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has anyone made the successful transition to coding/billing - from transcription?

Posted: Sep 07, 2013

I'm thinking about getting certified in this area. Mostly considering coding as that has the smallest contact with patients and I get to work independently. I had some schooling about 20 years ago for coding, have been a transcriptionist 16 years, plus QA specialist and editor. I just want short-term schooling. I have hesitated going into this field because I am afraid it will go overseas, and that no one will give new hires a chance. I know one gal who went to school for it and gave up finding a job (though she had no medical records experiences at all). So my question, has anyone made a successful transition to medical billing and or coding, and is gainfully employed? How hard was it entering the field? Did they take your years as a transcriptionist and medical language professional into consideration? Any interning options available? Thank you for any replies!

I did, and here is something to consider - SM

[ In Reply To ..]
Coding is the conversion of medical information into alphanumerical codes that describe diseases, signs, symptoms, health states, reasons for encounters with medical personnel, and treatments provided. This information is used for statistical purposes in healthcare, for quality assurance, public health, disease control, research, monitoring (cancer and other disease registries, for example), and SOME of it is used for reimbursement, without which the provision of medical care would be impossible.

Some professionals in this field have very little involvement with anything even resembling the collection of money from patients. They may be involved with the other aspects of coded data like research and data analysis, or they might even work for organizations that don't bill patients, like public health departments, charities, international aid organizations, and the Department of Defense/Veterans Affairs.

They might work as professional bill reviewers who help uninsured and underinsured patients, Medicare recipients, and victims of catastrophic diseases and accidents by sorting out charges, insisting on the removal of inappropriate charges, and negotiating reductions and payment plans.

They might even work as auditors who review bills and the evidence supporting them in order to detect error and fraud, recoup payments, and prosecute criminal physicians and healthcare entities.

How, exactly, is that going to go overseas?

Question about MT experience - Not sure what you mean

[ In Reply To ..]
You asked if employers took my years of experience as an MT into consideration.

A couple of questions for you that might help you see how the MT fits in and how you might approach using it to your advantage.

What about MT do you feel employers ought to consider?

How are they going to know what that is?

What do you plan to omit from your training because of the MT?

Are you basing that on coding classes from 20 years ago or on something more current (and not academic)?

These are questions that will occur to prospective employers, not just me.

Transition - MT headed

[ In Reply To ..]
Medical transcription and coding are 2 entirely different things. Employers do not think that because you can transcribe, you can code, it just doesn't work that way. If you studied A & P, that will help. Being a QA specialist and editor might help as you are probably good at gleaning information from patient records. Schooling for coding 20 years ago is not going to be relevant.

Internships do exist, but not as many as before due to HIPAA/confidentiality rules. You could try and find a job as a medical records clerk or something in billing while you are going to school and try to learn on the job. Once you are established with an employer, it is going to be easier. I would not be concerned about coding going overseas. It is going to be difficult getting your first job, but it is done. Getting a first job in anything is going to be difficult and there is a lot of competition. At my facility, even temp positions in medical records or insurance/billing get hundreds of applicants. I transitioned from transcription to medical records. I have coding education and certification but no experience. I do not code but am involved with the electronic health record in other areas, I am gainfully employed. Having knowledge of coding may open up other opportunities for you as well.

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