RN vs Medical Billing and Coding

RazorbackRN, BSN, RN · May 15, 2007

Does anyone have any experience in Medical Billing and coding? What job opportunities are avilable and also how is the pay compared to RN?

I was an Insurance Manager for a Clinic for 6 years and an Acct. Rep for a large hospital for 4 years prior to becoming an RN. I was responsible for the billing and coding in both positions. I made about half of what I do as an RN.

Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN · May 15, 2007

It NEVER fails to AMAZE me that the people (Billing/coding) that are in many ways responsible for the INCOME of any FACILITY will often be found with little formal education and small incomes!

They have an AWESOME responsibility. I think some hospitals are using RN's in coding type roles and improving clinical documentation to facilitate max reimbursement! GREAT idea!

:eek:

prowlingMA · May 16, 2007

Usually a certified coder, goes through a program 9-12 months, works in hospitals or clinics, little if any patient contact, earns depending on location and experience $12-20 hr.

Kwontor · Jul 14, 2008

I completed a 2-year certificate Medical Coding program. I choose it because back then I did not think I had what it took to do patient care. I was unsuccessful in finding a position. I am now working towards RN. The demand is just not there for coding, does not have the diversity that nursing has either. Just my opinion....Coding was actually very interesting though! Good luck deciding, feel free to message me with any other questions you might have:nuke:

whodatnurse · Jul 14, 2008

m glad somebody asked this, because a guy I met recently in one of my pre-reqs, who worked as a tech in a hospital, said that the billing and coding people rake in six figures annually. He, likeme, is pursuing nursing, but he talked as if he wished he could get into billing and coding.

I also heard that those going into radiography make in the six figures...but then there was a post on here recently in which most people seemed to think otherwise.

I don't know if it has to do with where you live, wishful thinking, or what...it's all rather confusing...

Pinkster · Jul 14, 2008

m glad somebody asked this, because a guy I met recently in one of my pre-reqs, who worked as a tech in a hospital, said that the billing and coding people rake in six figures annually. He, likeme, is pursuing nursing, but he talked as if he wished he could get into billing and coding.
I also heard that those going into radiography make in the six figures...but then there was a post on here recently in which most people seemed to think otherwise.
I don't know if it has to do with where you live, wishful thinking, or what...it's all rather confusing...

Wishful thinking for sure.

Radiologists as in MDs make six figures.

Getting into Medical Billing isn't hard. It's because of that, you make maybe 20 bucks an hour.

....I spent one year on a two year degree in Medical Office Administration (way too boring for me) and then looked Radiology tech... no advancement.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Jul 14, 2008

In the office I worked at before going back to nursing school we did all our own coding and billing. Both I (certified clinical medical assistant) and the receptionists/administrative medical assistants would do the ICD-9 codes and another two would do the billing. About a year or so before I left they outsourced the billing end of it; not sure what the reasons were...but knowing the MDs I worked for I am sure it was because it saved them money....but the clinical medical assistants and receptionists/administrative medical assistants still do all the coding...and we all got paid peanuts!!! (I was making 9/hr without benefits after nearly 5 years of services when I left for NS)

whodatnurse · Jul 14, 2008

Wishful thinking for sure.
Radiologists as in MDs make six figures.
Getting into Medical Billing isn't hard. It's because of that, you make maybe 20 bucks an hour.
....I spent one year on a two year degree in Medical Office Administration (way too boring for me) and then looked Radiology tech... no advancement.

Thank you, but I did mean radiography, a term which I hear used interchangeably with radiology technician...the people who do ultrasounds, MRIs and CT scans. That's the term my local cc uses for their two year program...

Another poster mentioned that the billing at her office eventually got outsources. This is something very important for anyone to keep in mind when choosing a 21st century career...do NOT choose any profession that can be done on a computer by someone in an impoverished nation who would be more than happy to make the equivalent of 5,000 US dollars annually!!!

Even becoming a radiologist (M.D.)...I would think twice before choosing that as a specialty. X-ray images can be loaded onto a computer and evaluated by a doctor from anywhere in the world.

jla623 · Jul 14, 2008

I did medical billing while I was waiting for nursing school to start. It was awful, tedious and boring. I would not recommend it. Unless you like sitting in front of a computer all day and doing mindless work.

I really don't think you can compare it to nursing...

vlntrnurs · Sep 10, 2008

You can get more information from 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.

They provide salary information on the different specialties in coding.

luvs2readlotsRN · Sep 14, 2008

I worked as a coder at a local hospital, eventually getting certified. Granted this was a few years ago(14)but have kept up with my contacts in the field. They currently start out $9-11/hour topping out in our area at about $14/hr. I live in the midwest. Hope this helps!

PS....A local "trade school" continually advertises on television how as a coder "You can make up to $60,000 a year."...I have never met anyone who made this much as a coder in the midwest(Maybe on the coasts?).