RN Coder/Auditor

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

Thanks

Specializes in case mgmt, icu, tele.

thanks for the update!!

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Glenmar,

How is everything going at Clinical Coding Solutions? I have been following all of your posts and am curious to find out how you are doing after some time on the job. Also, was curious as to whether you had any coding experience prior to taking your CPC exam. I am also looking at taking this exam, but do not have any experience.

Thanks for all your posts!

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Specializes in Multiple.

Still there. I'm trained on two accounts now and do both procedural and diagnostic coding. No, I did not have any experience before taking the exam. I had just finished the course and then it was almost six months before I got the job. If you wish to work for them it is imperative that you have a professional coding credential like the CPC so I would encourage you to take the exam if that's what you wish to do. Good luck!

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Thanks for the response! There is a one week intensive CPC course in Denver next month I am thinking of doing.

Do you work from home? Are you enjoying it?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Multiple.

I do work from my home computer but am in contact with my account managers in Kansas City on a regular basis either by e-mail or phone. I am enjoying it quite a bit actually. It can be very challenging but thats what makes it interesting. Even though I've now done over 3,000 charts in every batch there's something that comes up that I've not encountered before so there's always something new to learn. The other nice thing is that as long as you do your assigned work you can do it whenever you like and no one is looking over your shoulder. I work for them three days a week. I usually start early morning, finish up my charts in a few hours and then still have the whole rest of the day to do other things. Its nice.

Good luck with the intensive. I believe a few other of the nurses that work for CCS have done it that way and it is doable. Big advantage being a nurse is that you're already familiar with the terminology and a lot of the diagnosis and procedures. Best of luck to you in your course and with the exam.

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Thanks Glenmar!

It is nice to hear that the position is working out for you - it sounds like a pretty nice gig. I am currently in grad school for information technology, and just recently stumbled upon this aspect of nursing. It has been somewhat difficult to gain a true understanding of this specialty as the information on many of these forums is rather conflicting (various opinions on working for CCS, Outcomes, Inc., Medassurant etc.). After some research, it does sound like becoming CPC certified is the way to go. Thank you for all your input!

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Specializes in Multiple.

Wiscodenver,

The CPC is probably the most recognized of the coding certifications. Also, once you have it there are other certifications to layer on top of it in specialty areas of medicine, hospital coding, instructing and now they even have an auditing specialty certification. I had also done a lot of research and am glad I went with the CPC.

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Hi Glenmar,

Thanks for the info. Your posts have been very helpful. I was curious, though, if you are a nurse with a CPC, do the nursing credentials distinguish you in some way, in terms of positions held. I've seen positions for nurse auditors, but also medical coders. Are they the same?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Multiple.

I think one credential enhances the other. For instance I know that CCS will hire coders who are not RNs but if I'm not mistaken they must have several years of coding experience in addition to their CPC. I've seen positions for not only nurse auditors but what is being called a "Clinical Documentation Specialist" which requires one to be an RN and many times also requires some kind of coding certification. The documentation specialist is a nurse that liaisons with both hospital and medical nursing staff in-servicing them as to how to improve their documentation so it can be coded properly and facility reimbursement issues can be prevented. The nurse would have to have some familiarity with ICD-9 and CPT so a coding credential would be preferred. The CPC is a good thing to have.

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Specializes in case mgmt, icu, tele.

Glenmar,

thanks for the updates...I'm an RN, just got back from the cpc exam about 2 hours ago....it was absolutely brutal!!! I finished all the questions, but do not have a good feeling about passing...Well, we'll see-would like to get my resume into CCS if I happen to pass-I have heard such great things about them!

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Jtinker,

Congrats on at least taking the exam! Hopefully you will have done well enough. Did you have coding experience prior to taking the exam or did you take a course?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Multiple.

jtinker,

I'm sure you did fine. I didn't have a good feeling after I took it. It took me almost the entire five hours but I did OK. You should know after a few weeks or even sooner. I found out by logging onto the AAPC website and saw my name with CPC after it before I ever got my credentials in the mail. As soon as you get your certificate, get your resume into CCS. It might take awhile but they'll get around to you.

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