Went to my first coding class tonight.... jeebus christ, why does it all have to be so complicated?

[belladonna]

I'm not so sure that my brain is going to retain all of this crap :scared:

[mainegreen]

1. coding or programming?

If programming, what language?

[likesmountains 52]

2. Medical coding?

[belladonna]

3. Oops, sorry

Medical records health coding :blush:

[rustydog]

4. So, are you planning to be a home-based Medical Records coder?

[belladonna]

5. Possibly

I'm already doing medical transcription from home and I kind of like that, so who knows? The drawback with coding is that you have to shell out 400 bucks just to take the certification test and, unlike with medical transcription, getting certified is the only way to make the really good money in coding. I'm really just taking it because it's a required class, but who knows? :shrug:

[datasuspect]

7. those jobs pay decent money

for an advanced clerical skill level.

as things go, naturallyMin Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent and two years of coding and billing experience. CCA, CCS, or CCSP coding certification from AHIMA; or CPCA, CPC, CPCH, CPCHA coding certification from AAPC required. Successful completion of General Compliance Coder testing

JOB DESCRIPTION:
To provide the advanced skills necessary for complete and accurate coding of all patient charge documents to ensure maximum reimbursement from all third party payers.

Review medical record to ensure the codes (cpt, hcps, icd-9) are appropriate and accurate based on the response from the payer and/or the billing system. Review billing sheets, operative reports, and electronic/paper medical records to ensure correct codes are assigned and all billable procedures are captured. Provide feedback to department reps. to improve/resolve denials, coding issues, communication and hospital revenue. Document and track issues/trends related to coding/denial issues. Attends continuing education activities. reviews coding publications, and attends classes for updated coding information. Responds to questions about coding issues, billing procedures. Other related duties.
Job Requirements
Occupation: Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
View Labor Market Information for this Occupation
View Training for this Occupation Certification: No
Experience / Education: 2 yrs 0 mos and High School Diploma/GED

OR


Occupation: Medical Secretaries
View Labor Market Information for this Occupation
View Training for this Occupation Certification: Yes
Experience / Education: 0 yrs 0 mos and High School Diploma/GED
Workweek and Pay Details
Minimum Pay: $58,040.00 / Year Maximum Pay: $95,770.00 / Year
Workweek: Full Time - 30 hours or more per week Duration: Regular
Shift: Days (First)

[belladonna]

21. True, if you spend the time and money to get certified

I'm not so sure I want to, unless I really surprise myself and fall in love with this coding stuff :shrug:

[likesmountains 52]

23. I work in health care too and know how complicated coding is...

I think one benefit would be the ability to work from home...but I have also heard that coding...yes even coding...is being outsourced to India in some places...

[crim son]

6. I'm going to be doing an abbreviated version of the course

for my medical office assistant program. Just learning about the codes in Healthcare Reimbursment just about put me to sleep. Gah, you have my empathy!

[graywarrior]

8. Why do I find your post hilarious?

:rofl:

[crim son]

9. Well, I'm bemused.

Could it be my sig line? Because I was in deadly earnest... did I make a typo? I gotta check. Have you been snorting something?

[crim son]

10. It's the sig line.

It's going to make us both famous.

[graywarrior]

12. No, it's because it was so sincere.

Maybe "endearing" was the word I should have used. Endearingly hilarious.

[crim son]

13. You're laughing at my attempt to educate myself!

hehehe. You aren't the only one. :rofl: Today when I went into the school the little twenty-something instructor told me that she was confident I'd do fine working at home because I "seem to be quite bright" !!! It was so hard not to burst out laughing.

[graywarrior]

14. Them 20-something's are quite amusing, ain't they.

[SPKrazy]

18. You Are A Moran! Series!!!11111`

I'm PM'ing you!

[Dervill Crow]

24. I don't get the joke.

I'm a health info trainer/QA tech, and coding puts me to sleep.

[SPKrazy]

17. Code This!

The CPT coding manual, the service codes and place of service will keep you snoozing for weeks sweetie!

[Connonym]

11. You're ambitious!

How are you feeling btw? Things going ok?

[belladonna]

19. Not too bad

Morning sickness is really bad right now and, if I could only get away with it, I'd sleep eighteen hours a day. I'm just focusing on getting through the first trimester right now. If memory serves me right, it should get a little easier to handle after that... at least til those last months :D

How's things with you these days? Still letting those docs drive you insane, like me? :hi:

[Lethe]

15. i have sympathy for anyone that works with that stuff

i used to be a software engineer for a medical software company and I've seen how complicated that can be. Luckily I didnt work on that part of the software :)

[SPKrazy]

16. So That You Can Correctly Capture Every Cost Associated With

a service rendered.

that said, good grief, the new CPT book is HUGH!!!111111

I'm not a coder, but I have a new CPT book and work in a health care provision company and know the value of correct coding, but my gawdess, what a tangled web we have created.

[belladonna]

20. It is HUGH!! I'm SERIES!!!!

The thing that really sucks is that they're only good for a year. After October of this year, the one I have will be worthless! Oh yeah, and if you think it's HUGH now, wait'll they come out with the updated one... it's supposely waaay more complicated and even more HUGH!

[SPKrazy]

22. I Don't Doubt It

I was calling Gray a moran BTW in case you thought I was calling you one. She is one!

Coders are a group of people that I don't understand, no, I understand them, I don't understand those that keep trying to make it harder and harder.

It's of course about more money. The Medicare billing rules change, so coding initiatives are created to find ways to get more out of them by capturing more aspects of a service. So instead of a physical exam being xx$, it is now time based, and dependent on diagnosis (since Medicare doesn't pay for preventive unless they just started which they may have) and any procedure done.

good luck!