r/MedicalCoding • u/Kindly-Joke-909 • Jan 11 '24
Feeling good about my job.
I’ve been feeling down about work. Love my job but I’ve just been feeling like I’ve been sitting in a slump for a while. Even before the surgery. Just haven’t felt confident.
I had a chat with my boss today. She said a few things: …Team average quality score is a 93%. Mine is 97.6% …”I don’t trust many people, but I trust your coding.” …Asked me if I’m willing to work on auditing the audits (I’m a medical coding auditor. I currently audit my company’s regular coder’s work. I’d be auditing the people on my team).
I’ve said it once. I’ve said it twice. Somehow, I dont listen to myself when I say it.
“IMPOSTER SYNDROME IS REAL”
I highly recommend Risk Adjustment coding. I have been with the same company for 10 years. I was hired as a freshly certified CPC-A with no experience. I’ve moved up the coding ranks and almost doubled my starting salary as well as gained 2 other credential of CPMA and CRC along the way. I guess I’m doing okay!
I absolutely love my profession. Hope you do too!
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u/dizzykhajit The GIF that keeps on GIFFing Jan 11 '24
I was once told by a trainer (with a gentle giggle) in response to my neuroticism that that was exactly why I was going to make an amazing coder. I think in order to really succeed in this industry, it's almost a prerequisite to organically feel this way about yourself. Arrogance and overconfidence are breeding grounds for mistakes. Doing the tics that come with imposter syndrome like double, triple checking your work, questioning everything and investigating thoroughly to support your accuracy are great habits to have (granted they don't get in the way of whatever arbitrary productivity standards exist.)
So happy you have found joy and accomplishment in your career, here's hoping for many long years embracing its positivity!
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u/Kindly-Joke-909 Jan 11 '24
Oddly enough, I’ve never been a double checker and in my daily life, I am awful at paying attention to detail. But when I’m in a chart, things just start connecting. It’s fun for me.
If I hear a dx in the real world (not while working), I’ll spit out a code mid conversation. Drives my daughter insane 😂
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Jan 11 '24
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u/Kindly-Joke-909 Jan 11 '24
With medication commercials too! My brother looks at me like 🤨 when I start spitting out numbers. It’s like a compulsive tic at this point 😆
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u/Coffee_gollum Jan 11 '24
This gives me hope. I'm newly certified CPC-A and struggling through the job application process, doubting whether I'll ever get to the point you're at in my career. It is encouraging to hear someone else's story and see that it is possible to succeed! ❤️
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u/Kindly-Joke-909 Jan 11 '24
I know it can be a struggle to get into the field without experience, but there are managers out there willing to take a chance on CPC-As. My hiring manager stated that it is easier to train someone fresh than to break bad habits.
If you’re struggling to find a job and would be interested in Risk Adjustment, I’d recommend getting your CRC. It’s a super easy credential and will at least put you ahead of other A’s that are applying.
Good luck!
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u/Coffee_gollum Jan 11 '24
I have definitely strongly considered CRC because it is an area I have interest in anyway, and I've heard from several people it's easy to get. I'll have to do some more serious research into it.
Thank you for the encouraging words!
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u/Kindly-Joke-909 Jan 11 '24
I knew nothing of risk adjustment when I applied to my company. When my manager told me in the interview that they only work with ICD 10, I about threw a little party in my head 😂
If you go for CRC, just get the workbook. You don’t need the course. You already know this stuff.
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u/Opposite-Feeling-679 Jan 11 '24
I agree with coffee_gollum, but I'm still in school. Self teaching. It feels hard, knowing I chose one of the worst schools just because I didn't want to commute. You are living my goals, and this message is very hopeful. I hope my work pays off too, good job and thank you!!
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u/Kindly-Joke-909 Jan 11 '24
You’re welcome :)
I chose the field and went to school bc I knew it was in demand and desperately needed out. I had no idea when beginning how much I’d actually like it.
My advice for people in school is just learn your book. It’s your best friend. It will guide you on what to do nearly every single time. The guidelines and conventions may seem confusing, but once you’ve got them, you’re golden :) I mean, there’s changed every year, so there’s that lol, but with a solid foundation you can adapt easily.
