Here’s What You Need To Know Before Starting A Medical Coding Career

[@LadieBjj]

I am going through the school right now and I thought coding was just a few numbers. Holy *** I was so wrong! There’s A LOT to learn. A lot.

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

Glad to hear it! Yes and guess what I’m 10 years in and still learning lol

[@bellzzzzz]

Same! Im starting to think this was a bad idea🥴🥴

[@habeebahs.2956]

​@@bellzzzzz Yep. I know how you feel. I am currently enrolled in an online medical billing and coding program for the 2nd time. The 1st program I took was onsite, though. And I'm thinking I made a mistake taking the program online. There is just WAY to too much info. to learn. I'm going to push through it though. I never got any certifications after taking the program the 1st time, because, well life happened and I didn't feel I was prepared to take the exam and those examinations are expensive. Well, it's been 2 years and I've forgotten a lot of info., so here I am for the 2nd time. At least the online program will pay for me to take the exam.

[@justhdbpoudhgebob]

​@@habeebahs.2956what program did u enroll in? & Did u use financial aide

[@JenniferPerryMyScraproom]

One of the first things my coding mentor told me what about CEU's. She said if you attending your monthly chapter meetings (1 CEU a month) and complete the quiz in the AAPC magazine (1 CEU a month) it is easy to fill in the remaining CEU's needed to maintain your certification. I have tested this while a student and she is correct.

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

Great point thank you for sharing that

[@lonestarrbudgetlife6956]

You can claim training, professional fees, CEUs and anything associated with your job and claim on your income tax.

[@Ehlaar]

Thank you

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

Thanks for the tips!!! Love it

[@natalieldarden]

New subscriber here! Fortunately, I worked as a billing coordinator and within the health insurance industry performing customer service/quality audits; however, it's been some years. I'm currently taking an instructor-led course through AAPC and hoping to make a successful career transition!

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

Yes!!! Congratulations. Just letting you know I am starting a CPC study group soon let me know if you’re interested in joining 😊

[@RudyG210]

​@levelupmedicalcoding my wife is interested. When is this?

[@makishacox6100]

I would like to join the group.

[@niaelizabethbush290]

Just so you know the audio and video is not synced but great information 👏🏾

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

Sorry about that thanks for letting me know

[@Sherraysmiles21]

Hi thanks for the information I start school for this profession next month. I'm a former Pharmacy Technician of 26 years. I decided to change careers so I'm taking the 9-month program and I'm excited about it.

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

Wow! Welcome to the family I think you’ll love it here

[@SheilaLawrence106]

What university are you attending

[@misse8031]

How was it like being a pharmacy technician?

[@LLllllllll927]

Does the 9 month program , requires that you pass the NCCT exam ? There is a school called Florida Technical College that has a program like that .

[@erikawebster2626]

Pharmacy Technician here! I am in the same boat and I am looking at going back to school for coding. Curious how school is going for you?

[@taariqq]

Critical information. Subscribed. Thank you!

[@melvasalman5305]

Thank you so much for your input on Medical Coding. I'm currently taking an online course now. I'm worried about taking my certification because its so much im learning and I dont want to forget it by the time I take my certification. SMH 😂

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

You got this!!! I will be starting a medical coding study group soon lmk of you’re interested in joining 😊

[@TheBestGoodbye]

You dont need to memorize anything for the test, just highlight guidelines in your book and when you see the code highlighted during the test you can cross reference! There are videos that go over chapter by chapter and show you exactly what to highlight

[@clearaswater4424]

​@@TheBestGoodbye Is this nationwide? I'm in Michigan.

[@TheBestGoodbye]

@@clearaswater4424 is what nationwide? The test? Its the same for any state I mentioned in another comment the wage I get paid, which is definitely not nationwide California tends to pay higher, I see that minimum wage in Michigan is only $10, california is 16 In michigan medical coders probably only make like 20-22 $/hr

[@couleuredgirl6314]

@@TheBestGoodbye$27 & 28 in NC

[@jmca110]

Awesome information, thank you. Do you have an opinion on getting an education on Preppy?

