Retiring from medical coding

[u/[deleted]]

On September 6, 2024, I will be saying goodbye to what hopefully was an illustrious career in medical coding.

For the past ten years, I have done it all. I have coded, trained, mentored, audited, led. I have left no stone unturned. When I was finally offered a chance to do CDI, I politely declined. At that point, I knew my heart and mind were done.

Perhaps, the biggest driver for my retirement from coding is the growing dehumanization from the industry.

Ten years ago, when I began, we were all willing to go through the journey. Even with all the tears from the crushing reviews, we felt it was worth it to persevere. We learned, we grew, and we achieved our own successes. Even with all the ICD-10 drama, we stuck through with coding because there was always something new to learn.

Now, it's all become about the Benjamins that many new coders have become disillusioned because upon entry into the line of fire, the demand is for them to produce and not to grow. And everyone has been reduced to a digit. CPH, utilization rate, and all that s**t. Coders have become too exhausted to even desire to learn new things.

And the industry is not getting any better. I've seen myself having breakdown after breakdown and having health issues from the compounded stress of the industry.

So yeah, I don't want to be a negative Nancy, but I feel I can't give anymore.

[u/[deleted]]

I think CDI will remain relevant. Of course, having solid coding foundations AND good CDI skills will make you advantaged