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

Looking for sound, knowledgeable insight...? anyone? - bansheeMT

Posted: Mar 14, 2013

the course I am taking is explaining how SNOMED in combination with the above-type programs, basically needs to eliminate 'free text' completely from all medical records, and push for template-only documentation.

what does this in reality mean for Coders (because MT is obvious - read the mmodal and greenway info). Am I wasting my time (and $) taking a coding course, if in a few years the doctors will just need to enter a dx in a box, which is then automatically coded. Will SNOMED (antology) incorporate the coding, because I am looking right now at MIE templates - and that is exactly what the doctor does. He enters the dx, and it is coded and also includes any and all information along with the dx.

my frustration is mounting because I am not sure what to do. does anyone have opinions, other than defending a coding school, or defending MT because they are needed for now...

the new technology is fascinating and I agree with it and everything, but I need a direction here because I am terrified at working at Walmart or McDonalds now in my 50s, because I am getting old and could not physically do it, especially working 2-3 jobs. I have done that my entire life already, working since I was 12 (babysitting, house cleaning, etc.)

does anyone foresee a real future in coding, at least for another 10 or so years??? I am just not seeing it for some reason. I know the EHR is going to take time but every minute of the day there are people working on it and it will happen eventually and become standardized. just hoping not in our lifetime...

Insight - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
I see a future in coding. No one can predict what will happen in 10 years. What the computer "codes" in a classroom situation or in a product demo and what it "codes" in the real world will be completely different, I see it at my own facility all the time, the number of mistakes are mind-boggling and humans need to fix them. Humans are needed for analysis and chart review and humans are needed to perform coding audits. If you don't see a future in coding, don't do it.

I dunno... we all used to say the same thing - about medical transcription... n/M

[ In Reply To ..]
..

My opinion - sm

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I think new technology tends to fade many things out and we can all just ride this wave until it is no more. As far as STARTING or TRAINING in a field that could and probably will be obviously taken over by technology, well I wouldn't.

On a brighter note, for us at least, many, many companies are phasing out various departments and having them done from home and they are REAL jobs with REAL paychecks, none of this production pay. When you call someone regarding your phone not working or your cable or satellite or whatever, generally you are speaking to someone who is working from their home. Also, hospitals are starting to phase out many departments, such as central scheduling and whatever the department is called that calls you after your visit for the mandatory, required by law, survey. These jobs are now becoming home based and with the hospital jobs, they are looking for MTs or people with medical background that know the terminology and can schedule CT scans, etc. Right now, my job is stable, but as soon as it isn't anymore, I don't plan to test for more MT positions. I plan to find one of those jobs. I had an interview with one and cannot remember the name of it, but they advertised here on the Job Seekers Board, saying they were looking for MTs that were tired of typing and wanted to talk. The job started at $12.00 per hour and moved up in pay, depending on responsibilities that you were willing to train for. They only wanted full-time 12-hour-shift workers at the time and I wasn't willing to do that, but in the future I shall. To me, that is MUCH better than McDonald's or Wal-Mart. Good luck.

I like this! - bansheeMT

[ In Reply To ..]
it is good food for thought!

appreciate it...

That was Phoenix MedCom - Carrie

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that advertised for those types of jobs. I considered it, but decided to do something "outside of the box."

My Take - see msg

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Someone told me about 5 years ago that coding is "going the way of medical transcription." I took that to mean that they might offshore the work, and that a lot of it would be taken over by electronics.

I got out of the MT field completely about 2 months ago and just do office clerical work now.

MyTake, I think you're right. Healthcare as a whole has - gone from reliable to outsourced - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
and automated. The fewer humans on their payrolls, the better, they seem to think.

The medical/healthcare field, which used to be a good, recession-proof field to be in, is now as flaky, unreliable, and risky as jobs come.

I'm leaving healthcare and hopefully will find a clerical job with a small to medium-sized company. (No more big corporations for me, either! UGH! Hate them!) I'm currently revamping my skills/education, so that even if something happens to the company I hire at, I'll still be up-to-date on my office skills (not clueless, like the MT pigeonhole has left me), and can find another job without much trouble.

In just a few years, I'll qualify for Medicare. Then I won't have to worry about working full-time, or for health ins. anymore, and plan to have a part-time, in-office job, and supplement it with some part-time freelance work.

