need info medical coding

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Does anyone know of an online medical coder course that offers the certifications needed to be certified as a medical coder? I've searched online and there are so many that I am now confused. :bugeyes:

I have decided to give this a go and become a certified coder. However I am wondering where I would find a position doing so and from home. Does anyone know where you can work as a RN Coder? I looked into clinical coding solutions that suggested in this forum. I was disappointed to find out it is only contract work. They pay per chart as low $1.00 an hr and you must supply your own equipment. I was wondering if there are any companies that hire permanent part or full time positions and pay hourly or salary.

Thanks!

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I have decided to give this a go and become a certified coder. However I am wondering where I would find a position doing so and from home. Does anyone know where you can work as a RN Coder? I looked into clinical coding solutions that suggested in this forum. I was disappointed to find out it is only contract work. They pay per chart as low $1.00 an hr and you must supply your own equipment. I was wondering if there are any companies that hire permanent part or full time positions and pay hourly or salary.

Thanks!

Hi Rntrap

You said that you "looked into clinical coding solutions that suggested in this forum."

Where is "clinical coding solutions" located in this forum or on this web site?

I'm interested in know what "clinical coding solutions" is and where to find it.

Thanks!

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I do enjoy coding. I am working with Medassurant capturing hcc, icd 9 codes. I really like it however the work is not always steady. The work is more available for certified coders. I decided to get certified in coding. I like coding and it doesn't hurt to expand into other areas. I hear nurses being hired as RN coders or rn auditors. I can't remember where I found this in this forum. I have been doing so much research on where to go to get trained and certified, looking for jobs. I have looked into fone med and call care for home based positions. However, I only have a BSN with 3 1/2 yrs of nursing. Alot of these places won't even give me a chance! They want 5 to 10 yrs. clinical experience. I don't mind taking a pay cut if I can get ahead later. Just curious what my options are as a RN Coder. Thanks for any info.

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I just wanted to let you if you do a search on this site and type in clinical coding solution you will find the info that was mention about this company. Someone stated they pay $30 to $50 per hr. When I called today they said as low as $1.00 to $2.40. You are an independent contractor. Maybe this is the way to go. I don't know!

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Hi Rntrap,

I came across this post by Kojak on Sep 14, 2008, 10:53 PM:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/coding-333520.html

Many hospitals and companies hire certified coders with the certifications from AHIMA or AAPC. They are preferring coders with the CCS or CCS-P certifications from AHIMA. If you pass the CCS-P or CCS exams, you should have many opportunities to get coding jobs.

If you're going to spend your time and money, spend it on the CCS-P or CCS. Once you get the CCS-P or CCS, you should be able to find a job quickly!

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rntrap, I don't work specifically as a coder but I do work that requires coding knowledge. What I have found is that if you're wanting to work specifically as a coder, expect lower pay because your coding abilities are all that you're being paid for. That's what I found out when I applied for various coding positions using both my nursing and coding credentials. Once you get several or more years of coding experience under your belt, then you can seek more pay. I went to a local school to learn coding and billing and appreciated the face to face contact with the instructor and other students. Many of the required courses such as pathophysiology and pharmacology were waived. I took the courses specific to health information management and coding and graduated with a certificate. It took me about a year to complete the program. If you want to study coding on your own, that's fine. I would still consider joining an organization and attending meetings for networking purposes.

If you are a member of AHIMA or AAPC, you could check their job sites and look for jobs that prefer an RN and see what they pay. You may have better fortune that way. Otherwise, consider applying for positions in insurance and hospital. In insurance you could work in the reimbursement area. In the hospital, you could work in revenue integrity or as a clinical documentation specialist. Keep in mind that in insurance, in particular, people sometimes get an opportunity to work from home.

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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 said positive things about AHIMA's coding courses. When I started out in coding, I looked into AHIMA's coding courses, however, it was too expensive.

If you are going to take coding classes, AHIMA's coding courses are highly recommended by many certified coders.

If you are going to spend your time and money, AHIMA's coding courses would be the way to go.

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the ahima and the aapc? is that for north carolina or for all over the country. I am in nc and i was going to go to the community college. But it takes 13 months and although time is not a problem. If there is a quicker way i would like to look into it. thanks in advance.

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the ahima and the aapc? is that for north carolina or for all over the country. I am in nc and i was going to go to the community college. But it takes 13 months and although time is not a problem. If there is a quicker way i would like to look into it. thanks in advance.

AHIMA and AAPC are national organizations with state chapters. They are for the whole country and then some. I would check with their distance learning programs. If you are a nurse, you may not need to go through the whole program.

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I have my RN(registered nurse) license from the state of Florida for the past 5 years.But here is my story.

I have my Bachelors in nursing and masters in maternity nursing

degrees from another country with 3 years of work experience in the field of

nursing education.After I came to US, I took the NCLEX exam(2003)

and got my RN license. But I never worked , since I stay at

home to be with my kids.Now I want to get back to work.I have

to take up refresher courses to get back to work.I am actively pursuing

different areas of nursing and health care and medical coding has piqued my interest, since I also have some back and knee issues.

Can someone please tell me if I have made a right choice?What are the scope

for this profession?Will I be able to land in a job as soon as I get a medical

coder certification.? My local community college offers

Medical Information Coder/Biller: Health Information Management course.

Is it good to take a course from a community college or from AHIMA?I prefer classroom courses to online courses since I have been out of work force for long.Does AHIMA and AAPC offer classroom courses too?

Please help me make a career choice and advise me on all the above issues.

Feel free to even suggest other career choices that you think will suit my background.Your valuable input will be highly appreciated.

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Specializes in Education, Case Mgt, Clinical Documentat.

Hello Everyone,

FYI, there is a new specialty in the nursing community - Clinical Documentation Specialist. This need was brought about by payors reviewing medical records to find mistakes in documentation and coding for the purpose of downgrading or denying payment.

In addition to knowledge of coding, this new specialty requires knowledge of effective clinical review to ensure appropriate assignment of principal and secondary diagnosis. I do conduct training for this specialty. Anyone interested, please feel free to contact me.

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Specializes in ICU.

Will you be so kind to email me more info on CDS. I am interested in going into this nursing specialty now that I am getting up there in age. My email address is [email protected]. Thank you very much.

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