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

Please do not call yourself coders yet - A coder

Posted: Mar 21, 2014

Some of us have worked REALLY hard to get where we are, and it is kind of an insult to that. I am happy for you, truly I am, but really . . . would a nursing assistant call themselves an RN? Perhaps you will understand why when you get through all of your training. Secondly, I can only attest to where I work, as an outpatient coder. I do not make $30 an hour and never will. Not close that. So unless M*Modal pays so much more than a hospital (and they sure don't do that with their transcriptionists) somebody is pulling your chain. Sorry for the animosity on this board.

Secondly, I can not attest to how many people fail out of coding. I do know the AAPC has said 70% of people fail the CPC examination. All of the coding trainees have a rough road ahead of them, and I don't think anyone would say anything differently.

Yeah, you have to have a - sense-of-humor-ectomy first. nm

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x

LOL! good one - ;)

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are all coders as hateful as you? jesus

Not being hateful. - You are not coders yet

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And it is disrespectful to all of us, and the work we have put in, to call yourselves such at this point. That isn't being hateful. It is being truthful. Nobody is unhappy for your success -- when you are successful. You got into a coding program. That does not make you a coder.

sounds like someone has a touch of jealousy! - n/m

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x

Sounds like someone has a touch of - ignorance

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There are actually repercussions for misrepresenting your certification status. You will learn that when you are a coder.

Reality - Not ready for prime time

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I don't think the OP was being hateful, she was stating fact. Until you have gone through a training program and worked as a coder, you have no idea what you are getting into. There seems to be some misconception among MTs that anyone can be a coder, it is just not true. I had not heard a 70% fail rate on the AAPC exam, I had heard 50%. Nevertheless, it is still very high. I don't know the percentages, but I am familiar with quite a few people who drop out of training programs because of the difficulty, because it is not what they thought it would be, or because life got in the way. As far as salary, it is possible to make $30 an hour but not to start. I'm working as an outpatient coder for a large facility and make less than I did as an MT to start but I am working my way back up. That high wage may apply to consultants and auditors. Not impossible, but don't expect it until you have had many years of experience and more than one certification.

Actually you need to complete your program and - pass exams

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I got a low score in sense of humor, but my sarcasm score was off the charts.

you must be a real thrill to work with - feel sorry for your coworkers

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if you have to come all the way over here to the M2 board from the coding board just to try to make someone feel bad you must really hate your life. wow

What about my comment makes you feel bad - The part where I said you were not coders

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So you are going to argue that you are a coder now? You were a MT yesterday, you took a test and you are a coder? You are going to argue the fail rate?

the part where you came over here and stirred the pot - not a coder...yet

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I don't see on here where anyone claimed to be a coder. Calm down.

Actually several people have said it - I have been on this board

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If you consider someone giving you advice, then yes, sure, I'm pot stirring. I am perfectly calm. You are the one cursing and saying I am hateful. I am just telling you, if you call yourself a coder with absolutely no coding experience or education, that probably will not go over well. Now, as you say, I'll take that long, arduous hike back over to the coding board, since all of you would be coders have it under control over here. I am sure your transition from MT will be extremely easy, and you will make millions of dollars.

probably just differentiating themselves from the MTs - you are reading too much into it

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probably should get that chip off your shoulder before it kills you

wow, can you say anything not insulting? - If so, I have yet to see it

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Once again, I'll just say, everyone is wishing you well. Please don't misrepresent your status. Please also try not to be cruel to the people on this board who did not make the cut. Some of them are very disappointed and don't need salt rubbed in their wounds.

I do not think AAPC releases those numbers - Coder

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Could be they did, but I don't think so. I have never seen a group take it where 70% fail.

You also have to remember that many test takers do not have formal training. Some just have been coding in a doctor's office or something.

The AHIMA exams DO have a very high failure rate, but I do not recall that one has ever reached 70%. At least not for coding.

At any rate, the MM class will have a good chance of success. It will be unlikely that they will fail.

Nobody said they would all fail - However

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However, any class that is taken has a certain number of people who drop the class after deciding the subject is not for them. Or that it doesn't fit into their schedule. Or many other reasons. That is normal. To say all 60 will complete the program is unrealistic.

AHIMA is the preferred credentialing agency, not AAPC. - sm

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The CPC which is through AAPC is much easier to pass and not as valuable as the CCS which is through AHIMA and has a high failure rate. It is a more difficult exam and therefore more valuable. Research coding jobs and you'll see most list they prefer the CCS.

