The Rising Cost of Being a Medical Coder

[@ContempoCoding]

Hey everyone! 🎉 Want to dive into Medical Billing & Coding? Check this out: MedicalCodingMasterclass.com/ 🤓 I'm hosting a totally free career masterclass. Learn how to become a certified pro and land that dream job! No student loans, no full-time college drama. In this session, we’ll cover: 👉🏻 What a day in the life of a Medical Coder looks like 👉🏻 Insider info like salary and growth in the industry 👉🏻 Tips for scoring the right training and even how to get it on the cheap! 👉🏻 Why you might wanna rethink that financial aid 👉🏻 What employers are really looking for It's jam-packed with goodies to get you started. Catch you there!

[@cassa7267]

The membership fee is outrageous. Mine has increased every year, and I'm not sure how to utilize it since getting a job is so difficult

[@Al-rn5qy]

So true. When I joined AAPC in 2015, dues were $125 and like another commentor said: coding jobs are hard to get. I was fortunate to land a coding position when I did, but I totally get that many aren't as fortunate. The cost is just outrageous!

[@jdmaine919]

I renewed my AAPC membership last week. Including tax, it was $221.55

[@Derandcam]

I joined AAPC last September , took their online course in my spare time while still working full time and just passed my exam🎉. Your videos were instrumental in helping me prepare for the exam so I want to say “thank you “!

[@tinah641]

The membership fee is expensive. I passed my exam in December, and I am still waiting to receive my certificate. I also went on the website to change to receive a paper copy of the magazine, and I still have not received a paper copy. We should automatically receive a paper copy of the magazine with the amount we pay for the membership fee.

[@allicat7soccer]

I had the same issue and called them. They said they are having issues with their systems so you have to reach out to get a paper copy

[@DanyalMM5]

​@@allicat7soccerhey Alli, i assume you well:) my name is Mohamed, how long you working as a medical coder? i just came across it recently, it seems interesting.

[@markchavez738]

The fees are so hefty. I’ve been paying for books every year, membership every year, getting CEUs every year and can’t even land a coding job. 😂 😔

[@skepticaltomboy]

I don't understand how the CEUs work. I've tried to use them, but whenever I click on the link, I get sent to a bad Request page.

[@Dragonfly_magictarot]

How many years have you been unemployed?

[@sandradugan7513]

I am continually shocked every year to pay more and more for my membership because I honestly do not feel like I'm getting that much from them and since I was certified in 2014 I was paying $135 I feel like in 2014 and I just paid $205 this year. To be honest if I didn't work in the hospital prior to my certification with very good chance of getting this job in coding because I had already been at the hospital for 8 years I would never have wanted to spend the money I do now and those books are ridiculous they send us huge books every year for astronomical prices that are no good the next year what am I supposed to do with these books so I stopped buying the books I have encoder for work with the CPT on it so no more wasted paper!! You do a wonderful service thank you.

[@ostinvt]

how about salaries are not increasing , since forever!

[@fortin0628]

Hi. I've been doing some research on Medical coding and am really interested in getting started. May I ask what is the point of having a membership fee? It's like paying to be a part of a work club, but you're not even guaranteed to get a job.

[@cassa7267]

Exactly that, I haven't recieved the benefits of the membership

[@Moonbunny55]

I would be a bad person if I didn’t at least warn you. Do not go for coding alone and expect to thrive. Put your money in another realm besides coding. Go for health information management or similar and then contemplate coding.

[@fortin0628]

@Moonbunny55 Thank you for the advice. I graduated with a degree in Healthcare Administration 2 years ago and have felt inferior because I do not have the experience employers want currently. I am a retail store manager and have been in retail for over 22 years. It's all I know. I figured maybe getting into Medical billing and Coding would give me a leg up. I've always been more operationally driven in my job, but I feel it is not enough to get me where I want to be. I don't know what to do with my life. I just know I want to be better for my kids and I do not want to be in retail for the rest of my life.

[@Moonbunny55]

A 2 year degree should get you in the door and with your amazing amount of managerial skills is a bonus for an employer. Have you applied as a desk clerk or other similar positions? Start wherever you can and work your way up. Your manager skills should get you into a lot of places! It could mean a pay cut but ever so temporary if you could find something entry level. Resource health care jobs on Facebook, Linked in , EVERYWHERE and start applying and when you land the health care admin job you’re good to go. If you’ve already done that, try again. I don’t think coding will make a big difference up front since it’s difficult to get in as a newbie but after I can see how a coding and billing Cert could accent a manager position in an office. Either way, I see success for you and your family. You pack a bigger punch than you realize ❤

[@fortin0628]

@@Moonbunny55 Thank you. ❤️

[@Beactive77]

Seeing so many comments in other groups about how hard it has been to find a job than knowing all these fees one has to pay… I don’t think I will bother with this certification.😢

[@ShawnaWolfenberger]

Most of us love our job. The cost is a separate issue. I think the fees are too much, but I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. Landing a job doesn’t always happen right away. Lots of prayers. Once you do land that job you’ll realize it was worth it.

