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Health programming has been around for a long time, but it has received quite a bit of coverage lately.
This is a “easy work from home, data entry job that has little requirements and high earning potential” has been commonly sold to the public. But this argument is only partially valid.
Take a minute to explore this area and its opportunities a bit further before you spend time and resources in preparation and qualification.
Myth 1: Coding is Easy
Many people who first hear of medical coding believe that it is straightforward to understand and/or execute. Many people who have learned to understand, or who do medical programming, will disagree.
You must be very detail-oriented and structured to be a medical coder.
A broad knowledge base of medical accounting, medical vocabulary, gross anatomy, insurance plans, practise management, coding instructions, HIPPA rules, how to use each coding manual, and more must also be applicable to medical coders.
Medical coders must also have the ability to interpret and comprehend detailed, long medical records and operating documents, in addition to being competent. Communication skills are also imperative for doctors and insurance providers.
Myth2: Work from Home
Many people learn that medical coders operate from home and so, based on this alone, they pursue this area.
Although medical coding is performed by many people from home, there is more to it than what is sometimes promoted.
First, people must be accredited as either a CPC or CCS in order to do medical coding from home. After registration, people must also obtain expertise at work.
The majority of firms that allow medical coding from home need at least 2-3 years of work experience.
Independent contractors are also most coders who perform medical coding from home. Prior to investing in this career, independent contracting should also be investigated and considered.
Myth 3: Data Entry Job
A acquired experience is medical coding. The only thing that data entry and medical coding have in common is that 10 keys are used in each.
The performance of medical coding requires a qualified person to first read, understand and comprehend the medical record and/or operative note. They would then decide what data is important and what is not. By using three major manuals, the related details must then be converted into codes.
Medical coders need to know how to use the coding instructions and how to implement coding rules that specify items such as when a code should and can not be used, sequencing different codes in the proper order, connecting codes to other codes, when multiple codes for a single piece of information are needed, etc. etc.
Medical coders must also be mindful of insurance related coding requirements to decide which guidelines in each case to be implemented.
Myth 4: Little Requirements
No basic standards have yet been mandated by the government that one must first fulfil in order to be a medical coder.
Employers have taken steps on their own, though. Without at least CPC or CCS qualification, the majority of employers would not recruit an employee as a medical coder. In addition to this, many employers often expect at least some on the job training.
People who choose to become a medical coder and/or from home do medical coding must make themselves employable.
Individuals must pursue a career course comparable to that of many other professions to become employable in this field.
The safest way to begin is proper schooling. The first move should be taking a medical vocabulary and gross anatomy course, followed by taking a medical coding course that will train you directly for one of the two certification tests.
Individuals must then sit for either the CPC examination provided by the AAPC or for the CCS exam offered by AHIMA after education has been received. “Employers would not accept any such “medical coding qualification”.
After either the CPC or CCS certificates have been obtained, individuals must then obtain work experience. Starting out as a medical coder would enable people to start in entry level roles and work their way up, similar to most other professions.
Because of this work’s sensitivity and the immediate effect it has on sales inflow and reimbursement, newly certified coders frequently feel they have to take unrelated positions while learning from the coding department’s medical coders. They continue to obtain medical coding obligations and earn promotions only after they have proved themselves.
Working in a doctor’s office as a front desk receptionist, working in the department of medical records, or entering data in the department of medical billing are typical forms in which newly qualified medical coders start.
Myth 5: High Earning Potential
Because of several reasons, profit opportunity varies, such as geographic position, years of experience, type of specialisation, economics, etc.
It also costs very little to start out as a medical coder in an entry level role.
However, if people will stick it out, receive a paycheck less than desired, and obtain the vital 2-3 years of experience, the flood gate will swing wide open.
The medical coding industry is actually undergoing something of an epidemic. Experienced medical coders neglect the demand and positions are unfulfilled. In order to attract skilled employees into their organisation, this allows employers to provide a high rate of pay.
Many people have taken educational classes in response to this need and earned their credential. This behaviour has created an over-saturation of the labour force of newly inexperienced coders.
Newly certified coders are noticing that it is becoming a race to win their first coding job. In addition, owing to a stagnant economy, entry level vacancies they are pursuing are often occupied by over-qualified seasoned individuals.
As a consequence, because they have undergone costly preparation, spent time, and can not afford to spend more in a low-paying job, newly certified coders are becoming dissatisfied.
Gaining the first medical coding job in the new industry is the secret. There will be no limit on both your job and income opportunities if a newly certified coder will gain an entry level position, do whatever is expected of them, and receive the 2-3 years of expertise employers are searching for.
Example: Personally, I began as a receptionist at the front desk. My first coding work at the entry level paying $10-$12 per user. Uh, hour. I decided to do medical coding from home after acquiring the requisite expertise, where I earn over $50 per person. Uh, hour.
In conclusion, medical coding is not necessarily the profession that it is frequently sold as “easy work from home, data entry job that has little requirements and high earning potential” but there are certain truths to this argument.
Medical coding, which involves preparation, commitment, hard work, and experience, is similar to most other professions. The more one tries, the more effective they will be.
Before spending time and resources, note to study this area for those who have the sole aim of doing medical coding from home. Be sure that this is the best job for you and that you can and are prepared to make the requisite demands to become a medical coder.