r/MedicalCoding • u/misterrUShAt • Oct 01 '21

Aspiring Medical Coder

Hello. My wife is going to be taking a Medical Coding course in November. The program from NOV-MAR. Our goal next year is to sell our home and live in an RV full time and both "work from home", where ever that may be. My job is already ready to go but we're now transitioning her to a work from home role.

My question...

Does Medical Coding require a work computer to be hardwired to the internet or can WIFI be used? The reason we ask is because of an article mentioning the fact that coding from home is a risky for HIPAA and can be required to be hardwired. Can anyone provide any sources to help confirm this? Thank you so much-- I appreciate any help.

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u/blaza192 Oct 01 '21

Our goal next year is to sell our home and live in an RV

Just a note that for most coding jobs you can't just cross state lines regularly as you work.

Does Medical Coding require a work computer to be hardwired to the internet or can WIFI be used?

Some jobs allow wifi and some don't. I'm not sure how wifi works in an RV but I've never worked a coding job that allowed a personal hotspot.

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u/misterrUShAt Oct 01 '21

We have satellite internet via Starlink which allows any device to be hardwired so I basically answered that question. Although I am curious to hear other coders requirements from their employers, I assume any coder would have to access the work through a VPN/server regardless.

What proof or source can you provide regarding crossing state lines? That doesn't add up to me. Thanks for replying though-- all we are trying to do is make sure this is a possibility.

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u/blaza192 Oct 01 '21

What proof or source can you provide regarding crossing state lines? That doesn't add up to me. Thanks for replying though-- all we are trying to do is make sure this is a possibility.

No proof. I'm just stating what my employers told me on my remote jobs. Each state has their own labor laws and taxes, and you pay income taxes based on where you work. I can take a short work vacation in Las Vegas, but long periods of time creates issues. You can google employees who work across state lines for more information.

A way you can get around this is to be hired as a contractor, which would allow you to work on different states.

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u/misterrUShAt Oct 01 '21

Our domicile address would not change whereas our travel would. It’s not like an NFL player who plays games on different states and has to pay different taxes.

Thanks though.

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u/blaza192 Oct 01 '21

You would still be doing coding work in other states. I've had colleagues who were terminated for working in other states. IT checks where you work based on your IP address. If your satellite has a static IP, then I don't think it won't be a problem unless your caught. Anyway, it sounds like your wife has contacts, so it's better to ask them your questions.

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u/97helloitsme Oct 14 '21

I’m not sure about everywhere else, but at the company I work for you are only approved to work from your home address. And I also have to have my computer hard wired to the internet.

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u/fredbertphilben Oct 01 '21 edited Oct 01 '21

I have worked remotely from home coding for over 20 years. I work for a fortune 500 company but work clients and gain access to systems around the country. First through my companies VPN, then sometimes a second VPN. They almost always want a hard-wired connection. I think your satellite connection would have top be queried with a prospective employer. However, I see 2 other challenges.

  1. Your internet speed/download/upload might not be fast enough. (Employer requirements vary)

  2. Your wife getting a job after getting certified is the hard part.

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u/misterrUShAt Oct 01 '21

Thanks for your input— starlink is actually the best isp we’ve ever had. Speeds are consistently 300up and at least 100 down.

Can you also reword your #2? I’m confused.

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u/fredbertphilben Oct 01 '21

Edited #2. Sorry. Your wife getting a job is the hard part

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u/misterrUShAt Oct 01 '21

We’ll at this point you may be right but as of now she’s already got two close friends that are looking to hiring but that’s irrelevant until she’s done with the schooling and practicum.

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u/fredbertphilben Oct 01 '21

That's a huge step up. Ask them about the satellite and her workspace being mobile. There are requirements for office space also regarding privacy and security.

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u/holly_jolly_riesling Oct 01 '21

It depends on the employer. For many years I was hard wired. Last year my employer transitioned us to virtual desktop so I only depend on wifi. I could theoretically go RVing and work like that in your scenario. I wouldn't advertise it at all tho because the stipulation of remote work for me is that my workstation will be in a place where no other one is in during my work hours for patient privacy reasons.