of hers mentioned the aapc courses to her, but I see the Andrews school is really mentioned with high regards here.

I have just started my research, but I just wanted to touch base with you all. Thanks for all of the information that I have already gathered from your posts!

Welcome! Lots of us former MTs are switching to coding as a new career - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I think it's a great idea. You're off to a good start in your research.

Good for you! - MT2Coder2

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Coding can be a very good choice. Just one word of warning ... as you may know from working for an office, small office "coding" is actually more billing than coding. It never really required a coder because the doctor did most of the coding. That is still true with EHRs. So, you need to look toward facility and hospital coding to improve your job prospects, or at least large surgical or specialty practices. You can do it with a CPC, but a CCS is going to give you more job options.

See the requirements to take the CCS exam. Also see the career map at www.ahima.org/careers (I think) to see where you can go with and from coding. You will want to understand that before our next regularly scheduled Gloom 'n' Doom announcement.

Also see the salary surveys on the AAPC and AHIMA websites. Just Google. That will give you some motivation.

Good for you! - LB

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I have been an MT for 17 years, but then our entire department got outsourced. I also have an Associates degree, but in physical therapy. So now I just started my coding classes with AHIMA and I am really enjoying them. I think it is a good transition to go from MT to coding. Let us know which school you decide on.

Best of luck to you. - see msg

[ In Reply To ..]
As someone who has taken the AAPC course, I'd not recommend it unless you're able to take it in a classroom with an instructor, which will usually take 16 weeks. Doing it on your own is very hard and will cost you more for each additional month you need if you don't finish in 4 months. It's quite challenging.

Thank You - New Life

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Thank you for the encouragement! I believe I am going to do it. I have done a lot of research and I talked directly with someone from aapc and I feel comfortable with them. I highly considered Andrews, but I'm afraid I just don't have the year it takes. As for a traditional school environment, our local community college has a coding program, but I have already been through that with my associates degree and I detest learning that way. I love to learn, but hate to have to be stuck in a chair for hours listening to an instructor making something interesting boring. I know myself and I just don't learn food that way. Plus my husband had a strong medical background so I have him and all of his medical books for back up!

I have decided to go with the CPC first and then go next for the CIC, which is inpatient hospital coding. Also aapc has an additional program that takes the A for apprentice off of your credentials and gives you one year of work credit.

I am also going to take the medical terminology and anatomy class first. I went to the AHIMA site and couldn't tell if (if I pass everything of course) I might be able to sit for the CCS exam at some point? This is just me trying to gather information. Thank you for your patience!

Answers - see msg

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Could you sit for the CCS, or any AHIMA exam, at some point? Sure, but it will have nothing to do with an AAPC course. You will need two years of inpatient coding experience to sit for the CCS. Anyone can sit for it with two years of experience. The AAPC courses will not give you the required material (the prerequisites) for the AHIMA exams. (Andrews will, though.)

You need to be aware that the unemployment rate for new CPCs is about 25 to 10%. You also need to be aware that the CIC is a new credential that employers have no knowledge of. Also that inpatient coding is controlled mostly by AHIMA-affiliated departments and members who simply do not accept AAPC credentials. I would not waste time on it.

If you doubt what credentials are required, simply look at what HIM staffing companies require. RHIA, RHIT, CCS.

Once you add up the cost and time required for the the med terms course, the A&P course, the CPC course, and then the CIC ... and you left out the COC, which is actually worthwhile ... and the books, and once you consider that you STILL do not have pathophysiology, reimbursement methods, pharmacology, lab & path, etc., you would have done better to attend Andrews.

If all you want to do is outpatient coding, the CPC is fine. The AAPC course is fine. But, get a couple of books and study med terms and A&P ... and pathophysiology ... on your own.

It just becomes silly when you plan on doing this, that, the other, then the "additional program," then something else, etc. You will end up racking up $$$ with a lot of reasons to stay unemployed.

Remember, too, every year you are NOT a CCS and employed in well-paying coding, you lose money. Theses background knowledge you have, the less you make. Keep that in mind when you rationalize the plan to work for two years to take the CCS, etc.

