Valerie Said:

A question about AHIMA's Medical Billing an Coding class?

We Answered:

You can go through a school that is AHIMA approved and sit for the exam. Most places will not accept any other certificate since the AHIMA is the most credible. You pay a lot of money to sit for the exam and you fail you take it again. As with the Society of Professional Coders, you can sit for the CPC and if you fail take it for free, would you hire someone that may have taken a coding exam 50 times and your not aware of it? They are both entry level degrees, you can later sit for your CCS, which is a lot harder and the highest level of coding.

I did coding and billing and found a job quickly in billing, worked on that for awhile found a job coding in a hospital, took the CCS and worked on my HIT. I have just recently started a job as a coding Auditor for insurance companies, it's amazing how many people defraud medicare and medicaid. It's a very rewarding career, if you stick with it and work you way through the ranks.

Priscilla Said:

What would be a better choice for a career? Medical Billing/ Coding or Medical Administrative Specialist?

We Answered:

I teach medical administrative specialist and medical billing and coding.

Of the two, I recommend medical billing and coding. I'll explain why.

As you know, the economy is not good and it is a challenge to get a job anywhere but can be even more difficult to break into a new field. A number of my students who studied billing and coding were able to get an entry level position as a medical administrative specialist because they understood billing and coding.

When going for a job emphasize your transferable skills such as entering payments, processing A/R reports as well as "soft skills" such as providing good customer service, being self-motivated and good at teamwork.

Your least expensive options would be your local community college, adult school or ROP program. I know in California some organizations are paying for students to study billing and coding and some students were getting unemployment while studying. I know of a company who is training some people they are going to be laid off to go into this industry so you may be able to get low or no cost education.

The private schools are more expensive but sometimes students who struggle in the other schools are able to succeed there.

I don't know much about HIT so I really can't opine. However, check out previous questions about IT and perhaps those answers will help you choose.

Warren Said:

Future career in Medical Billing, if I owe for medical bills?

We Answered:

I teach billing and coding. Know that many employers of billers and coders not only do a background check but also check your credit score. If you have a low credit score because you have gone to collections it could hurt your chances to get hired.

The employer will not know specifically that you went to collection for medical bills. They will just know you have a low credit score. Before you apply for jobs check your credit score; you are entitled to one free one per year. Look it over carefully as it may contain errors and clean up what you can

Henry Said:

Career: Medical Billing/Coding: Ups and Downs...how's the pay?

We Answered:

I think the important question to ask is: How good are you with detail, and not just some, but a constant need to consistently be accurate. Medical Billing and Coding require the ability to deal with complexity (government regulations, insurance company policies and practices, physician documentation, finance department's, electronic medical record software, et.al)

Further the pay is average, unless your in the private sector working for a HMO who may incent you on "down coding" submitted claims (down coding is reducing the code to a lower level of claim due to a technical or documentation error on the claim).

The other thing to factor in is your working conditions. My experience is you are in a cubicle most of the day with stacks of reference books, and a computer and a phone.

My advise is contact a local hospital or insurance company and ask to set up an informational interview with someone in the billing and coding departments (this could be in the accounting department or the Health Information department). I am sure seeing in upfront and asking follow up questions will give you a better picture.

Good luck and I hope you find a career that really sparks your interest.