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

Thank you…no I don’t have any experience with them

[@alicevanderyt7127]

Lots of great information. Thank you!!

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

Thank you!

[@da1fromdaheightz]

amazing video thank you

[@allthethings6354]

Your first point is the reason I’m hesitant. I would like to obtain a certification but, the pay you receive after, doesn’t match the amount of money it takes to get in and stay in.

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

It does cost to become a coder but they fees are nowhere near equal to your salary plus some employers cover your fees 🤷🏾‍♀️ To me it’s worth it! Way cheaper then college tuition and student loans

[@allthethings6354]

@@levelupmedicalcodingmost jobs I’ve seen only pay $18-$20 an hour.

[@TheBestGoodbye]

I just studied off a study guide and videos and took the test, $400 (in payments), now I work remotely and get paid 28/hour lol what are you even talking about, dont make excuses

[@megankasal3194]

What study guide did you use and what exam did you end up taking? I'm thinking of trying it that way too and testing through aapc. I'm assuming I'd need to buy the books too though, right?​@@TheBestGoodbye

[@TheBestGoodbye]

@@megankasal3194 i bought the aapc official study guide but to be honest its kind of a waste of money. Dont spend time memorizing much, its all in the book. I failed the first time because I was memorizing the entire study guide. The second time I passed with 92% because instead of memorizing I BOOK PREPPED. Which is highlighting and cross referencing guidelines every single page. My book was written on a lot, make notes next to codes that have guidelines on other pages and stuff like that. MedicalCodingByJen YT channel is the best for this, I believe she has or used to have a book prep playlist and she tells you exactly what to write next to each code. This way when you take the test and use a code, youll see if theres a note and if necessary to apply certain guidelines. Obviously this is all after you understand the basics - how to use index, where to find modifiers, difference betweeneach book etc(which you can learn from any video on youtube just look up icd10 beginner basics or something like that)

[@ibironkeonunaku6416]

Very informative! Thank you very much.

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

You’re welcome ☺️

[@angelakea9866]

Could you share your experience in job searching. It's hard to find a job exposing you to coding when you're fresh out of school. Any advice? Thanks so much

[@couleuredgirl6314]

Start off in a hospital. Get to know different departments. Network.

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

I have in other videos but I will definitely make an updated video dedicated to my journey. Thanks for asking 😊

[@kimberlyowens3360]

I wish I had known the cost associated with keeping certification.

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

For real it can definitely cause sticker shock

[@jessicacolon1376]

@@kimberlyowens3360 some employers reimburse for it.

[@RapidStream35]

Thank you so much...

[@kathyberven9579]

Also where do you connect to get to get to know other fellow certified coders to connect?

[@jenlab4174]

LinkedIn and your local chapter are the best place. Also when you’re attending medical coding and billing school network with other students.

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

The chapter meetings for sure. Also Facebook groups, especially if you are thinking about or currently studying for a speciality. There are medical coding groups, medical billing groups medical auditing groups etc. Although I’ve yet to attend one but the conferences that AAPC holds, I hear great things about the networking that goes on there. Of course LinkedIn. There is a group called medical billing university that is a paid membership group but that is an awesome community as well.

[@MrsLizEest2023]

How was your experience in taking the self study on AAPC CPC? Did you take the pre-requisite (Fundamentals in Medicine also in AAPC)? Is their exam review and practice good?

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

I’ll make a video answering this question…stay tuned 🥰

[@mark-m1v3m]

I want to ask you a question. If I am a new immigrant coming to America and I am 60 years old, can I train and work in this profession? I have a bachelor’s degree in commerce and have worked in the computer field for a long time

[@DamarisMercado-e3b]

So I’m a medical assistant thinking to changing my career to medical coder. I have 12 yrs of experience in neurosurgery and neurology. I love that specialty so much. I would love to eventually get the cert for that specialty. How do you find certain jobs for different specialties? Thoughts? I hope I’m making the right decision 😅

[@Ehlaar]

Did you start?