Thanks! - New life

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks for all the information. I actually looked at all the job ads in the surrounding towns within a 150 mile radius around me and the CPC credential was mentioned in about 90-95% of all of them. Then I called and spoke with the Human Resources Education Director at a local hospital here in town and he said that I was definitely on the right track to work there. They hired CPC's right away, especially with my background. He also knew about the CIC and the COC. Incidentally, he had never heard of the Andrews School. He did say that the credential from either organization was good. And that I would need to be preparing myself for ICD-10. I also checked with a very large hospital about 80 miles away and the same thing in regards to the CPC credential. So I feel confident that the choice I am making at this time is the right one for me in my circumstances and in my area. I really appreciate the information, concerns, and well wishes!

The problem with CPCs generally not being able to find jobs - See message

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There is a huge problem that is apparent when you go to forums, of CPCs being unable to get jobs. Some do. You mentioned Andrews. I'm on a forum were several Andrews graduates have great jobs that they got because of their CPCs, but many others keep asking why nobody will hire them. It has nothing to do with someone knowing anything about the school they attended. It's their ability to pass employment tests, which are generally harder than the CPC exam itself. Lots of employers are generous about telling coders they would certainly love to have them apply for work there. They just don't hire them once they do apply. An effusive HR director is no guarantee of a job. The ability to pass the employment test and actually keep that job is the only thing that is important, and a huge number of intelligent, highly motivated CPCs come nowhere near being able to pass those tests or do what is required to keep those jobs if somehow they get one. I definitely wish you the very best. I'm afraid that you may be misinterpreting the results of your research. For your sake, I hope that your skills will be exceptional, because most in your situation are not. Fixing an incomplete coding education is like trying to put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

Thanks again - New Life

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks again for your concern. Yes I have read all of these forums you are mentioning and I have seen people with both credentials looking for jobs actually. Nevermind, I feel at peace with my decision and I feel I need to concentrate on being positive and on my learning as much as possible now and, as I and many others I know have had to do with mtstars when it came to medical transcription, I believe I will need to do the same with medical coding, so I am going to leave it behind me, as it tends to leave a big, dark cloud hanging over my head when I get off of it. So thanks for everyones time and good luck!

Splain this to me, Lucy ... - Coder

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These are things I don't understand ... how can someone look at two courses, one of which takes 4 months and the other at least 12, and come away with the difference being that one just takes too long? Or costs more. Why does no one seem to notice that the short one is shorter because it contains less than 1/3 of the other? Why do they never notice that it doesn't cost less at all?

And why do people always believe that the nice man at the local hospital knows what he is talking about? Especially when he just works in HR? And even if he did work in HIM, that he is doing anything more than being nice and avoiding saying something that could come back to haunt him? Why do they always seem to think the job is as good as guaranteed? Even if they have no experience???

For that matter, why do they not understand that they have to finish the school first, and pass a certification exam that has a considerable failure rate, and pass an employment test? Why do they not even know what the failure rate is???

And why do they believe everything the SALESperson at the AAPC said, but are overcome with paranoid fears of scams and ripoffs on hearing the recommendations of experienced professionals? How does that happen??? Like some kind of cosmic suspension of disbelief.

Why do they ask for advice in the first place when they already made up their mind?

I guess the Black Cloud of Doom *is* our fault. We should just say "Yeah, sure!" Like the guys at the hospitals.

then why do they even have CPC? - query

[ In Reply To ..]
If it does no one any good and no one ever gets jobs and/or can't keep the jobs once they get them, why bother even?

My first thoughts on your question from what I've seen - sm

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I've probably seen hundreds of CPC-A's who took a course that was supposed to prepare them for the CPC. It did. They passed it. Unfortunately for them, it still didn't teach them at the level the employers require. The employers either tested them and they couldn't pass the test or they already know that people who graduate from a short CPC course just don't really have the skills required to do the job.

well then I'm just wasting my time - and money

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I was led to believe the CPC is how many coders started out. It's a good thing I stand to inherit, isn't it? (I am not the original poster)

We did not lead you to believe that. - Coder

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You did not get that recommendation here.