No more putting all my eggs in one basket, and most certainly not any of them at all in healthcare.

I just posted something below in the QA discussion - Former QA back to MT

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I had posted below that my company recently lost an account because the client went to a totally electronic/voice recognition/code-based program. Supposedly, they were almost entirely eliminating the need for a narrative type transcription at all. Everything is reduced to codes on a point-and-click system with voice recognition for any type of narrative.

The voice recognition is awful, but to the client's way of thinking it really doesn't matter because as long as the diagnoses codes matter that is what they use. Hot mess dictation is perfectly fine because they only care about the diagnoses and codes.

I have a friend who went from MT to coding. She now works in a place that provides durable medical equipment to people. She submits the codes for Medicare/Medicaid/Insurance approval.

I also work with a psychologist who has an EMR, and that EMR autocodes their documentation as it is coming in.

If it were me, I would not do coding. I think the position is going the same way as MT: Being eliminated.

I am an employee with a national. My plan is to ride this profession into the sunset, and when I'm laid off (because it's a matter of when not if) I am going to apply for trade assistance retraining under TAA or WIA to get into another field.

If you have lost a job recently you might check with your state to see what options are available for you through your local employment office.

papers are already signed, - bansheeMT

[ In Reply To ..]
did just that, was qualified as a 'displaced worker' and got a grant through WIA for medical coding (it is on their approved list - but so is MT!!) and I took that because everyone on the coding board gets livid if it is suggested coding will be eliminated. I was listening to advice over there, but in my gut - well, I agree with you. I am seeing this stuff in my Health Information lectures.

My counselor has really gone out of the way to help me, so now I don't know what to do. I was considering just taking the course, and of course I still have to look for work (Walmart I suppose) and wait it out, see if I pass the course even.

We have a handful of jobs around here, but nothing to pay a living wage, and absolutely no responses from online applications (probably because of my age, on paper) other than BS jobs.

I wanted to apply for TAA because I am a 'displaced worker' but could not find anyone to file with (was told you need at least 3 people). Medquist is on there, but mostly these are all denied eventually. Have not seen one that was awarded. You can search through their database and check, but my company has 5 attempts, all but 1 denied and the last 1 is still 'pending' ~ and it is factual the jobs had been outsourced overseas, and were replaced by technology. Guess the courts favor the corps no matter...

the coders disagree with you - see their forum

[ In Reply To ..]
they will swear up and down that coding is not going away.

I'm sure there are. There are also MTs who swear - Former QA back to MT

[ In Reply To ..]
that there will always be a need for medical transcriptionists.

Just because someone believes coding or any other job/career will be around doesn't make it so.

Rarely does a company, hospital, or any other employer give their employees a clue that they are about to be replaced or eliminated. Instead upper management makes a decision based solely on the needs of the company or hospital. They're not going to ask your opinion or mine. They're just going to do it.

Be Needed? Yes - Make Money? No-nm

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xx

Interesting discussion - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
Coding could still prove to be a useful thing to know as there are probably still going to be jobs in consulting, compliance and auditing. There's money at stake, and depending totally on automation might not prove to be the most accurate method. Some of you seem to be happy that it might be going away, I don't get that. I've seen that the tone has changed a bit on the coding board. Some people who jumped on that band wagon have reported not being able to find jobs, and others have had to settle for entry level low paying positions. I also plan to keep my fingers in MT (literally) and I even see signs that some of the work may be brought on site due to quality issues. As far as the call center jobs, I hope that works for anyone interested in doing. I just know from my own experience that I will either reach an automated system or someone with a foreign accent, so I also have to question how long those jobs will be around.

I'm not happy about it. - Former QA back to MT

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In other words, I'm not happy about coding possibly going away. I wish it would stick around because it would be an easy move from MT to coding.

I think many people are just being realistic. A good deal of coding seems to be included in the transcription and documentation systems that are replacing traditional MT. I don't see the warnings as wishing someone would fail so much as trying to encourage people to be cautious. There may be other applications for coding beyond just the standard way of doing things, but it is arrogance on the part of anyone, not just in the medical field, to think their position cannot be eliminated. Everyone can be replaced.

