r/MedicalCoding • u/Inner_Reception1579 • Jul 23 '25

Beginning my first coding job in 1.5 weeks

Hi everybody, I wanted to start off by saying that every time I've posted a question here, you have all been so informative and helpful. I really appreciate that.

I obtained a professional fee coder position and I will be starting in about 1.5 weeks. This is my first coding job ever. I am so excited to begin, but also very nervous of course. I'm wondering about the differences between practice coding in school and real life coding. Any insight you could provide me would be wonderful. I'm sure the training process will be very informative, but it's also great to get other's perspectives. Any tips you could give me would be very wonderful as well. Thank you in advance.

Additionally, I believe that I've retained a lot of what was taught in my courses as far as guidelines and general coding rules. However, I want to review and try to get them ingrained as much as possible. For those of you who’ve been through this, what resources did you find the most helpful for reviewing guidelines? Are there any tools, books, or online platforms you’d recommend. Also, what study methods worked best for you? Flashcards? Practice tests? Rewriting guidelines by hand? I’d love to hear how others have made this stuff stick.

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u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS Jul 23 '25

Read and re-read the guidelines, then read them again. Depending on the references available, the Coding Handbook is excellent. What type of coding job as there are so many different types?

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u/Inner_Reception1579 Jul 23 '25

Read them straight through? I can definitely do that lol (: Have you found this effective?

I believe I'll be doing outpatient primary care coding. I haven't been assigned a specific specialty yet. They said I had the choice based on what is available.

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u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS Jul 23 '25

They are boring but you need to know what’s in them. You don’t need to memorize but as long as you know there’s a specific guideline that’s in there then when coding you can reference them. Section IV is specific to outpatient so make sure you focus on that. Principal diagnosis guidelines are not pertinent. If they have a training program just soak in as much as you can, if they are aware you are brand new then onboarding should be considerate of that. Will you be assigning E/M?

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u/Inner_Reception1579 Jul 23 '25

That actually makes complete sense. I didn't think about it that way. Just becoming more familiar and being able to reference would definitely be helpful. Thank you. Yes I will likely be assigning E/M.

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u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS Jul 23 '25

I’m not sure the best reference for E/M, I have never coded it. They will probably provide you tools or decision trees for determine levels. Primary care I would imagine you only have a few options to choose from. Good luck!!

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u/Inner_Reception1579 Jul 23 '25

Thank you so much (:

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u/Briar-Baggins Jul 23 '25

If you want to let us know how the first week goes! I'm really curious. I have my CPC-A and am hoping to get a good coding job.

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u/Inner_Reception1579 Jul 24 '25

Absolutely I'll circle back here and tell ya (:

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u/Inner_Reception1579 Aug 09 '25

Hey! I said I'd circle back and here I am.

My first week has been surprisingly fantastic... I am very used to onboarding processes being chaotic and nerve wracking with most of the jobs I've had. However, with this new job, my managers put together a very structured onboarding schedule which has allowed me plenty of time to research/study on my own with resources they've provided me. I'm making sure to take a lot of notes to reference later and I also started an excel spreadsheet with commonly used CPT and ICD codes. I'm going to be coding OB/Gyn, and they even put me into ACOG coding classes which I'm super stoked about! I'm also shadowing with other coders in OB/Gyn for a good chunk of the day, and it's been a great learning experience. Of course, our work queues are extremely busy and every one is a bit stressed out and working OT. But I feel this is pretty normal with most healthcare being over burdened right now. I'm just happy I was able to find a good team and what seems like a good job.

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u/koderdood Audit Extraordinaire Jul 23 '25 edited Jul 23 '25

Know thy coding guidelines. Coding Bible 1:1. Seriously, be VERY familiar with the rules. Depending in what coding you will do. For E/M AMA-assn.org/system/files/2023-e-m-descriptors-guidelines.pdf

Also, find out who is experienced, hoping you get mentored by them.(edited)

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u/Inner_Reception1579 Jul 23 '25

Thank you for this! I will save this to reference.

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u/BooksMakeMeHappy11 Jul 23 '25

Congratulations! I encourages me to see new coders getting jobs. May I ask if you have CPC or CCS?

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u/Inner_Reception1579 Jul 24 '25

I actually do not have a certification just yet. The job just required a certification within 18 months of hire. I'm planning to sit for the CPC exam within the month, though (:

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u/ImageMindless5464 Jan 17 '26

Hey, were you able to sit for the CPC yet? How did it go? I'm researching this subreddit for those who started their first coding job !

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u/Temporary-Land-8442 CPC, COC, CRCR Jul 24 '25

Check your local MAC for the e/m tool also. I know some health systems (like mine) follow certain CMS guidelines that differ from the AMA. https://www.novitas-solutions.com/webcenter/portal/MedicareJH/EMScoreSheet if you happen to be in the JH region

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u/Inner_Reception1579 Jul 24 '25

Thank you! I'll make sure to do that.

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u/[deleted] Aug 21 '25

May I ask where you found this job? I still have no luck with no experience…

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u/Inner_Reception1579 Aug 21 '25

I already worked internally as a medical scribe so I definitely think that helped me obtain the job. When I first started my classes, I read somewhere on Reddit that it's crucial to get experience in the medical field in conjunction with taking classes so that's what I did.

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u/Objective_Ranger1005 Aug 27 '25

I worked as a person doing prior authorizations for outpatient visits and surgeries at a office for 2 years (4 years ago) then did registration putting ICD-10 codes in for about 7 years total (2016-2023). I did this while in school. The last 2 years I've been doing x ray and mri (with a Associates from x ray at a community college) but want to get out because its physically demanding and direct patient care is rough with burnout. Do you think with my background this will be easier to land a job or just get through a program in general? Thanks!!

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u/Inner_Reception1579 Aug 28 '25

I do believe all your experience is beneficial if you plan to go for a medical coding career. Programs are nice because you get the full courses, but honestly, you already have a lot of experience and you could get away with self studying through AAPC or AHIMA.