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rocktivity

(44,577 posts) Thu Oct 8, 2015, 11:21 AM Oct 2015

Need info about medical coding

Last edited Thu Jul 9, 2020, 11:19 AM - Edit history (6)

The county is trying to railroad me into a hospital/home health attendant course. I want to take a medical billing/coding course because I'm computer literate and have some coding/database experience, and my research indicates it's a growth field that pays a lot better. If you're going to help someone work for a living, it should pay you enough to live on.

rocktivity

6 replies

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Highlight:

Need info about medical coding (Original Post) rocktivity Oct 2015 OP

It may be a good time to enter the field as they just (Oct 1) vastly expanded the number of codes... PoliticAverse Oct 2015 #1

A medical billing/coding program would be a lot more complicated, time-consuming and expensive. enough Oct 2015 #2

Yes, a coding course would cost more (the state has a grant program I'm looking into) rocktivity Oct 2015 #3

Coding takes a couple of years Warpy Oct 2015 #5

I do have coding and billing experience rocktivity Oct 2015 #6

Coding is a field that provides a decent amount of employment, SheilaT Oct 2015 #4

PoliticAverse

(26,366 posts)

1. It may be a good time to enter the field as they just (Oct 1) vastly expanded the number of codes...

Reply to rocktivity (Original post)

Thu Oct 8, 2015, 11:27 AM

Oct 2015

See: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/14/us/politics/one-symptom-in-new-medical-codes-doctor-anxiety.html?_r=0

enough

(13,260 posts)

2. A medical billing/coding program would be a lot more complicated, time-consuming and expensive.

Reply to rocktivity (Original post)

Thu Oct 8, 2015, 12:13 PM

Oct 2015

That may be why the county is trying to steer you away, if they're funding it. Billing/coding is not just one course but a whole series of courses taken in order. You're probably right that it would be a field with more potential.

rocktivity

(44,577 posts)

3. Yes, a coding course would cost more (the state has a grant program I'm looking into)

Reply to enough (Reply #2)

Thu Oct 8, 2015, 01:56 PM

Oct 2015

Last edited Thu Oct 6, 2022, 01:08 AM - Edit history (35)

But I what I think the county is really trying to accomplish is a pool of health attendant cannon fodder.

My research reveals that while the field is expected to explode as the population ages, it features long hours, physical/emotional stress, rock-bottom pay, and sky-high turnover. I hope I'm not coming across as snobbish: I know that a health attendant certification can be a stepping stone to a nursing career; and you can rest assured that if I had no other qualifications, I wouldn't hesitate to accept the fact that it would be better than nothing.

I just see taking the course as a waste of the marketable skills and experience that I do have, everyone's time, and the county's money.

rocktivity

Warpy

(111,300 posts)

5. Coding takes a couple of years

Reply to rocktivity (Reply #3)

Thu Oct 8, 2015, 04:45 PM

Oct 2015

especially when you have no knowledge of medical lingo or procedures. The really smart thing to do is to take the CNA course, get the experience and do the coding course.

I did a home course while I worked as a nurse. Outsourcing and then blindness ended that idea fast. Knowing medical terminology was a definite plus, so at least buy yourself a good medical dictionary and keep it for bathroom reading.

rocktivity

(44,577 posts)

6. I do have coding and billing experience

Reply to Warpy (Reply #5)

Thu Oct 8, 2015, 05:48 PM

Oct 2015

Last edited Thu Oct 6, 2022, 01:06 AM - Edit history (20)

having worked in pharmaceutical and for a radiology service -- I wouldn't be starting from scratch. And as I mentioned, there would at least be a point in shooting for a health attendant certification if I were youthful enough to parlay it into better-paying work in the healthcare field.

rocktivity

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)

4. Coding is a field that provides a decent amount of employment,

Reply to rocktivity (Original post)

Thu Oct 8, 2015, 02:10 PM

Oct 2015

mainly in hospitals and doctor's offices. And yes, coding is not just one quick class, but usually a semester or more of classes. I believe it is possible to study on-line, but you'll want to look very carefully at such programs to make sure the one you pick is legitimate.

If the coursework is through a local junior college, it should be good. Do talk to them about how successful they are at placing students.

Added on edit: contact local hospitals and ask them what training they require for the coders they hire.

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