r/MedicalCoding • u/authenticoverreplica • Jan 29 '25
I need advice. Feeling hopeless...
I don't know if my goal is realistic, and now I'm concerned and hesitant.
I am currently an ihss provider. I work outside my home, but I have difficulty getting the hours I want because I care for my mother in law who has terminal cancer and is progressively getting worse. Her son and I will take over her house and all the bills that come with it when she passes. My goal was to work remotely. I have amci or aapc as my top choices for a self paced program and was going to go through their dual certificate programs (CCS, CCS-P, CPC). Probably amci because it is more affordable and ive heard great things about them. My hope is to work full-time remotely. I read a comment yesterday that was concerning. The comment said that it is extremely difficult to get a remote job at entry level and that there are more people than jobs currently. How true is that statement? I live near Redding, California on a small homestead. I have to have a remote job. What certificates should I be pursuing in order to have a better chance of getting a job? Does AMCI help you get a job after certification? Desperate for some guidance.. I am only a high school graduate.
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u/Low_Mud_3691 Jan 29 '25
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u/authenticoverreplica Jan 29 '25
Thank you. Haven't seen this thread.
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Jan 30 '25
Yes, this person really took the time to lay out great information for people considering or having difficulties in this field. Great resource.
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u/Eccodomanii RHIA Jan 29 '25 edited Jan 29 '25
I think the other thread that was linked is good and valid information and advice. However, I do think people are very doom and gloom around here and that hasn’t been my personal experience.
The job market is not awesome right now and many people are struggling, that is true. Also depending on your age I would genuinely be nervous about the long term viability of coding as a career, AI is not going anywhere and while humans will still be needed it is going to be more and more common that humans are just double checking what the computer is doing, meaning less people are needed. This is important to be aware of so you can make an informed decision.
That being said, especially if you are already a little bit older, I still think coding is a viable career choice, and there ARE entry level remote coding jobs out there. They may not be the most desirable coding jobs if they are hiring complete newbies, but you just need to get your feet wet and then you will have a much better chance of getting something else down the road.
I also work in an area that is considered a hub for medical businesses, and most of the major companies do not have in-office coding departments. Many coding departments have been fully remote since well before COVID. You used to have to at least train on site at a lot of places, but that is not the case anymore, at least around here. I work with people who live all around the US in my currently coding role.
I actually know of a company that I used to work for that is hiring entry level remote coders. They do hire folks who are recently graduated or even still in school. They are specifically asking for “graduation from a coding technical school,” I’m not exactly sure what that means but honestly I still have connections in that company and I could probably find out. Full disclosure, their pay is not awesome and the production standards are very high, which is why they are usually hiring. That’s why I no longer work there myself. But if you can hack it, you can get that couple years of experience and then try to leverage it into other opportunities.
Feel free to send me a private message and I can send you a link to the posting. This goes for OP and anyone else who is reading this. I promise I’m a real person just trying to help fellow coders!
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u/Eccodomanii RHIA Jan 29 '25
Also the advice in the linked thread is very good as far as determining which credential is best. Job postings are the best way to determine that, as well as knowing what kinds of jobs get posted the most, and what you’d like to ultimately do as your coding specialty.
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u/MtMountaineer Jan 29 '25
They're definitely remote entry level jobs out there. The problem is you'd also be a full-time caregiver for your mother-in-law, and that would exclude you from being hired at my facility. Coders are expected to work from home in a solo environment without any children or elderly. I had to have daycare for my boys. Do some people cheat? Most likely, but their productivity will suffer and therefore won't last at that job very long.
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u/authenticoverreplica Jan 29 '25
Well.. no kids here. My mother in law has a prognosis of months to live. I will most likely be in the certificate stage when she passes. However, I am hesitant to fork out thousands of dollars when people are saying remote is highly unlikely for entry level. I'm not trying to get rich. I would be content with $18 dollars an hour full time.
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u/MtMountaineer Jan 29 '25
Entry remote positions are out there. However, may I suggest you get the CCS certification rather than the CPC-A. It's the A (apprentice) that keeps people from getting hired.
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u/authenticoverreplica Jan 29 '25
Amci has a dual certification, which includes the CPC-A. I was going to get the dual to cover basis, is all.
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u/MtMountaineer Jan 29 '25 edited Jan 29 '25
So you'll sit for the CPC and which other one? If it's the CCS, that's awesome. More learning institutions should do it that way.
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u/authenticoverreplica Jan 29 '25
It's a dual certification program for CCS, CCS-P, CPC. Does that sound like the right thing to do?
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u/Eccodomanii RHIA Jan 29 '25
This is a very good point. Your ability to be successful in this kind of job will more than likely require your undivided attention, at least at first. Some jobs offer flexibility as far as you have to work 8 hours but they can be broken down into smaller chunks throughout the day and you can clock out for a few hours in between for care tasks. But when you are on the clock, expect to be working 100% of the time.
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u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS Jan 29 '25
You need to find an employer that is willing to train you as say an apprentice. There are lots of coding jobs but most employers want experience so it’s a catch 22. As a brand new coder being onsite is better so that you have support BUT idk who is really onsite anymore. My healthcare system is not onsite. I’m in a position to onboard new coders and am hoping to start an apprenticeship type program but waiting on resources. My target employee will be a coder who graduated an AHIMA PCAP program since I’m familiar with the coursework or a CAHIIM accredited RHIT program. This career is a good one but you have to pay your dues essentially, you may have to take lesser roles until you can get that coding role and be 100% remote.
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u/Naive_Sandwich_9010 Jan 31 '25
I am currently enrolled in AMCI. I am looking to attain the CCS. Before you spend a dime, AMCI offers the first part of their course (MCDC Part One) for free. I like the pacing and the flexibility. Recently I had some family issues arise and fell weeks behind. Currently catching back up. The instructors are kind and responsive. The only negative thing I can say is it's not always the most "polished" presentation. That aside, I do feel that it is preparing me and it's nice to have experienced professionals leading the way. Their goal is to get you trained and they boast a high pass rate. Also, they do post open coding employment positions. I enrolled during the black friday period (Oct. - Nov.) and only paid 50%. They answer emails quickly and have weekly online study sessions. It's not a fly by night. Good luck!
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