It *is* how many coders start out. That does not mean it is the best way to start out.

yes I did - sm

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last year I was on this forum saying that at my age I was daunted by the prospect of obtaining a CCS, and was told that many on this forum started out as CPC.

Would you share the link to that post, please? - sm

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I want to see what we said.

Allot of coders do start out that way and some never get anything else, but I don't think that is a recommendation.

If there's a way - I dont know what it is

[ In Reply To ..]
if there is a way to find posts from a year ago, I don't know what it is, but I'm sure I would just be told I misunderstood. It's fine. I'm happy to be getting my CPC. I probably just won't hang out here with all you CCS's though.

Not the person you're talking to, but most of the CCS coders here are also CPCs - Having Both is Better Than 1

[ In Reply To ..]
I think you'll find that most of the coders here have both CPC and CCS, so we wouldn't all answer to "you CCS's." I hope you stay. These are discussions, good discussions, worth having. They keep people from wasting time and money on training decision mistakes. I don't agree with everything posted on here; nobody does. Enjoy what you enjoy on here, ignore what you want to ignore, and learn from some of it that might not be what you like to hear, but is helpful.

why did you bother - with the CPC?

[ In Reply To ..]
just wondering.

Very good reason to have the CPC as long as you also have the CCS - Having Both is Better Than 1

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A course that teaches comprehensive medical coding, both outpatient and inpatient, is more thorough. It shows employers that you didn't just settle for a basic coding course that means they will have to teach you to code. You can hit the ground running. It shows the employers that you are able to do anything that needs done. Having both increases your knowledge of A&P, pathology, pharmacology, and the entire healthcare system, not just one sector of it. As someone who can do all of it, I have more job options available and do a better job than if I hadn't had solid training in both. There are more reasons as well, but this is long enough.

I'm sure you're right - so tell me

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Did you start out with your CPC and then get your CCS, which Coder says is impossible to do and everyone claims should not be done? or did you get your CCS and then sit for the CPC?

Look I don't have to justify my choice to you, but I will tell you this. I am going to learn coding this fall in a continuing ed program that is highly respected in my community. I won a $1000 scholarship from Dr. Pepper and that is what I chose to use it for. The scholarship can't be used at the Almighty Andrews. It could be used toward the RHIT program at the same school where I am going to study for the CPC. This program also has a strong emphasis in coding and its graduates can sit for the CCS. However, that is a 2-year program during the day, and I can't do that right now because I am working. Furthermore, I am 56 years old and do not have the same career aspirations I had when I was 35. I'm starting to think about retiring. So before you judge, those are the facts.

Andrews recommends the CPC first, then the CCS - see message

[ In Reply To ..]
You've described your situation well. No stones being lobbed from here. I don't think it's necessary for you to make the insult about Andrews, because they didn't put you in this situation. I will tell you that Andrews always recommends to all of us that we take the CPC exam right after we finish that part of the course which is after finishing Module 3. Then the last part of the course is the CCS prep. You graduate. You take the CCS exam. A couple of current students just got coding jobs before even getting their CPC, but they tested really well and had exceptional skills. So it is possible. If you look at all the forums and blogs you can see that there are too many people getting hurt because the training they are getting just isn't enough. I'll take your word for it that the one in your community is an exception. The CPC is easier to prepare for than the CCS anyway, so there's hope there. It depends on who does their training, of course. Also, find out what the results of their training has been. Ask them to let you talk to some of their graduates who got that CPC and see if they found work. It sounds like you're in that program regardless and don't really have any other good options, but if you do, asking can't hurt. That's what I would recommend, and I really hope you are successful. Please don't hold it against Andrews students and graduates who post that they love their school and did well in it. They didn't put you in this spot and most of us would help get you out of it if we had the power. Good luck!

Well I apologize - see message

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People were saying the CPC was not a good thing to get and it really upset me. I'm not sure what spot you think I need help getting out of though.