More difficult true, but they are for different types of coding - Looked into it

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The AAPC credential is primarily for outpatient coding and AHIMA inpatient. I have heard that the CCS is more difficult, but that is because inpatient coding is more complex.

I'm a coder - And even I do not know what you mean

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Maybe you need to look into that further.

Oh, I read it wrong. - They are for different types

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M*Modal advertises that they want their coders to have AT MINIMUM the CCS and they prefer the RHIT and RHIA

Umm, did you know that is "The Feud"? - NEITHER is better

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Neither is better. They are just different.

If you think most jobs want AHIMA credentials, it is only because you are looking in the wrong place. In the outpatient world, AAPC credentials are desirable. Most outpatient employers don't even know what a CCS is.

In the beginning, there was only AHIMA's CCS. It did not fit the needs of outpatient, physician-based coders. It was difficult to pass for a coder who coded with the different outpatient rules and CPT. The AAPC was formed to represent them.

There was an immediate backlash from a lot of AHIMA members who should have been more gracious.

The two organizations are now in non-feud mode, but some AHIMA members still slander the AAPC and its credentials. Mostly, you find it in college RHIT programs and hospital HIM departments where their less-enlightened grads work.

The credentials do not cover the same types of coding. The CPC is not the same as the CCS-P and the CCS is not the same as the CPC-H.

Both organizations serve a valid purpose and they are not mutually exclusive. Let's not perpetuate that offensive feud on this board.

L

Every job I see, at least in my area, prefers the CCS - Feud or not

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I realize they are for two different things, but, at least in my area, the CCS is preferred.

What kind of jobs are these?? - And where are you seeing them???

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NM

Coding jobs - Anon

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Honestly, what kind of jobs do you think I'm talking about? And I'm obviously not going to tell you where I live.

What kind and where...hospital, newspaper, some lame website - Sheesh

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I thought it was you.

anybody turn down the coding offer? - s

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I posted this question on coding board too, but actally just curious if anybody who was offered the program turned it down? (so therefore - not coding, still MT/ME, lol.

Am I MIssing Something? - Anony Mouse

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Did I miss a post? I didn't read anything about anyone at M Modal already calling his/herself a coder. Nor have I read anything implying or assuming that everyone will pass.

Yes, you evidently missed something - Someone posted a message

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As "new coder"

Oh come on How literal can you be. - Overinterpretation of the situation.

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So one whole person slipped and accidentally called themselves "new coder." And the other one, "Coder," actually is a coder.

So no, people are not going around pretending they are coders. Let's not misrepresent the situation.

There seemed to be some misrepresentation - A coder too

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And so I called it out. Call it being "too literal" if you want. Coding certification is kind of a big deal. You don't understand because you aren't a coder.

Good grief I was replying to another poster. But - understand the importance of certification, thanks

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nm

Who called themselves a "certified coder"? - The Original Coder

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I do know a couple of noncertified coders. They are still coders.

It is fine by me if the new coders call themselves coders. I think that it is important to put on the hat and start living up to the expectations that go with it. Seeing yourself in the new role and believing you ARE what you are working to become is good.

More power to them!

It doesn't matter if it is fine with you or not - It is misrepresentation

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I did not say a coder had to be certified, however a person who has not taken a single coding class or assigned a single code is not a coder, just as someone who takes an anatomy course is not a nurse, or someone who knows how to type is not a transcriptionist. We will all be happy for them if and when they succeed -- but they are not coders at this point. Whether it is "fine with you" or not.

I just see no need to play the "pay your dues" game. - Meh

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I don't think it is misrepresentation. Everyone here is clear that they just got accepted. Be happy with them.

How very gracious of you - If by "pay your dues game"

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you mean being properly educated in a field before you claim to be a professional of that field, then by all means yes -- I think that game should be played.

Oh, and read the WHOLE thread - I have repeatedly said

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We are ALL happy for them. ALL of us. Even the girls who are upset with M*Modal are happy for them.

How many times? No one is pretending to be a coder here. - Why so indignant about nothing?

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1) Perhaps ONE SINGLE person had the gall to call themselves "new coder" instead of "student of coding." Oh, the humanity!!!

2) There is one actual "Coder" on this board, who knows what they are talking about.

WHERE OH WHERE are you getting that trainees are suddenly masquerading as real coders, certified or otherwise?

And just what is your stake in this?

No, there are actually AT LEAST three coders on here - What is your stake?

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NM

Oh I give up. Have your attack of the vapors. - As you refuse to listen to reason.

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Holy cow.

Just wait when ICD-10 kicks in! - Going to be major detail.

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Going to be very interesting in October when ICD-10 kicks in.

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