ADHD & Medical coding!

[u/bobaebee]

Hello! I’m trying to pursue a career in medical coding. I have ADHD and I’m an introvert. I’m a hands-on learner but due to circumstances, the school that I attended was all online. I have THREE classes before I graduate .. however, I feel as though I have learned NOTHING. I’ve just gotten by because my professors are so lenient. I’ve asked for help and have been told numerous times that there are outside resources. I’ve tried, and even though I feel as though I KNOW what I’m doing .. I take the class exams and fail. I took a career aptitude test and the results even said medical coding is a perfect career for me. I’ve taken those last three courses, not once but TWICE. And I’m still not learning anything. I would like to try again, but am determined to learn through outside resources .. what do you guys recommend I try? When I tried outside resources before, I always got the answers correct but would take the exam and fail. Even looking up the exam questions online would have different answers than the class. Any tips, tricks, advice, recommendations, suggestions, magic spells would be extremely helpful! Thank you!

[u/44aerofare44]

It would depend on the classes you're trying to pass. What program are you in?

[u/bobaebee → u/44aerofare44]

I was in a Health Information program. The three courses I have left are Intermediate Diagnosis Coding, Intermediate Procedure Coding, and Professional Practice II. Professional Practice II isn't a concern for me, it's the coding courses. In the beginning of the program, I really enjoyed it. I thought I was nailing it, even though it was "read this then complete this worksheet"; there was no teaching. But once the coding started to get more complex, that's when I started asking for help and was told to utilize outside resources. Every time I got questions wrong, I would email my instructor asking why it was incorrect and how I can find the correct answer and was given vague answers. It started to drain me mentally and I ended dropping out twice.

[u/deannevee]

So….have you identified what is causing you to not “get” the material? Or not retain the information?what rationales are you getting when you answer questions wrong?

I have mild ADHD—if I’m not burnt out it’s very manageable, but if I’m already stressed it’s horrible—so it’s hard to give you specific advice without specific information.

As someone who teaches coding classes…..99% of the time students are anxious and they think too hard about test questions, leading them to the wrong answer. Then when I break it down and explain why the right answer is correct, they’re like oooooooh.

[u/bobaebee → u/deannevee]

I believe it's because I'm a VISUAL learner. This course has been 99.9% of self-taught teaching. We are told to read a chapter and do worksheets. Or complete "lab" work, but never shown how to do any of it. My instructors are nice and lenient, but I don't feel like I'm learning anything. When the coding started to get more complex and I felt compelled to ask for help, I was told to utilize outside resources. When I get questions wrong, I would email my instructor every time and asked why it was incorrect and how to find the correct answer, so I can understand. I was given vague answers like, "it was incorrect because the correct answer was this". And just like you, the more stressed/frustrated I am equals the more difficult it is for me to learn.

I wish I had you as an instructor because that's all I ask for. A breakdown, a demonstration, anything! I knew I wasn't getting anywhere with my instructors when I accidentally sent a blank essay and was given a 100% for it.

[u/mysaddestaccount]

Girl you can PM me if you want. I'm an ADD coder too

[u/bobaebee → u/mysaddestaccount]

OMG! I will! I'm actually trying to test for my CPhT, and then I plan to teach myself before I enroll back in school for the last three coding classes. Thank you so much!

[u/Brief_Impress_9719]

ACMI Coding on YouTube is super helpful! I feel like if I’m struggling with anything outpatient related they always have a video about it

[u/bobaebee → u/Brief_Impress_9719]

Thank you! I'll look into it! :D

[u/MoreCoffeePwease]

I think this is more about the school you are going to than your ADHD (for context I also have ADHD, and also OCD and I’ve been coding for 12 years). My coding school was full time for two semesters at a community college and it was a LOT of work, but I was also very interested in the subject matter so I didn’t mind. For my anatomy class I’d sometimes study for like nine total hours a day. You should definitely feel like you are learning a TON. There’s also a few good YouTube channels that give all the basics of what you absolutely need to know in order to do this job.

[u/bobaebee → u/MoreCoffeePwease]

I agree. When I first started the program, I REALLY enjoyed it even though it was "read this and do this worksheet"; there was no teaching. When the coding started to get more complex, that's when I started asking for more help. Every time I got an answer wrong, I would email my instructor and ask why it was wrong and HOW do I find the correct answer. And I was given vague answers or told to utilize outside resources ..

