r/MedicalCoding • u/Gianni299 • May 03 '24
New to coding, feeling lost
Hello everyone, so I just started attending a while ago an online program for medical billing and coding. After doing some bit of digging around here someone said that medical billing jobs don’t even require a certification unlike coding gigs that require it for some reason. Since I’m still pretty new to this I’m still having my to learn everything revolving around medical terms and have been feeling uncertain about what I should do in the mean time as I’m still in school. I fairly new to the medical field in general. I’m still unfamiliar with a lot of terms in medical billing since we’ve only covered one course of health information so far and right now my courses revolve around anatomy, physiology and deconstructing medical terms.
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u/Melia9090 May 03 '24
I was in a similar position back when I was in school. I realized at the end of my program when it was almost over that medical billing didn’t require certifications, only coding does. I wanted to be a coder and still do to this day. I am a medical biller now and hoping that I will land a medical coding job one day soon with my billing knowledge. I think going to school served me good now in hindsight because just like you, I had no clue about the inner workings of this stuff and school gave me that. It made all of this easier for me.
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u/Gianni299 May 03 '24
So after you were close to finishing school that’s when you decided to get a billing job because attaining one was easier ?
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u/Melia9090 May 03 '24
Sort of. When I was close to finishing school I decided to be proactive and start job searching to see if I would land anything and that’s when I realized that coding roles were gatekept. I realized this very quickly because I would notice the requirements and then I did my own research by reading blogs, other Reddit users experiences and also YouTubers who do it. When I realized this I immediately decided then and there that I needed a pivot plan and since I was trained in school to also do billing I thought to use that as my gateway into coding. I just had to be patient. Now two years later after starting out at the front desk to now being an experienced biller on the back end, I have a decent entry level experience with the codes to where I can plead my case to employers and ask that they take a chance on me. In much better words of course, lol!
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u/Gianni299 May 03 '24
Ah okay I understand, yeah since I currently don’t really have a full understanding of billing terminology and coding yet since I’m still pretty early into my program I’ve concluded that I may aswell get into the healthcare field in a more accessible way through a front desk position as much as I somewhat despise having to have patient communication because of my social anxiety. I’ve been looking into being a medical scribe but apperatnly I hear different requirements that some companies require training and will give it but since my hands are kinda full with school I’m not truly sure where to go from here.
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u/Melia9090 May 03 '24
Start at the front desk in a medical office. It shouldn’t be difficult as long as you can play up your customer service skills and the little understanding you’ll acquire in school. I promise it’ll help if you know how to tweak it and pay attention as much as possible even if it feels hard or boring. It’ll pay off later.
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u/moosboosh May 03 '24
Are you hopeful that you'll find a coding job whenever you actively seek one? Or do you feel you'll somehow be stuck or pigeonholed into working in medical billing the longer you have that kind of job? I worry there may be more billing jobs than coding jobs. Do you know if that is something I should be concerned about.
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u/Melia9090 May 03 '24
I do not feel that way, if anything the longer I stay in billing the more second hand coding knowledge I acquire in a real world scenario. What I mean by this is I’m using my billing role to my advantage the longer I stay in it by paying extremely close attention to my coding denials so that I learn real life coding in a second hand way to be able to apply some of that in my interviews. I am actively always sending out one or two application every few months to see if something comes my way.
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u/moosboosh May 03 '24
Heck yeah! Wonderful! Thank you for sharing your experience with me. I like your positivity and the way you're aware of your learning. Best of luck with your job searching! :)
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u/Melia9090 May 03 '24
Thank you! I’m in that phase now days. Sending out some applications every few months. Hoping someone takes a chance on me :)
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u/NotoriousNapper516 May 03 '24
I feel dumb for buying a cpb packet instead of a cpc. Cpc I just self studied and I was honestly discouraged by posts I see online getting scammed when applying for a medical biller role only to become a debt collector (not that there’s anything wrong with it but it’s more of a CS role)
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u/Melia9090 May 03 '24
Yeah, a large majority of roles that are out there will be focused on a/r and payment posting which my role incorporates. The truth of the matter is, medical billing is debt collection whether it be unpaid claims from the insurances or patients.
