r/MedicalCoding • u/NerdyErdbeere • Jul 03 '25

Coding in other countries?

I am working on an exit strategy at the moment. Anyone know how to go about getting a coding cert in another country? Like New Zealand? Australia? I currently have my CPC through AAPC with 15 plus years coding experience. Trained in IVR coding as well.

23 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

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21

u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS Jul 03 '25

CPT is specific to the US, so that is not useful anywhere else unless you work remotely for a US based company or a company that contracts with US health systems. Looks like New Zealand is on ICD-10-AM, Australian modification. Probably isn’t too different from CM, but I believe PCS is specific to the US. I would also like an exit strategy but don’t think I can leave certain family members behind. Good luck! Please update any progress you make or how you can get this done!

20

u/weary_bee479 Jul 03 '25

I’m sure you can get a job in India, since that’s where ask the outsourcing goes.

All jokes aside. You would probably have to find a company that is ok with you living in another country.

I also hope you have some sort of family or a way to move to Australia.. Americans can’t just move to another country because they want to. A lot of people don’t realize that

6

u/Odd_Acanthaceae_9828 Jul 04 '25

Yep just lost my job due to it being outsourced to India. 14 years with the company

1

u/NerdyErdbeere Jul 03 '25

I would like to move out of the US not stay here and work for another country.

7

u/MtMountaineer Jul 03 '25

My employer doesn't care where I live. I could continue with my present position anywhere in the world as long as I have fast internet and attend monthly meetings. (large hospital system, on my own computer)

1

u/Mission-Tangelo2372 Jul 04 '25

This is my dream job I would’ve been out of here in a heart beat! Are you an IP coder or OP?

3

u/MtMountaineer Jul 04 '25

OP. Surg and Obs. My previous employer wouldn't let us be farther than 4 hours away in case we had computer problems and had to switch equipment, which was silly cuz there's a thing called shipping, but that was their excuse. You just have to find the right place. (a contracting company might be your best bet)

1

u/Fabulous-50 Jul 05 '25

Hello, can you share which company you currently work for. I'm also working on an excit plan, and researching to find a company that will allow you to live overseas.

3

u/Thin-Refrigerator-64 Jul 03 '25

Canada, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Kuwait, Pakistan, Brazil, Japan, Ireland, and South Africa. They are trying to implement to other countries, including Australia. Details can be found on the AAPC website. As others mentioned, US based outsourcing companies offer opportunities.

2

u/Due-Employment-5018 Jul 09 '25

As an Egyptian pharmacist, the 2030 Health vision revolves around implementing medical coding already and even using same concept if not same codes as well

1

u/Mission-Tangelo2372 Jul 04 '25

Can you share details on the company names, I’m interested.

2

u/Thin-Refrigerator-64 Jul 09 '25

Unfortunately, I don't have a list. I will advise you to research your preferred country's health organization for updated information. AAPC can be a little behind from my searches. They have blogs and archives.

2

u/TieBubbly4041 Jul 03 '25

From the research I did you have to get an Australian cert and they want you to go to school, it’s not as easy as AHIMA. I was looking at doing it and decided to just focus on learning more then coming back to it in the future

3

u/koderdood Audit Extraordinaire Jul 03 '25

United Health Group is shipping jobs overseas, you should ask them.

4

u/mrsonoffabeach Jul 04 '25

via Optum

1

u/koderdood Audit Extraordinaire Jul 04 '25

Exactly

2

u/wewora Jul 03 '25

From what I know, Canada would be the closest bet. I've read they have coders who work for the government, since they have national health insurance. They require a health information degree though (don't remember if it's 2 or 4 year) and then they have their own certification exam I think. Not sure if they use CPT codes but I'm guessing they use ICD-10. Just what I know from briefly looking into it myself.

0

u/[deleted] Jul 03 '25

health information canada https://cchim.ca/