Everyone can be replaced - Anonymous

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Including you. I don't think anyone denies that, but name one occupation where that is not true. People need to work and if coding (or transcription) is their niche, I think that is great. I'm not going to wring my hands and worry all the time that my job will be eliminated in 10 years when I can retire in 5 or 6. I also work in health care documentation and ended up getting a job doing transcription QA because I happened to be in the right place at the right time. Instead of dwindling, that job (as well as the HIM job) has developed into something with more responsibility. I didn't shirk it because I was worried that it might be gone in 5 years. If people don't take chances and take advantage of the opportunity that comes their way, it is their own fault. The OP asked for honest, objective feedback about the coding profession. I offered it, and the rest of you came back with gloom and doom. Don't code if you are worried about it going away, but don't discourage someone from pursuing a good career. It's interesting that people think working at Wal-Mart and call center jobs are more viable, good luck with that.

Why are you being insulting? - Former QA now MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, I'm fully aware I can be replaced. In all aspects of my life. However, so can you. So I'm not exactly sure what your point is.

It seems like you're trying to insult and ridicule people into your way of thinking. You are entitled to it. However, the statement was made that people seemed to want to disparage coding. That is not it. However, if you can retire in 5-6 years, more power to you. But the rest of the people in the medical documentation field will keep their options open and be wary.

I apologize - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
I didn't think I was being insulting, I'm sorry if that is what you thought. This discussion was kind of a waste of time, anyway. The OP asked for objective opinions about the future of coding when her mind was probably already made up. 10 years is a long time to worry and wonder. A person could be working as a coder and then do something else IF that job ended. The North Koreans could nuke us and end it all. You could walk into the street and get hit by a car. What if, what if? Find something you like to do and do it, and stop worrying about when coding will be going away. Enough said.

Exactly, her mind is already made up. - You said it better than I could

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She seems to be fishing for justification to support quitting.

She already decided she doesn't want to do this. Now she needs justification for why that counselor steered her wrong.

What a waste of grant money!

I had something else posted, but on second thought this is enough. - bansheeMT

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your goal seems to be only to attack me so have at it all you want, I am not interested in your opinions.

Yes, call centers, technical help, & jobs like them - were among the first to be - s/M

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outsourced and then offshored. What I keep seeing happen in this country is a movement away from having your own employees, and instead hiring a giant company that specializes in (underpaid) employees that do whatever job it is you need them to do. It's just that scenario that I'm going to do my best to avoid. I dislike middlemen, and most certainly dislike this particular type of middleman (mtso's), and prefer not to work for any more of them.

I think you are correct about jobs - (SM)

[ In Reply To ..]
I think there will be jobs both in coding and the other things that you mentioned. I also think that it is very, very difficult for new graduates of coding programs, even very good ones, to get hired unless they are already working at a facility or have incredible luck. This may be true of other professions as well, but I am concerned enough about it that I decided not to pursue coding as a transition out of MT. I decided on a more hands-on allied health profession that requires clinical rotations in which I can make contacts in my field and in which my technical college has a pool of employers that are known to hire students of this particular program. I feel like an online coding program wouldn't offer that kind of connection to potential employers, and I also feel that community or technical college coding programs do not offer the expertise and training needed to be considered for a coding position locally as a new graduate with only MT experience, at least in my geographic area.

I think the coders/wannabe coders are either - delusional or trying to reassure themselves.

[ In Reply To ..]
But then again, there are still a handful of MTs who believe that somehow, some way, medical transcription will be saved and come back because we're so "indispensible".

And it's just that sort of "indispensibility" that's keeping me from going into coding, scribing, or even medical assisting, because the medical field is trying to eliminate as many warm bodies in their institutions as they possibly can.

If you see no future in coding, find something else to do. - No one is forcing you

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We have posted reams of information and explanation of what coding is. We pointed out that the function you fear can be computerized is only a small part of what coders do. We explained the other functions and jobs that will continue and even grow. We gave links to websites of professional organizations so that you could see how coding fits into a wide variety of health information and revenue jobs.

We have explained that you are seeing one small job and thinking it is the whole career field, and we told you that was incorrect.

If you cannot get beyond that, then just find something else to do. No one is forcing you into coding.

We are not blind, nor are we deluding ourselves...we just know more than you do about what the coding jobs entail. I personally have not done the job you fear will be replaced by computers in ten years. I do a job created by those computers.