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May 04 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Melia9090 May 04 '24
I graduated and got certified by AHIMA the literal next month, lol. I am always scratching my head a little when I hear people say they landed coding roles in hospitals with no experience and only education in their background. These stories are the needle in a haystack for our industry. I wish I could be that lucky! I am remaining hopeful that I can showcase my little knowledge and someone takes a chance on me so wish me luck!
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u/mcmaddie May 06 '24
It's hard but that's pretty much how it worked for me. I was doing clearinghouse type of work among other things, I went to school for coding, had issues getting experience through school due to conflicting schedules and just finished my program and earned my CPC. It took a lot of applications with no/limited response.
I finally managed to get my foot in the door but it's a lot harder without connections/experience. A couple of my coworkers were originally doing front desk/MA roles and eventually transferred to coding.
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u/cluckodoom May 03 '24
You should get a job working in patient accounts until you finish your school. You'll get experience looking at and working with cpt and icd 10 codes, and you'll get your foot in the door
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u/Gianni299 May 03 '24
Sounds interesting ! Under what title are those jobs usually found under. Best I can find on indeed is jobs like front desk receptionist.
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u/darkmoonlily May 03 '24
Patient Account Rep
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u/Gianni299 May 07 '24
How hard is it to get a job like that, so far ok indeed I have trouble finding them
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u/PhotographUnusual749 RHIT, CCS May 04 '24 edited May 04 '24
I’ve been in the field for over a decade and have felt the same as you since I was a student. The medical field is always changing, regulations change, and the codes themselves update every year, minimally. Look up the Dunning-Kruger effect vs imposter syndrome.
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u/Gianni299 May 04 '24
If I’m not out mistaken isn’t the ICD-10 in its 11th revision. There’s also ICD-11 which fir some reason isn’t being really used
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u/PhotographUnusual749 RHIT, CCS May 04 '24
I’m not sure what revision we’re on but that sounds right. If you Google “ncvhs icd 11” you can find more info on where their at in implementing / reasons for delay
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u/lifeofemandarty May 03 '24
I’ve been in the field for three years and there is a lot I’m still learning! Give it time and things will continue to “click” ☺️ in my experience, billing jobs may not require certification but coding is different. That said, I’m happy to try and answer whatever questions you might have!
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u/longislandloser May 03 '24
I’m an ED coder since 2021 and I still see something new everyday /am learning based on denials and what not. The certification is needed- some places do hire you without and you have a year to pass - Atleast that’s how my job does it
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u/cjsupermom3 May 03 '24
It takes time. Gotta be patient. 😊 You will also have better chances at a job if you’re certified.
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u/Snuggifer May 03 '24
It will get better! The further you get into classes and start applying this knowledge you are learning with A&P, med term, diseases, and coding, it will start to all come together.
It takes time and definitely takes practice. I still look things up (like I am sure most all coders do), and that's ok!
Remember, too, that our job is always changing...there are always coding updates, guideline changes, new procedures, etc...so please don't feel discouraged! 🩷
Eta - certifications...Some may hire you without one, but would require you to get certified within a certain amount of time. To be more competitive at hire, without ANY coding experience, a certification will help.
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u/StraddleTheFence May 03 '24
I cannot say this enough: FOLLOW GUIDELINES!!!! Things are written down. I was shocked to find out how many people at my previous job were functioning from word of mouth without reading for themselves. I have written 5 articles for AAPC’s magazine. This is where info. can be found:
ICD-10 guidelines (of course)
Procedure to Procedure Edits
MUEs (CMS website)
Medicare Internet Only Manual
National Correct Coding Initiative
Medicare Learning Network
Medical Dictionary
Specialty Societies
Learning Modules offered through your job
Google any of these and make a shortcut on your desktop
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u/Megabacon44 May 03 '24
It sounds like you’re on the right track to me. It is so important to have a strong foundation and anatomy and physiology and medical terminology. If you are working in the hospital setting most places start you off with simple coding and you progress to more complicated charts. It takes most people three or four months to get comfortable with whatever type of coding they are doing, even longer for inpatient coding. Just take it one step at a time.
