need info medical coding

cin62 · Mar 6, 2008

Ahima.org has a great online coding program. And is highly recognized by the coding industry!!

Good luck... Not a nurse ... but a Certified Coder for more than 20 years!!

Mijourney · Mar 8, 2008

http://www.ahima.org or http://www.aapc.com are the associations you want to check out as they are considered the gold standards in coding and billing. They both claim to have 50,000members. AHIMA tends to be more facility oriented and AAPC tends to be physician oriented. You need to decide what your coding goals are. If you want to work in an inpatient or outpatient facility like a hospital, I would go with AHIMA. If you want to work in a physician's practice, I would go with the AAPC. Of course, both organizations offer credentials in both facility and physician based practice. Both associations have coder communities that can answer questions that you may have before signing up for the online programs. Both organizations accept CEUs from either association. You just need to become a member of one or both of the organizations. You can email me privately if you have more questions.

skittlesmom · Mar 8, 2008

thank you for all the info. I'm looking for home based or physicians so I'll look into both. Thank you again!

skittlesmom · Mar 8, 2008

thank you for all the info. I'm looking for home based or physicians so I'll look into both. Thank you again!

iwanna · Mar 15, 2008

I am an LPN checking out the coding program. I have not worked since 2004 and have been on disability. I am going through my local OVR. My health has been stabilized for the last two years. I am ready to return to work. I am getting up there in age, so I need to do something quick.

I checked out the vocational school that I graduated from 15 years, ago. I obtained a degree in medical office assistance. However, I never worked as MOA. I pursued nursing school, after I graduated from there. Chronic illness (sarcoidosis) crept up along the way. I worked about 5 1/2 years in behavioral health.

Although, my heart would prefer to get back into nursing after being out for four years. I don't think that my body would be able to handle it. I am still paying on school loans and would like to remain in medical field. And, I would like to find something that would pay comparable to my nursing pay in the past.

My OVR counselor says that I may be able to get some financial assistance for the coding program. However, they would not pay for another degree since I already have ASB degree from the school. Of course, the school is trying to push me into the HIT degree program. And, if I only take the coding courses, I must take A&P and medical terminology tests. I cannot receive lower than a B on these tests. Oh, how embarrassed would I be if I did not pass! I am just worried they will make the tests really hard to pass.

But, if I did go this route would the CPT and ICD-9 courses be sufficient? Of course, I would look into taking certification test afterwards. And, what are my chances of getting hired at my age? I am 51, now. If I took the degree route, I would be 54 by the time I graduate. Also, factor in that I do have a chronic illness. It has been quiet, lately. But, I am in a hurry to get into a job while the getting is good. So, I think that six months is the maximum that I want to spend in school. I cannot get any financial assistance for online programs, or I would go that way.

Mijourney · Mar 15, 2008

iwanna, I answered you under your thread. I did not realize that you were not able to do an online program through the AAPC. Is it possible for you to get a job with an insurance company with your current background? This will give you exposure to coding and reimbursement particularly if you wanted to work in claims. Or, maybe you can find a job in a facility's patient account department. That also will give you exposure to coding and billing. The CPT and ICD9 courses would not be enough. If you are not already familiar, you may have to take accounting, reimbursement, and practice management courses in addition to the coding courses. Check out the AAPC website and see what is included in their program.

vlntrnurs · Sep 10, 2008

Check out the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), American Medical Billing Association (AMBA), RN-coder.com, and American Association of Clinical Coders and Auditors (AACCA) websites.

Kell Arellano · Oct 13, 2008

Who has the cheapest & fastest online training for Medical Billing & Coding?

vlntrnurs · Oct 22, 2008

Hi Kellarln

Do you want to be trained in Medical Billing & Coding? Or

Do you want to be certified in Medical Billing & Coding?

There is a demand for certified coders now.

AHIMA and AAPC have courses in medical coding. AAPC has a coding for certification course.

Once you are certified as a CPC or CCS-P or CCS, the career opportunities are endless.

rntrap · Nov 11, 2008

I am currenty RN looking to take courses in medical coding. I looked into AAPC , AIHMA, and AACA-rn coder boot camp. I was going to go with AIHMA because I can pay per class. I was only going to take the coding classes which would be only 4. AIHMA said this would be fine but I would not get a certificate at the end but could still take the test to get certified. It would only cost $900 if I do it this way. Can any nurses let me know what they did? Thank you!

vlntrnurs · Nov 11, 2008

I am currenty RN looking to take courses in medical coding. I looked into AAPC , AIHMA, and AACA-rn coder boot camp. I was going to go with AIHMA because I can pay per class. I was only going to take the coding classes which would be only 4. AIHMA said this would be fine but I would not get a certificate at the end but could still take the test to get certified. It would only cost $900 if I do it this way. Can any nurses let me know what they did? Thank you!

Hi Rntrap

Many certified coders have self-studied for the coding exams. They did not have the money to spend on courses. So they purchased an introduction to coding textbook, and a study guide for the certification exam. This requies a lot of self-motivation and self-discipline, but many have passed the exam through self-study.

Do you have specific questions about books to purchase?

There has been an increase in employers preferring the CCS or CCS-P from AHIMA.