Andrea Said:

Am I making the right choice pursuing a Medical Coding career?

We Answered:

I think almost any medical career right now is a good choice at least for the next 20-30 years because of all the aging baby boomers. You might want to find a forum on medical coding and post your question there for people with experience to answer you. Also check with your school and instructor to see what they recommend for finding your first job.

You would definitely be able to get a job in a physician's office without being certified, but you'd need a graduation certificate in hand before being hired. It would also be helpful if you had a mentor or apprenticed with someone before doing it yourself for the first time.

Good luck in your endeavor!!

Medical Transcription, Coding & Billing
www.mtacc.net

Angela Said:

Hi i am a pharmacy graduate and want to make my career in medical coding .can anybdy guide me abt ths?

We Answered:

I am assuming you mean to say that you are a Pharmacy Technician graduate, not a Pharmacy graduate. It would be considered rare for a recently graduated pharmacist who would average $87,000 to take a job as a coding clerk at $28,000-31,000 per year. Though the national average salary for a Pharmacy Tech is about $26,000 per year.

This would take another year of training, and would not add significantly to your earning potential.

Also, as a personal observation, I worked as a Pharm Tech when I was in college and have had coders work for me at my practice since. I'm not sure I could stand to spend my day doing coding, but if you have the personality for tedious and repetitive reading and catorgorizing of diagnoses all day, it may be the correct job for you. If possible, spend a day or two with a coder, and just watch them work, don't talk with them, just watch them go through a usual day to see what it is like.