Too Much Competition?

[mchllshrms]

I think that due to the over-saturation of coding certificate programs, advertising, or even news articles, there has been a surge in the number of aspiring coders trying to get into the business. For about the past 10 years or so, coding was "the" job field to get into because of supposed demand.

I was trying for one coding position in a hospital and was told that they already have a "plethora" of level I coders who have taken and passed the assessment, so they wouldn't be be needing to look at anyone else for now.

Everywhere you turn, employers can afford to be "picky" by demanding that coders have ____# of years experience, certain specialty certifications and certifications from various professional organizations.

So while newly certified coders bemoan the fact that they can't get experience or even get their "foot in the door", I think the real problem is that there are just too many of us out there vying for a limited number of positions-especially made worse by outsourcing(and on an side note, I commend the efforts of organizations such as AHIMA to discontinue testing and certification of the CCS for residents of India and the U.A.E.)

What do you think?

[mitchellde]

Originally Posted by mchllshrms

I think that due to the over-saturation of coding certificate programs, advertising, or even news articles, there has been a surge in the number of aspiring coders trying to get into the business. For about the past 10 years or so, coding was "the" job field to get into because of supposed demand.

I was trying for one coding position in a hospital and was told that they already have a "plethora" of level I coders who have taken and passed the assessment, so they wouldn't be be needing to look at anyone else for now.

Everywhere you turn, employers can afford to be "picky" by demanding that coders have ____# of years experience, certain specialty certifications and certifications from various professional organizations.

So while newly certified coders bemoan the fact that they can't get experience or even get their "foot in the door", I think the real problem is that there are just too many of us out there vying for a limited number of positions-especially made worse by outsourcing(and on an side note, I commend the efforts of organizations such as AHIMA to discontinue testing and certification of the CCS for residents of India and the U.A.E.)

What do you think?

I know that on one level you are correct and the sheer number of billing companies has in fact contributed to this. Many billing companies employ only a few actual certified coders , if any. I know some are going to respond and state that is incorrect. However I work in many different capacities and one is that of auditor. I have at the request of numerous providers performed audits of their billing companies that profess to use only "qualified billing and coding personnel" one even stated only AAPC certified, the problem is this has in all cases been a false representation. The one that was using the AAPC statement had no certified coders at all, one was a front for off shore billing in Pakistan and none were certified and far from qualified. None that I have audited to date can meet the true letter of what they represent. It is truely sad that physicians have suffered financially from this type of business. I know there are probably reputable billing companies out there but I truely have never found one. Remember a billing company can be anything from a huge multi employee organization to a one person shop working from home. But I feel this is where all the coding jobs are going, have gone. Billing companies that take the jobs but hire no certified coders.
Sorry I just had to vent!

[kml1764]

While I think that there are a lot more new coders graduating the various programs, I think that there are way too many that are trying to get right into a coding job. As frustrating as it may seem, I think the best way to get yourself to a coding program is starting from the bottom. Get your foot in the door...look to work as a medical receptionist, in medical records, whatever. I believe that most coding positions open will first look to internal employees. It's more financially advantageous to employers because they have already invested training of these employees within and also they can do a more smooth transition in getting that internal employee able to work as a coder. The more versatile that you are (handling other medical office positions), the more valuable you are to employers.

Just my 2 cents!
Kris

[mcnaryk]

Kris-I completely agree with you about getting in on the ground level. I started as a medical receptionist, and gradually learned the inner workings of a medical front office from insurance to referrals to charge entry. Working charge entry, I became interested in coding, and was put through a coding certification prep course through work. Having had the prior medical office experience I was able to test for the CPC and not the CPC-A which I also believe helps a lot. I guess my advice would be to hang in there-if you are newly certified and unable to get into coding right away, try for a job in a medical office. It will add on to your experience and understanding of insurance and coding, and quite possibly lead to a coding job since most places hire internally first. Good luck!

[mchllshrms]

Yes, but how will such a "get your foot in the door" position in a hospital help you to get a job as a coder in the same hospital when the requirements are so stringent-i.e. must have X# years experience in an inpatient coding environment, must have graduated from an AHIMA approved program, etc.?

I don't think a job as a receptionist will help you in the long run as a coder when you never touch a code the whole time..

[rthames052006]

Originally Posted by mchllshrms

Yes, but how will such a "get your foot in the door" position in a hospital help you to get a job as a coder in the same hospital when the requirements are so stringent-i.e. must have X# years experience in an inpatient coding environment, must have graduated from an AHIMA approved program, etc.?

I don't think a job as a receptionist will help you in the long run as a coder when you never touch a code the whole time..

I think Mcnaryk's story explains how a job as a receptionist helped her in the long run. When you understand the entire billing/coding process it really does help. It starts with that receptionist who gets that patient phone call for an appt and evolves from there.

