Wiki the world of surgery coding

Breal

Guest
Messages
8
Best answers
0
I know that you all are very busy. I was just wondering if anyone could share information on what a ''normal'' day is like in general surgery coding? For example, how many charts are you required to code per day? What is the best part of the job? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
 
Well, I think you'll probably get a variety of answers on this one, but I can tell you, I work for a coding/billing service, and I do about 5 general surgeons, along with a few gastroenterologists, and several other specialists. The general surgeons do quite a variety of work, and I personally really enjoy the days where I get to do their coding. I would say the ones that I code for do about 25-40 procedures a week, so it's not a huge volume. But I find it very interesting, and the least repetitious of my specialties, which I like. You get a wide variety of procedures, so you are kept on your toes, which I love.

I'd have to say that General is probably my favorite because I do get to do so many different procedures. Before I started doing general, I did only gastro, and ortho, and doing general has expanded my coding base a lot. I am getting to put to use my anatomy classes, and I am learning a lot more about different systems, and just coding in general.

You do have some procedures that you will probably see a lot of like :hernia repairs, cholecystectomy's, and appendectomy's, but outside of those, there is a lot of other things they do. General definitely gets my vote as one of the more exciting specialties! :0) Hope that's helpful.
 
Thank you so much for your reply! I really cherish your thoughts and yes, it helped so much. Thanks Jen!
 
I also code for surgeons but I am employed by the practice. I code for three surgeons who perform general, vascular, and thoracic surgery so I am all over the CPT book. Sometimes my physicians assist physicians of other specialties as well so I never know what I might be coding next. I code all of their office and hospital....everything they do.
There really is no "normal" day for me other than the fact that I work 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday:)
There are no set amount of charts I have to code but I am expected to complete all of my charts in a timely manner. I strive for a 2 day turn around.
The best part of the job is getting to go all over the CPT book and learn all kinds of new things.....once I research and figure out how to code them:D
 
How interesting, thanks for your reply! I really respect the work that you do and your abilities. I think general surgery will be my goal. Thanks again!
 
Top