A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry
Am I young enough to start a new career? (37)
Posted: Jul 24, 2014
I'm 37 with an almost 4-year-old. When she's in school I'm tempted to take a coding course go back to school for an HIM degree. Is an HIM degree worth the cost?
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Coding is, and an RHIA is - sm
[ In Reply To ..]Coding is well worth the cost, and so is an RHIA. An RHIT is not as good. You can do better than that with just coding, but if you cannot swing an RHIA, then go for the RHIT *if* you see jobs requiring it that you want.
When you say back to school, do you have a bachelor's from a regionally accredited university? If so, you would do well going for a postbaccalaureate certificate to qualify for the RHIA. See the University of Toledo program that takes about a year and is priced reasonably. (Other schoolstake much longer and are $$$.)
at 37 I would go for an RHIA - anon
[ In Reply To ..]I just switched to coding and I am 58! You are young! I was helping take care of grandchildren and working full time as MT and going to school. I kept getting bought out by N...and decided to quit complaining and make the change. I just got my first coding job 2 months ago and it is wonderful!! I am treated well and I am learning so much, I LOVE IT!! Good luck!
What do you love about coding? - Anonymous one
[ In Reply To ..]Besides the compensation and being treated with "respect," what do you love about the actual job of coding? The coders that I work with are pretty stressed trying to make quotas and needing to be accurate all the time. Everyone was geared up for ICD-10 and that never happened. Some people are worried about the future of some coding jobs due to CAC. There are also places that outsource, so it seems that there is a significant amount of stress associated with the job. I would like to hear what makes you love it so much. Congratulations on your new job.
Well, if "needing to be accurate all the time" - is a problem for you ...
[ In Reply To ..]..what kind of job can you possibly do? Even dog-walkers are expected to meet some kind of standards!
I think most jobs have quotas in some form. Even nurses are expected to provide the necessary patient care. HIM scanners have quotas. Performance standards are everywhere, not just in coding.
Having problems because ICD10 got delayed? Really? Hmm. That is plain old unfounded anticipatory hand-wringing. In other words, it is neurotic.
Worried about CAC? The outside POSSIBILITY of outsourcing is stressing folks out? Wow. That is not only a problem dealing with change -- it is failure to update skills and improve oneself.
If these are someone's typical worries, that someone might be unsuited to coding. I would not recommend it for them.
All careers have disadvantages. I see no point in blowing up things that have not even happened -- and which everyone should be preparing for anyway -- into hysterical prepper job scenarios.
Thanks - Anonymous one
[ In Reply To ..]I asked what the other person liked about coding, which she stated she loved but didn't say why, I am still waiting for her response. I don't code, only sharing what I have observed. I didn't say anyone was having problems, I just don't understand why anyone would love a job that was so stressful. Yes, the possibility of outsourcing stressed me out when I was an MT and it did happen. The thought of losing one's job does tend to stress some people out. So, why don't you tell me what it is that you love about coding instead of jumping all over my case?
What I love about coding - is the problem for you
[ In Reply To ..]I like that coding is intricate, detailed, requires putting together a lot of information, and is, essentially, solving puzzles.
I like that it requires a high degree of accuracy, because that makes work meaningful and challenging for me. It is a personal preference. I *like* that it can be difficult. I seek that out, in fact.
I like that technology is creating so many meaningful and challenging new jobs in and around coding. I like that you can advance, move on, do something different. I like not being trapped in a job the way I was in MT.
what I love about coding - anon
[ In Reply To ..]I am the one who posted before...and I enjoy still being in the medical field and I feel coding is rather like being a detective, you need to research and learn to apply codes by the coding guidelines, interact with the physicians, get and give feedback. My quotas so far have been very reasonable.
There is some stress to ensure finding the most accurate codes per coding guidelines, following all of the different rules of the insurance companies for reimbursement, LCD, NCD, cross codes (meaning checking if a procedure performed is eligible for reimbursement with the diagnosis given). I really like the challenge.
I have to say also that in my area there are many coding jobs posted, but I have heard of others who can't get hired without experience, so do check the job market in your area. I got the job from job leads at the local AAPC meetings, and most do ask for experience, but I tested well and so was given a chance. I had actually scheduled my CCS and the test was suspended (still not offered) right before my test date. I had planned on inpatient coding, but at this point I can't get that certification so I am glad for the outpatient experience. (I do have my CPC). I am not that concerned at this point about CAC, but I wasn't concerned about VR as an MT, and we all know what happened there, so who knows? At this point I do work with some codes generated by EMR and the physicians, and a big part of my job is to correct them so that they follow coding guidelines and will be eligible for reimbursement.
It isn't for everyone, but I am extremely happy I made the change. If the OP gets the RHIA, many other doors open up other than just coding. If I were younger, that is what I would do, but it depends on what career path you want to follow.
I'm 37 and went back to school - sm
[ In Reply To ..]but you should really look at your local area for coding or HIM jobs. Are you in a rural area or bigger city? Have you looked at the job requirements where you are? I have a RHIT, but it didn't get me too much. I was only able to get a glorified medical records job making 13 bucks an hour. I, too, have a 4-year-old to support, so I decided to go back to school for my RHIA. I have only 8 months left, but since I live in Boston, there are tons of healthcare jobs around here and RHIAs are making a good living. Personally, I would bypass the RHIT.
Rural area close to small city - OP
[ In Reply To ..]I have an associate degree from a technical college. If my credits were transferable, then that added to my university credits would give me 95 hours (senior), but I'm not sure if they would. I live in Louisiana, the northern part.
In your case ... - sm
[ In Reply To ..]In your case, I would suggest starting with coding. There will be more coding jobs than RHIA or even RHIT jobs in your driving area.
You can then finish your bachelor's online, if you feel a need to do so. You could even do an RHIT associate's online if the local job market showed that was all you would need.
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