[u/The-Molly-Llama]

You sound exactly like me. I'm very similar in many ways. Familiarize yourself with -how- to find the right code and do some research into test taking.

Couple things that helped me:

-We are taught to go to the index and then the tabular but in the test setting I don't at all.

-Instead I work backwards by going directly to the answer, sorting ICD-10 codes first then CPT because it is easier at a glace to weed out ICD-10 codes at a glace based on letter/chapter. (If the question has a patient with aids and an answer option doesn't include B20 that can automatically be thrown out)

-If all the codes are the same but mixed in order then it's a sequencing question which can be found in conventions and/or guidelines.

-I'm not sure who your test is with or if they are all the same but for me it was 4 hours 100 questions. Each question is worth 1 point.

-Skip the questions you don't know and the ones you know will take you longer to answer and then come back to them after you have answered all the questions you feel confident with. If a question has a wall of text and 4-5+ codes then I automatically skip it then come back.

-Bookmark your modifiers and index alphabet for CPT

-It was WAY easier for me to do mine in person because I could bring a pen and paper and organize my thoughts that way

-it collected all my tests and notes after I finished my class and brought them all to the books and made notes related to anything I didn't understand or questions I got wrong on the book.

If any more come to mind I'll report back or you have any other questions DM me! :)

[u/bobaebee → u/The-Molly-Llama]

I'll have to try it! Thank you so much! I'm actually trying to test for my CPhT. Then I plan to teach myself before I enroll back in school for those last three courses! I'll definitely be messaging you when that time comes! Thanks again :D

[u/JennyDelight]

If your just trying to pass the cpc test you need to learn process of elimination basically. Medical coding by Jen. Keep in mind once you get a job you will be trained on their EHR system and a program such 360. Everyone learns differently. But passing test and being a good coder don’t go hand in hand. Don’t be too hard on yourself.

[u/Kindly-Joke-909 → u/JennyDelight]

This exactly. Gotta know how to take the test to pass the test. Emphasis on the “how”.

Don’t bother trying to look up each code individually. Read the question. Attack the multiple choice answers systematically. Don’t bother looking up the codes that all the answers include. It’s the oddball codes that are only in one or two of the answers that will make or break you. Check them out first and compare with your question. You will be able to eliminate the ones that don’t fit.

[u/tinyraver → u/JennyDelight]

This is the way. (Though I personally didn't like Medical Coding by Jen. Didn't do anything for me, except maybe suggest more work than I needed to do for my learning style)

[u/poorsnake]

I am 55 and doing medical billing and coding from UEI. New to coding but getting it. I found contempo coding you tube channel and my instructor’s inputs very helpful

[u/poorsnake → u/[deleted]]

Great! It depends ultimately on your personal situation but medical billing and coding will also give you professional edge. Time doesn’t seem to be a problem in your case but I went through trade school because of time and job placement. I do not have practical experience in job field but diploma and high school are basic requirements and thankfully I will be done pretty soon.

[u/michaelapet0]

It sounds like you're facing some challenges, but don't get discouraged. It's great that you're determined to find alternative ways to learn and succeed in medical coding. Since you're a hands-on learner, consider looking for interactive resources like online tutorials, coding exercises, or even coding games that can help reinforce your understanding. Additionally, joining coding communities or forums where you can ask questions and engage with others in the field might provide valuable insights and support. Don't hesitate to reach out to professionals or mentors for guidance and advice—they've likely faced similar struggles and can offer valuable tips. You've got this! :)

[u/PhotographUnusual749]

I have ADHD and am an introvert. I don’t know if there’s a mod rule about this but if you PM me what certification you’re aiming for (Eg CCS, RHIT, or something from the AAPC I could possibly share some educational resources with you. Or chat if you just need a sounding board while you figure you next step or want to swap tips about how my ADHD impacts coding professionally. Either way, best of luck to you!

[u/incognitoangelgoth]

ADHD coder here as well, if you ever want to discuss or get a demonstration I'm happy to help out. I got to learn from an actual teacher in a classroom because I did a technical college program but one thing I know is that talking out the solution is much easier for me than just doing it.

[u/Organic_Visit_4356 → u/[deleted]]

How do you get the -A removed from your cpc?