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

Really I would just ask during the interview if they code for those specialties and if so ask if you could take over that specialty. If not consider being a back up coder and learn whatever specialties they are hiring for at that moment and code your favorite specialties whenever you are needed. Its always good to learn multiple specialties. You can also specifically search for those specialties on job search sites or at the company’s website

[@cherylell4208]

Great information 💐❤

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

Thank you

[@gen7180]

I was a MDS Coordinator, nurse for 40 years. I also coded while performing my job to submit to the state and feds for billing. This included Care Planning, and Diagnosis and out comes projected. Is this a job I could do also ?

[@angieharris8015]

To sum it up: Coder's are not Biller's and Biller's are not Coder's! That's like people think that Dental Hygiene and Dental Assistant are the same, NOT! Or EMT and Paramedic are the same, NOPE! There's also AHIMA for coding.

[@kathyberven9579]

Hi did you take the speciality certification course of AAPC or you did you do the course to get the education of that speciality to understand the medical coding codes to claim submission on behalf of the provider?

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

So I took the self pace course through AAPC for the CPC and the CPCD (dermatology specialty), to obtain the CRC and the CPMA is bought the study guides and just studied those but it all builds off of the CPC hope that makes sense

[@maryringo794]

Hi I finish my coding program in 2019 but havent gotten a job in the field but looking to now. thanks for your input needs some tips.

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

You’re welcome

[@sansapha9465]

Is it hard to get a part time job in this? Or is everything mostly full time?

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

Depends on the organizational needs. But you can do this part time

[@itsyaboimat2393]

Guys I have a basic 4th grade math level is that going to prevent me from being able to do this I dont want to drop 1k to go to school if its super complicated math

[@jessicacolon1376]

No for medical coder

[@habeebahs.2956]

You can always get tutoring for your math level.

[@faedleneericapierre-louis4133]

Hi, I'm planning to change career. I would like to start the medical coding and billing. But I don't want any bad suprise. So, Do I still need to pay a yearly membership to keep my Certification?

[@jessicacolon1376]

Yes

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

Yes

[@ambitiousbeauty1013]

How long do I have to work for accompany before I can qualify to work from home doing medical billing?

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

My company required me to be in the office for about 6 months

[@martinajohnson7175]

Thank you for this informative video! You’ve gained a new subscriber:-)

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

Thank you!! 😊 I really appreciate the support and feedback

[@CjEstus]

How much do medical coders make annually?

[@TheBestGoodbye]

I make 28/hour, from California

[@CjEstus]

@@TheBestGoodbye thank you kindly for telling your hourly wage.

[@CjEstus]

@@TheBestGoodbye do you work remotely from home?

[@TheBestGoodbye]

@@CjEstus yes from home but I worked in person as a scribe for a year to get my foot in door

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

kzbin.info0lYBzEExDP4?si=6eH-gJl6osfzsRje

[@chandanaulluri843]

Hi mam,i completed my cpc certification and working in medical coding from 4yrs.Iam from India.I want to come abroad .plz guide

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

Good luck! You picked a great profession

[@TheBestGoodbye]

You would need to be sponsored by a company which is extremely difficult

[@edenheaven5175]

Who is your employer?

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

A hospital

[@cateclism316]

I have relatives who believe medical coding involves computer programming!

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

😂😂 the title is a little deceiving

[@cateclism316]

@@levelupmedicalcoding I did take courses in programming, but I have always been fascinated by the medical field!

[@haroldallison2427]

*promo sm* 💞

[@levelupmedicalcoding]

💕

[@Themarketingsavant]

Good thing that's all a tax write-off