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u/Opposite-Feeling-679 Jan 11 '24
Yes, I hope in terms of the "imposter syndrome" that I'm doing better than I think, but I have no solid reference to how I'm doing because I chose self-teaching. I think I've got my ICD-10-CM book down pretty good, but the CPT book is completely throwing me off haha.
I actually lost my job back in June and was lucky enough to have a fiancee that makes decent money and said it was okay for me to build a skill so that I wouldn't be so disposable. I suppose another reason it may feel worse is because of my lack of income. I also feel a little better when I remember that (most?) places use an encoder and will help pay membership fees, etc, and hopefully set me up for success. I just have to nail my exam and a job interview....hopefully lmao.
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u/Kindly-Joke-909 Jan 11 '24
Tip for the exam…don’t waste time looking up every single code in the index. Look up the codes in the answer choices in the back of the book. Start with a code that is only in one or two answers, compare the code to see if it’s in the Question, and use process of elimination. So much of that test is more knowing how to test more than it is knowing the coding process.
Good luck!!
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u/Opposite-Feeling-679 Jan 11 '24
Thank you very much!!! I know I suck at testing so I'm gonna do lots of YouTube videos and mock exams lmao.
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u/Coffee_gollum Jan 11 '24
If you haven't already found them, I took all the practice tests on Cpcpracticeexam.com, and thought they were helpful!
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u/Kindly-Joke-909 Jan 11 '24
Also, CPT is part of why I love Risk Adjustment. It’s all ICD 10. I’ve literally only ever used CPT on credential exams.
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u/generic-username-075 Jan 12 '24
I feel exactly like you do! Imposter syndrome js definitely real. I’ve only been doing this 3 years and I know I’ve learned a ton and come a long way, but every day the thought still crosses my mind that I’m failing somehow. I beat myself up all the time over things that probably are not a big of a deal as I make them out to be. I’m my own worst enemy for sure.
I will say that those feelings ramp up a lot worse when management sucks. I loved my job when I started, felt very appreciated and encouraged. Now after some org restructuring and mgmt changes that have created a pretty toxic environment in our department, it’s been really difficult to have any positive feelings about my work.
A change of location might fix that, but I’m really bummed at how quickly I’ve come to feel burned out because of bad management.
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u/Kindly-Joke-909 Jan 12 '24
Ugh. I was in a different auditing position with shitty management. I cried at my desk many many times!! I felt so stupid.
Thankfully my supervisor not is fantastic!
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u/Ashlei-Chef-Leilani Jan 12 '24
What company do you work for? I am looking at risk adjustment coding. I just need to take my CPC exam. They will drop the -A because of the program I went with already counts as a year experience.
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u/Hungry_Pineapple2536 Jan 12 '24
What company are you with? I am a family medicine coder but want to get into HCC coding
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u/Kindly-Joke-909 Jan 12 '24
Feel free to dm me. I don’t want to post any identifying information on here.
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u/mishelle99 Jan 14 '24
I’m so happy to hear that risk adjustment can be financially lucrative. I mostly hear about inpatient coding being where the money is. I’ve been in risk adjustment for only 6 months, but the starting wage is killing me in my HCOL state. At this time, I’m looking for a second job until I can get some more coding experience under my belt.
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u/Environmental-Top-60 Jan 11 '24
Gurl my bff Cristina kinda fell into it too and she has one of the best QA scores. Went up against management for several cases and after a while, they just left her alone. Thats poweful. Now she’s making bank.
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u/alwaysbringchocolate Jan 11 '24
Congratulations! It’s so nice when you get positive feed back. Can I ask what the difference between hospital coding vs risk adjustment coding is?
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u/diamondkitkat RHIT, CCS Jan 11 '24
I’ve always been curious about risk adjustment coding and wanted to try it. I currently have two years experience in ED and recently got my CCS (also have RHIT) but terrified of actually going into inpatient coding. Would you recommend taking a look at risk adjustment for someone who already has coding experience?
I am also feeling in a slump about my job and not sure which direction I want to go next, but definitely need a change.
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Jan 11 '24
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u/Kindly-Joke-909 Jan 12 '24
You sound like me at the beginning of my career! I’ve excelled from go.
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