Medical coding/billing for RNs

[Cgritz77, RN]

Hello all,

I am interested in possibly obtaining a certificate in medical coding/billing in addition to my RN license. There is a community college near me that offers online courses and prepares students to take the coding exam. I would like to continue gaining knowledge in the profession and would like a role that focuses more on auditing type work rather than nursing care. What are some options for RNs to become certified medical coders? Is online community college the best route? Will this be beneficial to my career? Will this open up more positions for me nonclinically? Do medical coders/billers need to complete an internship?

Thank you so much for your help!

[caliotter3]

When I voiced my desire to learn coding, someone who works in the hospital administrative setting warned me that coding work is primarily moving offshore and I would be wasting my money.

[Lane Therrell FNP, MSN, RN, NP]

Coding and billing knowledge is truly specialized, so I say get all the education you can if this is an area of interest for you. I actually spent my morning today looking for continuing education opportunities for myself on billing and coding (good ones are hard to find, but the PESI offerings appear to meet my current needs).

There are a lot of changes happening in coding and billing right now with the expansion of telehealth. From my perspective as an NP (working in telehealth, primary care, and academia) coding and billing is one of those topics like nutrition that they just don't teach in school, but should.

Providers and caregivers should be more knowledgeable about coding and billing because improper coding and billing has a direct impact on reimbursements. Most physician-run primary care clinics are under-billing anyway, and without the baseline knowledge of how or what to do differently, how can they make changes? Also, I see it over and over again that if providers and caregivers knew more about proper coding and billing, they would do a better job of documentation in the first place and could avoid the time-wasting back-and-forth of denials, re-submissions, appeals.

So maybe there's a niche for you in education and consulting?

I'll also say we shouldn't be leaving something this important as billing and coding solely to offshore workers....

[ivyleaf]

I am curious about this too. I have been looking into CCS certification- the AHIMA website says in order to be eligible to sit for the exam that you need to take courses in ICD 10 coding and CPT coding, as well as medical terminology/pathophys/A&P (which is obviously covered by nursing school). The guidelines are somewhat vague. I see a bunch of certificate programs but they include A&P/patho/etc and I dont want to pay to retake those.

Anyone know a good online course in ICD10/CPT that is a good prep for CCS exam?