Understood. No problem, but we are running out of room - No room for more comments here

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I think we have worn this thread out. We'll have to start another one or continue the conversation attached to another thread. I understand that you were reacting to points other people made. We're all in a spot of one sort or another. If we like the spot we are in, that should be enough. It doesn't matter what others think. There will still be conversation warning people who may not be so happy in one spot or another, based on experience with people who have said they were unhappy being in that spot, not being able to get a certain credentials or a better job. If you are happy with the spot you're in, I'm happy for you. Ending here before we are into the next county with this thread.

No one said that! No one said that! - No one said that!

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No one said that! Other responses told you that, yet you continue to make that claim.

Why? Why would you need, or want, to continue arguing using something you knew was untrue?

Sorry, but I DID NOT SAY THAT! - Stop misquoting me, please.

[ In Reply To ..]
I never said this: "Did you start out with your CPC and then get your CCS, which Coder says is impossible to do and everyone claims should not be done?"

I would not have said it, because I got the CPC and then the CCS.

What SEVERAL of us told you was that it is difficult to find training for just the CCS. Hence, if you take a short course for just the CPC thinking that you will get the CPC, get a job, and then take another course for the CCS, you will find that YOU HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING OVER ANYWAY.

Of course, that is not going to happen to you because you will have none of that scholarship left to pay for that RHIT program after finishing your highly respected community CPC course.

I do not know of any RHIT programs that require full time day attendance on campus.

All right you didn't say it was impossible. - see message

[ In Reply To ..]
I stand corrected. You did say that one would have to start all over, and I honestly did not realize that, but my original question was WHY do they even have the CPC, if no one can get a job with it, or if they get the job, they can't keep the job? It doesn't matter because I have decided not to use the scholarship money on the CPC course. Thank you so much for enlightening me. I WAS excited about it and proud to have been accepted but now I'm not (and especially since you are so very sure it's not highly respected in my community, and that they only want to take my money). I'm going to take folk dancing or basket weaving or something. It's only a thousand bucks which would not get me far in the RHIT program, which costs about $8000. I have no interest in doing it, either. It's the RHIT program at Tarrant County College. It's an associate's degree, and yes, many if not all classes are at the facility, during the day. I do have the English and other basics, so it may not have taken quite two years, but it's pretty intense.

See link to that program, and a note about - "accreditation"

[ In Reply To ..]
Nothing wrong with that, but it is CPC-only. Outpatient, in other words.

Just to be clear, the AAPC does NOT accredit any courses. The course page claims they do, but they do not.

If this is the AAPC course itself that an AAPC certified instructor is providing, be aware that the failure rate on the CPC for students in that kind of course is 20%. And that does not include students who dropped out.

You might want to ask about that before you start, so you can see exactly what you need to do to stay in it and pass that

We understand why you would want to use your scholarship money, but be aware that we do not believe that limits your opportunities because we have all been there and paid for our own education. It is possible to do this.

You can do an RHIT program entirely online from any number of very good colleges. It is not necessary to pay that much or sit in classes there for two or three years.

You have lots of company - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
You have lots of company thinking that the CPC is a quick and easy way to get a coding career started. Nothing is ever that simple, but it sounds good while you are still a student.

well fine then - bye bye

[ In Reply To ..]
up until this moment I felt welcome on this board.

Of course you are welcome here - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
The fact that you have lots of company of people who think (thought) the same way you do (did) doesn't mean you aren't welcome. Of course you are welcome! Certainly I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I hope you will stay, discuss things, and all of us can learn from each other.

The point is not personal but just a statement of fact - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
The point in question isn't personal. It's a statement of fact that if you visit most medical coding forums and blogs you will find multitudes of CPCs who can't find jobs. They were under the impression that if they got that CPC, they would be getting job offers, and most are not. A few are. Those who are got better and more thorough training than the short courses offer. That isn't an insult to you because we don't know you. I don't know if you are the OP or not. It doesn't matter. I don't even know if you are a student at all, or if you are enrolled in a quickie course or a very solid, thorough one. None of us knows anything about you and what training you have, plan to have, or are in the middle of right now. The fact is, the qualify of the training makes the difference, and graduates of short CPC courses usually don't make the cut.