[@ShollowayRHIT]

It’s well worth it! I love my career :)

[@ContempoCoding]

Absolutely! People balk at the membership fees, but most credentialed healthcare professionals have them, too. RNs in my state is $297 every other year. And the AAPC includes a lot with their memberships like the magazine, chapter meetings, etc.

[@fitzget9]

Would love to hear your thoughts on Optum’s surprise layoffs today. Very sad for the hundreds of affected coders

[@gregcraven4973]

Yes, It is very expensive I paid $205 .

[@cathyortiz5911]

With all these fees - makes me wonder if going to the trouble of learning medical coding is worth it -- esp with a rough entry level income of 35grand. 🤔

[@chaser1997]

I’m actually considering walking away from the medical coding industry after only being certified for less than 3 years. Getting more and more difficult to find a job and the expense is getting crazy.

[@MrsHound]

Have you not worked in a coding job since getting certified less than 3 years ago?

[@chaser1997]

@@MrsHound yes I have had 2 coding jobs. I’m lucky that I found work but not the right one for me. I try to apply to other jobs that are a better fit but get denied because of the assessments. I passed the CPC exam on my first try no problem but those required assessments for companies hiring policy are a challenge for me and I can’t seem to pass them. Most places require it. I thought getting my CPC would give me a lot of opportunities but I feel stuck and can’t move forward. The coding industry may not be for me unfortunately.

[@MJ-ed9sl]

Thank You for posting this I have not enrolled yet, having second thoughts. The local career center will no longer offer WIOA for medical coding stating people are not finding jobs.

[@chaser1997]

@@MJ-ed9sl it’s difficult for sure. I definitely wished I knew a lot of things before pursuing this career. I probably would have decided on something else.

[@Amanda-uu6sm]

The prices are insane. I pay because I have to keep my job, but I refuse to give AAPC any money outside of the membership dues.

[@chrisdseverance5722]

You have soooo many videos and I have soooo many questions. I dont know even where to begin with your videos.

[@WahidTaufiq101]

How much is the salary for coding now

[@AutumnAwesome]

Thank you for all the info you've given. I've wandered a number of your videos and appreciate the insight offered. I'm wondering. I have over 20 years' experience in the medical field both in-patient and out-patient data entry and billing. I'm considering taking the CPC exam just right out the gate with no "formal" training. What sort of advice could you offer? I'm also considering taking the practice tests offered on AAPC site and reading up on the CPT codes as they aren't apart of my current position.

[@erinmorris133]

😂i literally had to use affirm to pay mine with books and membership.

[@becca9929]

I don’t get CEUs through aapc if I can help it. It is too expensive and my coding job doesn’t offer a comparable raise to keep up with raising costs

[@Josh-xh2bm]

Hello, medical coders! I am from the Philippines, and I am a college undergrad. I enrolled in a class for medical coding, I am kinda scared of what I am seeing in the comments and to other facebook groups about the struggles of getting a job after passing CPC exam. Is still worth to pursue in 2024? I have a couple of years of experience working remotely as a Virtual Assistant, and I want to get a more stable remote or wfh job in the long run. I dont mind going to the office once or twice a week.

[@foxymchloe]

Do you have any videos going over the CBCS exam? I have to take mine on the 5th and can't find anyone talking about it. And I'd love some help with it.

[@Thebeekeeper568]

They need to take care of their share holders before the American people.

[@MrsHound]

Hi VICTORIA!! Could you please reach out to me and let me know how I can Upgrade my membership with you please? I’m sorry to post it on here but I for the life of me cannot figure out how to do that. Thank you so much 😊

[@jeremeolson5555]

why is the apprenticeship being pushed hard? CCS is what is needed

[@ContempoCoding]

I'm not aware of apprentice being "pushed" or by whom.

[@jeremeolson5555]

@@ContempoCoding Ahima suggests CCA before CCS

[@jeremeolson5555]

@@ContempoCoding Ahima is suggesting CCA first

[@ContempoCoding]

@@jeremeolson5555 Oh that's just cause AHIMA gets more money if you take your CCA and then take your CCS.

[@kateedwards372]

What do I do if my local chapter hasn't met since 2019?

[@ContempoCoding]

If you local chapter hasn't met since 2019, I would suspect they have closed. The requirement of the AAPC for the past several years is that chapters have at least 4 meetings a year or they close them. Typically when they close you will be assigned the next closest chapter by zip code. Log into your AAPC account and hover over your name in the top right hand corner, and select "profile and preferences" in the drop down. Scroll down and open up the "local chapter" tab to select another assigned chapter and hit the "update" button to save it to your profile.

[@Iarek]

Hi Everybody, I am thinking to become a certified coder. What do you think it would be worth full for me as I have been working as a AR Executive in medical Billing company for around 2 years. Should I do CPC?? I need your valuable suggestions. Thank You Abdul from Pakistan.

[@foxkeeper6933]

Are Medical Coders allowed overtime? (If they're a full-time worker)

[@ContempoCoding]

Depends on the employer.