I Am AAPC: Sarah Lester, CPC, CRC

I believe that everything happens for a reason. I didn’t set out to be a coder. I slowly progressed into it, one step at a time. My coding career path started with my job at Walmart in 2003. After working in a couple of different departments, I ended up working as an optician in their vision center, selling and adjusting glasses. I followed that career path for several years until I began filing insurance claims for an independent optometrist. I enjoyed the work, so I looked into getting certified. While in coding school in 2008, I was given the information for a company that hired coders to work remotely. After passing the Certified Professional Coder (CPC®) exam, I immediately applied and was hired. I have worked from home as a risk adjustment coder ever since.

Enjoying the Perks of Remote Coding

This career has meant so much to me. As a divorced mother, having the ability to be home every day when my daughter gets off the school bus is an incredible blessing. Being able to provide a home and a life for her is my greatest accomplishment.

Education Knows No Boundaries

My plan for the future is to obtain more certifications, starting with the Certified Documentation Expert Outpatient (CDEO®) credential this year. Eventually, I also would like to go back to school to get an associate degree in Health Information Management. I love learning new things every day. I read everything I can get my hands on and I am continually asking questions. It gives me a great sense of pride to hold intelligent conversations about medicine and coding with doctors and other health professionals. Becoming an AAPC member and getting my certification was a turning point in my life, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me and this wonderful organization.

I am AAPC!

• About
• Latest Posts

Follow me

Michelle Dick

Executive Editor at AAPC

Michelle A. Dick has been executive editor for AAPC for over 10 years. Prior to her work at AAPC, she was editor-in-chief at Eli Research and Element K Journals, and disk ad coordinator, web designer/developer, and graphic artist at White Directory Publishers, Inc. She has a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design from the State University of New York - Buffalo State and is a member of the Flower City Professional Coders in Rochester, N.Y.

Follow me

Latest posts by Michelle Dick (see all)

• What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up? - July 11, 2018
• Turn Speaking Jitters into a Dynamite Presentation - July 9, 2018
• Code Books vs Software: You Decide the Winner! - June 27, 2018