CCS - Dazed and confused

[ In Reply To ..]
The CCS is considered master level coding. Andrews grads appear to pass it directly out of school with no work experience but I'm not sure it's that easy; AHIMA recommends work experience. I do think the CCS is the credential you need rather than the CIC. The. CPC is fine but your employment choices will be limited. Don't ask your husband for help unless you want to be confused, I would recommend a college A & P class with labs such as what is taught in nursing programs. I'm a hands on learner and it helps me to do things in person. Good luck.

Thoughts on that. - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
The CCS was a beast of an exam. I have taken and passed a bunch of them, but I have to say that the CCS is no picnic. There is a reason about half the takers fail it.

Andrews grads pass it because they are super well-Prepared. Yes, AHIMA recommends work experience, but judging by the outrageous failure rate, it does not help much. It can even make things worse by giving you time and opportunity to acquire the errors of your co-workers and the quirks of facility policies, not to mention insurer and Medicare requirements, and utter blindness to the fact that you went off track.

Something important to keep in mind ... certification exams test things as they are in the textbooks. They are based on the official rules that go with ICD, CPT, and HCPCS. Those are in the code books, Coding Clinic, and CPT Assistant. They also require you to use code books.

If your course is taught by an employer or someone who doesn't know this, or by a school whose materials are crammed full of errors, or you learned on the job in a doctor's office, you are unlikely to pass any exam. If you use an encoder in your course, or an online code lookup, or you stopped using code books because you have software at work, you won't be able to flip pages effectively enough to pass a test. You will not be able to find what you need.

That is why we recommend certain schools ... they teach by the book. That is why you can pass exams when you finish them.

It's a shame all this good advice will likely be ignored. - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

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In my 3 years here at Nuance they have taught me the greatest lessons in frustration and humility I have ever experienced. They have forced me to learn how to be frugal and thrifty. They have taught me to earn extra income and streamline my life through selling a life’s worth of memories and tchotchkes by having rummage sales. They have taught me that you can find not only fashion, style and quality, but even designer clothing at Goodwill. They have taught me that paying cash is way bette ...

Apr 24, 2015

I loved the company I worked for before IMedX took over. I type clinic notes, which is supposed to be Monday through Friday. But IMedX has come along and changed the rules. Doesn't matter that the clinics aren't even open on the weekend. Any work that comes in on Friday must be done by Saturday. I got away from acute care and into clinic notes specifically so that I wouldn't have to work on the weekends. I do actually have a life outside of work. &nb ...

Jun 13, 2015

It just seems to me that many MTs spend the majority of their lives worrying about the next bad thing that their employer is going to do to them. No solution. It just occurred to me that a lot of lives are gettng wasted hour by hour because of employer abuse or perceived employer abuse. Your choice. ...

Nov 11, 2009

Didn't just wipe it down, like I usually do...this time I took it apart (it was disgusting in there -- I know how all the food & coffee got in there, but what about that enormous wad of dog hair???) popped off all the keys & cleaned them with detergent, cleaned in, around, under keyboard cover. Let everything dry overnight, put it all back together & voila! Feels incredible. I had no idea everything was so gunked up. (Hint: I took some little snaps ...

May 21, 2010

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Dec 10, 2010

Softscript was the worst experience of my life. Their software sucks - just about all applications within their program are slow, slow, slow - couldn't get any lines. Go figure. Do not waste your time with this company. ...

Jan 16, 2012

Once you learn coding, it's fun! I've done so many other jobs in my life that I can't even count them. I can't think of many that were actually fun, but I think coding is. ...

Jan 27, 2012

If I read along regularly and reply only sporadically, who the heck is following my posts enough to stalk me? Really? ...

Nov 17, 2012

These dictators should be fined for their horrible English language ability. ...