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

Question for coders... - sm

Posted: May 20, 2013

I'm currently an MT for many years, in the process of enrolling to take a coding program at a community college (waitlisted at the moment). I've done much research before making this decision, but have never spoken to someone who actually works in coding. I have some general questions regarding what you think of the profession -- do you like your job? If so, what is it that you like? Do you find it at all monotonous or is there some variety in what you do? I wonder if it may be like transcription in that some days are monotonous while others are filled with more variety. Any information/opinions you are willing to share are greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your time.

Just a clarification... - sm (OP)

[ In Reply To ..]
I just wanted to clarify something from my original post. I didn't mean to imply that transcription is anything like coding, per se, as they are very different professions, but just wondered if, like transcription, coding is at times monotonous, or if there is much variety in that career, enough to keep it interesting. Thank you so much for all of your responses. I appreciate you taking the time to provide your input.

Just my humble opinion . . . - www

[ In Reply To ..]
I think in many ways coding and transcription ARE alike. They both require you to be self-motivated and to work with very little supervision. They require a lot of sitting and very little interaction with people during the day (if you work remotely). You have to be able to meet deadlines. It can be stressful. All of this you have experienced already, as a transcriptionist. I believe coding and transcription can be equally monotonous depending on the work you are doing. I also think that you sound like a person who really enjoys working in the HIM field, and will probably do really well as a coder.

I do think there is more chance for advancement with coding. And I have noticed my carpal tunnel pain is now in a different location. ;) Good luck to you!

Personally, if you can find transcription interesting (and really, a lot of transcriptionists don't), I think you have what it takes to also find coding interesting. Not everyone can do what we do.

Thank you for the encouragement. - sm - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
I do enjoy working in HIM very much. MT has allowed me to put my OCD tendencies to good use (LOL), and I think coding will provide the same. I do like the idea of having a career with the possibility of advancement, something I haven't found in my work as an MT since I'm not interested in either supervisory or QA roles, etc.

My Opinion - RHIA, CCS, CCS-P

[ In Reply To ..]
I, personally, never found coding to be monotonous, nor have I ever heard a coder say that it was monotonous. I think it could become boring if all you were doing was plopping the same codes onto the same services day in and day out, but moving on to something more challenging would be possible.

There is a lot about coding that changes. There are, for instance, code changes every year that you will have to keep up with, both in books, your head, and whatever software you use. Medicare has reams of rules, regulations, and policies to keep up with. The volume of policies and changes is so huge that it forms the basis of some coders' jobs. Large facilities may employ someone to do just that.

There are also different types of coding. Some are easier than others, more involved, require more background knowledge. Some deal with one service while others require putting entire hospital stays together. Most coders only have to deal with one set of rules, others with insurers as well, and some with even more.

There is also a wide variety of positions that require and use coding knowledge, but which do not involve actually coding encounters. Coders often move into those as their experience, interests, and skills permit. Right now, you might see coding as the typical "coder" job, but there is more than that.

Fantastic. Thank you for your input. - sm - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
That's just what I was hoping for. My little knowledge (basic really) of what a coder does in a day led me to believe that my new career choice may become boring, but I see from your response that that isn't necessarily so.

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