RN Coder/Auditor

U.S.A. Florida

Published

Seriously considering taking an online certified RN Coder/Auditor course. Has anyone taken it? Is this a needed, lucrative field? Any advice?

Thanks

I thought about joining clinical coding solutions but the biggest concern for me is they pay you as an independent contractor. The taxes are high for independent contractors, and currently this company is paying an average of $30 per hour.

So when you take your taxes into account, I wonder if it's really worth it.

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I'm an rn interested in rn coder online coure at aapc. I'm dont know with coder online course to take. They offer the cpc for the clinic setting and cpc-h for the outpatient hospital setting. Can someome please give some advice. Thanks

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RN for 13 years looking for a career change? Auditing vs coding

I have visited both the ahima and aapc website but I'm confused on is coding experience required for auditing.

and once you finish the coorifice and test are you certified or do you get certification with # of worked hours. Someone please guide me through this process. Thanks :nurse:

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Specializes in Nursing Education, Research, ENT, Oncology.

I just got a call from this company, and am filling out the paperwork. So you love the work? How many hours were you "promised?" Are you getting the hours you expected? I'm about to take the leap and turn in my paperwork!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Hello all!

I am an RN interested in the CPC Certification offered by AAPC. I have no experience in coding at all and after researching and speaking with someone at AAPC they said I could take the course, then take the certification exam, then after passing would receive a CPC-A (apprentice) certification. After 2 years experience or virtual experience coding 800 charts with 90% accuracy (through AAPC), I could have the "A" dropped off.

I was wondering how others were able to get their experience as an apprentice, or is this new? I have read all of the posts and no one has mentioned it. Any help or guidance would be most appreciated!!! I would love to eventually work out of my home coding for a company like CCS.

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I am an RN with a CPC-A. AAPC is offering an online course that is about $1300. I decided to study on my own, and I passed the first time. I got my books from Amazon.com. Perhaps the most useful study material for me was the 2010 CPC practice exam. The exam was not difficult; it was just time consuming. I did not finish the exam. About 60% of testers didn't finish either. What helped me is my previous knowledge of coding and test-taking skills.

Ideally, they want coders to look up the index, then go to the actual codes and verify that what you found from the index is correct. In my opinion, there isn't enough time to do these steps for each and every question on the test. You just have to come up with ways to go around it, or you'll run out of time.

Most work-from-home jobs require 2 years of hospital or outpatient coding. While I never planned on working as a coder, I might have to do it, so I can gain experience. I checked out CCS, and they said you will be working as a contractor. Last year they said they pay $35 per hour. Last week they said they pay $1.20 something per chart. (I'm guessing the charts are small) I am not sure if it is worth it.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Thanks so much for your reply green217! The information you've given helps. I am investigating all the different coding programs and have narrowed it down between my local community college vs AAPC's online program. I am not in any big hurry to get this done....just thinking of future possibilities. I'm thinking if I take the classes at the community college there may be an opportunity for local networking. I'm waiting to hear back on whether or not they have an externship opportunity. I would like to pursue part-time work in billing/coding, locally if possible for experience, and keep working my part-time nursing job. Someone at AAPC did tell me last week that they do have externships available for experience in some areas but would not tell me if the opportunity is available in my area until after I have taken the course and passed the certification exam.

Any thoughts on whether a community college or AAPC's online program would be better for someone with no coding background?

Thank you and take care!

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Your profile says you live in CO. These are what I found at the AAPC's Xtern program:

Denver Health and Hospital Authority; contact Deborah Linehan at Denver, CO

Panorama Orthopedics and Spine center; contact Elva McNeill at Golden, CO

You can also "persuade" a facility to become one of the Xtern training site. There are instructions on how to do this at AAPC.com.

In my community college, they provide hands-on training for at least one semester. If the training site likes your work, then it will be easier for you to get your foot in the door. (Remember, a lot of new CPC-A can't find a job because of lack of experience.) Second, it will be faster for you to remove your apprentice status. Instead of 2 years, you will need one year of job experience AND proof of 80 hrs coding education. This is from AAPC:

"A minimum 80 hours of coding education AND one letter on letterhead from your employer verifying one year of on the job experience using the CPT, ICD-9-CM or HCPCS code sets. Proof of education may be sent in the form of a letter from an instructor on school letterhead stating the amount of contact hours earned, a certificate/diploma stating at least 80 contact hours or a school transcript."

Community college will give you a more comprehensive information about billing/reimbursement/coding, etc. When I did my self-study, my book gave a very short course about reimbursement and regulation. I didn't really know what the book was talking about...so I had to Google lots of things.

The downside is that community college training usually lasts for 3 semesters (full time) I think.

I have not taken the AAPC online course, so I can't comment much about it. I would think that for the price they charge you, the course is probably detailed. The downside is you have to be disciplined and motivated. I have been in situations when I was supposed to sit in front of the computer to study... then I end up facebooking.

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Glenmar, how are things going with Clinical Coding Solutions? I am an RN with a CCS (Certified Coding Specialist) credential, looking for a work-at-home coding position. I would greatly appreciate an update, if you would. Thanks so much!

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Specializes in Multiple.

Quit about a year ago. Things were not all they were cracked up to be.

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Oh, sorry to hear that! Did you find another position as a nurse coder? Do you have any advice for us nurses who are looking for work in the coding field? Thank you so much for replying so promptly and sharing your experiences with us!!

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Specializes in Multiple.

No more coding. You can work part time as an RN and make as much as you would as a coder. I have not even kept up my CPC.

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