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

future of medical coders - kat

Posted: Mar 18, 2013

With Epic coming abroad what is the future for coders. I just signed up to begin coding classes and would like more information before I proceed.

This question was asked and answered - About an inch below

[ In Reply To ..]
See the thread that begins "Epic".

I did not think the question was answered. - Just me

[ In Reply To ..]
After one or two relevant responses that thread got derailed with details of the OP's position, etc.

Now that I have started paying attention I see more and more talk of EMRs that can produce codes based on the information entered into them. I don't think this is the time to enter into a field on the verge of being partially automated.

Yes I know, coding will never be able to be 100% replaced. Neither will MT. That doesn't mean that I would recommend someone start school to learn to become an MT.

Yes I know, there are lots of other jobs in HIT. So why bother getting trained in coding then?

The question has been discussed here repeatedly - About once a week

[ In Reply To ..]
Someone asks the same question you just did about once a week. We answer it. Nay-saying MTs call us fools. As soon as the turmoil dies down, someone appears to ask the same question all over again.

You asked why bother learning coding if EHR software will allow doctors to type words in blanks which will then have codes assigned.

I have two questions for you. First, how is that different from what we have now? Second, do you imagine coding is just copying codes to match words?

I ask that because doctors already do their own coding by checking off diagnoses and procedures on charge tickets. If they do that now and there are still coders, why would software doing it eliminate coders?

Maybe there is more to it than you think?

You also ask why bother learning coding if there are other jobs in HI. Maybe because coding is a good way to enter HI? Because you can continue learning while you have a job in coding and then move into one of those other jobs? Or, how about this . . .because the knowledge base underlying coding is a part of the knowledge required for many of those other jobs and if you don't have that knowledge you can't get the job?

Maybe there is more to that than you think, too?

Maybe you should tell us what you think the job is, then we can address whatever erroneous view you have that is prompting you to think that some software is going to wipe out nearly all of AHIMA, AAPC, ACDIS, and a big chunk of the informatics organizations, because that is basically what you are claiming. Really, it is.

LOL wiped out - Just me

[ In Reply To ..]
No one said that software was going to wipe out "nearly all" of anything. ADHI isn't wiped out for sure. There are lots of MTs out there. I STILL wouldn't recommend anyone go to school to become an MT.

The fact is that present software is going to replace SOME of what is now considered to be the job of a coder. Even if it is just a small part right now the reality is that it will just get larger and larger as software gets smarter and smarter. So why would you recommend someone go to school to get this job? That's like saying how about you pay money to jump on this sinking ship because it isn't going to sink for 10 or 20 more years!

No, the nice thing to do would be to recommend someone go to school for an expanding field, not a contracting one. Why do you think new coders have such trouble finding a job? Because the field has enough workers with experience to fill those jobs that employers do not have to consider those without experience.

I don't ever feel the need to interject when coders are patting themselves on the back for how smart they are and how involved and difficult their job is; I only get irritated when they recommend others jump off the bridge with them.

So, what ARE you planning to do when your job disappears? - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
It's great that you're trying to protect people from what you feel are our horrible recommendations, but what ARE you planning to do? What job exactly is immune from technological advances? You must have found one.

You are incorrect in your assumption that new coders have trouble finding a job because there are enough workers with experience. That's your opinion based on your observation of something, but it's a mistaken view.

It amazes me that people who know so little about a field can not only feel qualified to make such incredible pronouncements about it, but argue about it with people who do know.

Surveys of employers have indicated that 30% of coding jobs go unfilled because employers cannot find anyone qualified to fill them. That's what employers complain about . . . 3 out of 10 of their coding jobs sit empty because no coder can be found to fill them.

New coders DO get jobs. Getting appropriate education and credentials goes a long way toward overcoming employer reluctance to hire them.

75% of new coders with only a CPC are hired. AHIMA-credentialed coders fare better.

New coders with NO credentials do poorly. And, of course, people who would be unhirable in ANY field are unhirable in coding, as well.

It's the same as anything else. No field is immune to this. Most fields have WORSE statistics.

And, for your information, I'm standing on solid ground. If you think I'm standing on a bridge, you aren't seeing clearly.

To just me - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
I don't plan to be working in 20 years, let alone 10. You are mistaken about their being enough experienced coders to fill jobs. At one of the facilities in my city, jobs are currently going unfilled because there is a shortage of people with experience, and they won't even consider anyone who has not actively worked as a coder for 2-3 years in addition to having the credentials, that is the reason some new coders can't get hired. It must be nice to have a crystal ball to know what is going to happen in 20 years. If you can name one profession that stays the same forever, we'd all like to know what that is. Where I work, the coding is partially computer generated. All it has done is require more people to fix the mistakes, the same with MT. I've said it before - coding may not be your cup of tea, but for many people it is a perfect fit and a great way to transition out of MT. Sometimes it is necessary to take a clinical documentation job or a billing job to get started, but with that training there are other opportunities. At least those people were not afraid to try.

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