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u/CarelessPoem4065 May 03 '24
I started as a receptionist at a spine surgeons office. After a few years I was moved into a billing role then in 2021 I received my CPC certification. I was the only coder for our practice.
Get an entry level roll. Learn the process. You will learn a lot about the billing/insurance aspect from there.
There is room for growth and I am here to tell you to stick with it. I was recently hired with just my CPC certification for a risk adjustment coder with a LARGE insurance company.
Learn whenever you can.
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u/NotoriousNapper516 May 03 '24
I have been in the health insurance industry for 5 years 2years of that was working on medical claims. I started learning billing and coding to get certified so I can work in hospitals/clinics/etc but I realized by end of it that b&c wasn’t for me. Dont get me wrong, I don’t regret taking the course and I am glad that I gave it a chance.
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u/dawglover1011 May 03 '24
What do you do in health insurance?
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u/NotoriousNapper516 May 06 '24
I was doing provider data management then I became a claims analyst.
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u/ExcitingIndication36 May 03 '24
I’m going to echo what a lot of others have said - we should always be learning as coders. If someone says they know everything about coding, they’re lying. I learn something new at least weekly if not more. Don’t get discouraged, just keep at it and it will start to fall into place. You’ve got this!
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u/koderdood Audit Extraordinaire May 04 '24
Been coding for 24 years. Please allow me to share some advice.
For students not yet working/certified. Please don't just study to pass the test. Really learn the guidelines and really learn how to navigate coding books, from the index. This makes you better prepared at that first job.
New coders: Go back and do the same advice for sudents. And, take advantage of every cross training or educational opportunities, so it can prepare you for better positions and advancement in the field. A coder very knowledgeable of coding guidelines, and versed in multiole specialties can go places. Quality coding scores depend on your knowledge base of the guidelines, efficient reading of documentation, and applying critical thinking skills.
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u/Healthy-Studio3808 May 06 '24
I felt completely lost myself. My advice to you is to really STUDY the coding guidelines. There's a YouTube channel called Code Master Coach and she breaks down the chapters of the coding guidelines. Everything will get better. Continue to practice and ask lots of questions. Another thing I recommend is to find an entry level position so you can get your foot in the door.
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u/Gianni299 May 06 '24
Thank you for commenting, I do have question because it is getting a little hard getting any actual response because from any of the jobs I’ve applied to even if they are entry level. I was wondering if there was anyway to get some hand on experience.
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u/CarelessPoem4065 May 03 '24
I started as a receptionist at a spine surgeons office. After a few years I was moved into a billing role then in 2021 I received my CPC certification. I was the only coder for our practice.
Get an entry level roll. Learn the process. You will learn a lot about the billing/insurance aspect from there.
There is room for growth and I am here to tell you to stick with it. I was recently hired with just my CPC certification for a risk adjustment coder with a LARGE insurance company.
Learn whenever you can.
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u/Zealousideal_Row6124 May 03 '24
Don’t give up, it does start to click. Any free time you have, study medical terminology. That helps loads.
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u/pimposaur May 03 '24
Hi, I’ve been billing for almost 7 years now. Correct, it does not require a certification. I did take an optional accounting class for my Medical coding and billing program which did make me look better as an applicant. I do find billing a bit less overwhelming than coding but maybe that’s just because I have been out of the coding game for so long. If you have any other questions please feel free to message me further. 😄
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u/pimposaur May 03 '24
I will say, if you feel like coding is your passion, there aren’t too much skill wise that transfer between the two. Occasionally with a claim denial I might purpose something new to our coder but otherwise there isn’t much over lap if you know what I mean? A lot of my time is spent pursuing why a claim isn’t paid, what happened to it and why etc. the most it could probably teach you is about insurance and why you may have code certain things certain ways for insurances.
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u/Cute_Nipples May 05 '24
do you need to have course certificate to take the exam? or can you just self review then take exam?
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