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Thinking about coding from prior billing experience - Ex-biller


Posted: Jan 24, 2012

Here goes,

I used to do billing for 10 years but always in the setting of medical offices (PCP, ortho, PT/OT) and also at a medical supply company. I've also been doing MTing during this same time and presently.

I haven't done any billing in approximately 2 yrs, so I know that I'm a bit behind as to how the insurance companies are processing claims, and I realize those rules change pretty frequently, especially coding rules pertaining to Medicare/Medicaid. I also have experience with VA billing and Workers' Compensation. I'm very familiar with ICD-9 coding but realize that's been updated to ICD-10 now, so I will need some updating for that.

My question is...how hard is it to get into inpatient/hospital coding from where I'm at? I know that my local hospital requires some sort of certification (min CCS, but pushes for RHIA, RHIT, CCA, CCS, CPC-A, CPC-H or CPC within two (2) years of hire). Do you think I should just start from scratch or perhaps go for the "advanced" courses?

 

Thanks for any info.

I have done both billing and coding - see message

[ In Reply To ..]
The exposure to coding that one has while doing billing is maybe at the 5% level of a medical coder. You need to start from scratch.

Thanks - Ex-Biller

[ In Reply To ..]
That's exactly what I needed to know. Thanks!


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