I've see where someone from the "inside" gets the job over an outside applicant because some companies believe in "promoting from within" with someone who knows how that company runs/works.

When I started off as a biller and knew nothing about coding, I used to read op notes in our patient charts and code from them, it was real life experience and not a quiz from class, a real live op note. Keeping yourself up to par on billing and coding speaks volumes in and of itself when you aren't employed as a coder per se'. Look at every position as a stepping stone to your final destination. I've always found myself being thankful for the way I got into this field ( by accident) and I kept building off that foundation and now I am in a position that I absolutely love! It took me 5 years from the date I got my CPC to land/obtain a true coding position.

For those of you in the struggle, the best advice I can give you is to keep current on your coding, there are several free sites where you can keep this up without having to dish out any money; your Local Medicare Carriers- most have webinars and workshops free of charge that you can attend, lunch and learns, your local chapter. Network with your local chapter members at monthly meetings, find a mentor.

Some of the best coders are the ones who know how to keep themselves up on the happenings.

Best of luck to you all.

[kml1764]

Originally Posted by rthames052006

When I started off as a biller and knew nothing about coding, I used to read op notes in our patient charts and code from them, it was real life experience and not a quiz from class, a real live op note. Keeping yourself up to par on billing and coding speaks volumes in and of itself when you aren't employed as a coder per se'. Look at every position as a stepping stone to your final destination. I've always found myself being thankful for the way I got into this field ( by accident) and I kept building off that foundation and now I am in a position that I absolutely love! It took me 5 years from the date I got my CPC to land/obtain a true coding position.
l.

Hi Roxanne,

How is the opportunity to start as a biller? I'm going to be starting a billing and coding program this coming August (1000 hr course). Is there a good way to head into a position such as that? Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Kris

[rthames052006]

Originally Posted by kml1764

Hi Roxanne,

How is the opportunity to start as a biller? I'm going to be starting a billing and coding program this coming August (1000 hr course). Is there a good way to head into a position such as that? Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Kris

Kris-

Are you asking what are the chances of landing a billing job? If that is the case, my "opportunity" found me, I didn't find it! I was working as a receptionist in a nursing home, the gal who did the resident billing went out on an early maturnity leave. My schedule at the nursing home was a great one. I worked 7 days on and 7 days off, they asked if I'd like to pick up some extra hours? Then shortly after I transferred to the Billing Office. It wasn't true "billing" at that time, what I did was received bills from offices, hospitals etc... for our residents and back then, it seemed that most facilities or offices didnt' submit to secondary carriers or else they didn't participate with them. So I would receive those bills with what at the time I called ( a red and white form) with a notes saying to submit this to your 2ndary carrier if you have one, othewise the balance is your responsibility? I had no clue, I remember calling York Hospital and asking them "what am I supposed to do with this red and white form" they explained to me what I needed to do and that was the start of my billing career. True on the job learning!

[honiebyrd]

I know exactly how you feel. It has been almost two years since I received certification as a CPC-A. I have walked into offices cold turkey and left my resume. I have sent my resume to all the area hospitals. I have applied for every coding job I have seen advertised on the internet. I have also applied for Medical Record positions as well as Receptionist positions just to get a foot in the door. Thus far, I have been given one interview in which I was told that her concern would be how I have "kept up" since it has been awhile since I graduated school. My certification is to be renewed in September 2012. I don't think so as I can't afford to keep paying high fees for a certificate that has proved profitless. I can not throw my family's small income around that casually. I am done with it unfortunately.

[kml1764]

Originally Posted by honiebyrd

I know exactly how you feel. It has been almost two years since I received certification as a CPC-A. I have walked into offices cold turkey and left my resume. I have sent my resume to all the area hospitals. I have applied for every coding job I have seen advertised on the internet. I have also applied for Medical Record positions as well as Receptionist positions just to get a foot in the door. Thus far, I have been given one interview in which I was told that her concern would be how I have "kept up" since it has been awhile since I graduated school. My certification is to be renewed in September 2012. I don't think so as I can't afford to keep paying high fees for a certificate that has proved profitless. I can not throw my family's small income around that casually. I am done with it unfortunately.

Honiebyrd, have you been involved with your AAPC local chapter meetings? I'm not saying that it is a guaranteed way of getting hired, especially if you doing so just to get hired...but if you get involved, network with the AAPC members, continue learning (btw attending these chapter meetings will help you meet your CEU needs), you'll put yourself in a better place to see where needs are. Also, it is a great way to meet with more senior members who might be willing to mentor you, help you with your resume, etc.

If you've been putting in a lot of resumes but not getting much of a return, have your resume critiqued.

Good luck!
Kris