The problem with coding is that the clerical-work functions will disappear. If you are looking for clerical work, yes you should find something else. The rest of coding will continue changing. It is going to require more education and an interest in growing with the changes in the job field.

If you can only see negativity in that course you are taking, that is an indication that you dislike the work overall. I doubt if you will be happy in any health information job. There is a career for you, but maybe not this one.

no one is forcing you to reply, either. why are you always so evasive - bansheeMT

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as to what you actually do. why the secret. you make it sound like it is a big 'mystery' to be a coder. why can't you ever just be on the up and up, if it is so great. perhaps that is why people are nervous.

we get it - you are great and we are stupid. good for you.

Ha ha! Great post - sm

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I agree - why such a secret as to what you do? I've seen many posts by you how great coding and HIM is, but every time I ask you what your job title is, what your degree is in and how you got to where you are, you give me such a vague and bizarre response that I find it hard to believe you. Instead of belittling people, help them by telling us why your job is so wonderful and what it is!

Not being evasive at all - Explained several times

[ In Reply To ..]
You either don't read the coding board or you didn't understand what you read. I also posted a link to the career map on the AHIMA website that would help you understand, and recommended other resources, as well.

I could explain all over again, but you would not accept it any more than you accepted it before.

your job. your title - the thing

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the thing you do that earns you what is it 75K I think? I'm sure if I made that kind of money I wouldn't worry about the peasants either.

Compliance - Told you that before

[ In Reply To ..]
NM

Coding - Carrie

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Personally, I do not see a sustainable future in MT or coding. I am in my mid 40s and looking for another career option to sustain me through to retirement. Been doing MT for 28 years, since high school, VR editing for the past 10 years, and it is going by the wayside. VR made me lose my passion. I love straight transcribing, made a lot of money doing it and am excellent at it, but editing VR just takes the wind out of my sail.

Even if you do coding, you have to have 2-3 years solid in the office/hospital experience before they even consider you for employment, and then to get a remote coding job is impossible unless you have the 3-5 years experience, etc. I looked into it myself.

Although education is great and to better yourself is awesome, I would not pay the money for coding courses, in my humble opinion. Unless you want to try it and then work in an office or hospital who hires "newbies" for coding.

Personally, I am trying to get out of this MT business all together. I am starting school in April - totally unrelated to the health care industry.

This, of course, is my humble opinion.
Good luck in whatever you decide.

This is more like it - TY for understanding my post and for replying... - bansheeMT

[ In Reply To ..]
Actually, the government always seems behind the times as they are still offering MT (?). The further education is going to be great, and I agree it probably will not get me a job as a medical coder and I will have to settle for something else, but it was my one shot for further education - and I thought maybe there was something else I could do other than coding.

(If these boards are any indication, I am not liking the overall attitudes of some of the people who do (or claim to do) actual coding, or at least from some of the posts here.

I was looking for other ideas for a course to take, but the options offered to me were very limited. My sister actually did the same thing when she was laid off - took coding/billing, finished with extremely high scores, received a certificate, and ended up being offered jobs, but taking one in a completely different field (she was in purchasing and went back to that for a different company) as she claims she was not even offered what she was making as a purchaser. To my thought, it was more like billing than coding, which is NOT what I want to do.

I had to do my own research, choose a course, a place to take the course, and even come up with 10 current openings for such with the exact specifications. Just hoping I did the right thing now, because I am learning so much in lectures about HIT and how their goal IS moving forward to needing only the least amount of people involved in a medical record.

Would it be too forward to ask you what other field you are going to school for?

For me and many others, I think the issue with losing MT is the freedom we had in working at home - for years completely unsupervised (not so much now days) and how productive (in the past) we could be, especially with flexible schedules. We were kind of spoiled I guess, and that seems to have really soured others in the medical field toward MTs, that is the only thing I can figure. There still is so much misunderstanding and negativity towards MTs, if this board is any indication.

Also, I never really was good at the office politics and gossip, etc. of working in the office at the hospital. Working at home for me was perfect because I was always a little shy and introverted. Not the best thing to be in an office full of women!

I went over and over the list offered to me for school, however, and there just was not anything else to match my skills.

Your post was really helpful - ty for taking the time to reply.

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