Thinking about a career change. Any info on medical coding and billing?

Robcatt24

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Sep 17, 2005
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Been a working class dog my whole life.

Getting to the age that I'm looking to transition into a career that I can do until I'm an old man.

I've heard that medical coding is a pretty good paying job. Of course, you hear everything about everything.

What kind of education/training would it take to get started?

It's either that or I'm starting that meth lab with my buddy.
 

funKYcat75

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Apr 10, 2008
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If it's a profession that scrolls up on a daytime TV commercial, then it's a sure bet for guaranteed big bucks.
 

Glenn's Take

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paintrain_cat

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You seem like the type to peddle AdvoCare, ItWorks!, or Younique. I'm sure a vehicle decal with your phone number would tag along. Stay in your lane, brother.
 

starchief

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Don't bother with it. Have a granddaughter who went to school for it for a year in Tucson. Number one in her class. Best job she could find was for about a dollar an hour more than minimum wage. They pump out so many graduates that the competition drives down wages to practically nothing. They required her to overbill and she quit in less than two weeks.

Things may be different somewhere else.
 

GhostVol

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Been a working class dog my whole life.

Getting to the age that I'm looking to transition into a career that I can do until I'm an old man.

I've heard that medical coding is a pretty good paying job. Of course, you hear everything about everything.

What kind of education/training would it take to get started?

It's either that or I'm starting that meth lab with my buddy.
If I had to do it all again, I'd be an ultrasound tech. Good pay, ZERO accountability. If your imaging is jacked up, blame it on the patient moving around while the ultrasound is going on .
 

starchief

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OP, Become the CEO of your own enterprise and find yourself a young blond model.
 

IdaCat

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May 8, 2004
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Marry a rich, very old widow and make sure you're her sole heir when she croaks.
 

CastleRubric

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last time I was around public health and software and all that jazz it SOUNDED Like your pros and cons would look like this:

PROS
1) Prob fairly recession proof job since the encoding and transcription will never end

2) Probably some good looking women in your facility here or there - you might be able to get one into a closet and ask her to lift her....>>NEVERMIND<

3) relaxed dress code???


CONS
1) You're probably going into a medical office environment where the admin types will treat you like a 'gopher' --- Dr's rule the roost (even at CDC) - so there's a human tendency to help roll $hi+ downhill by taking it out on those who aren't in a position ....DAMN IT IM RAMBLING........you might be the gopher / heel of the office

2) stuck in side all day with sick people coming and going -- how's your immune system?

3) probably boring as all get out -- but that depends on the person......and whether or not you can "make your own excitement" with boring jobs


whatthehellamIdoinguptalking about this?!?!??!
 

UKserialkiller

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Dec 13, 2009
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can I gett in on this?

at least in spirit?

I'd like to be your spiritual advisor and help guide your LLC to a higher plane

I just love you like that, Willy

Brother, i believe i set it up to be able to issue stocks. You got any ideas? We'll issue 8 billion shares and then dilute the **** out out of it
 

GrandePdre

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It's a very volatile job. Lots of layoffs and shuffling of staff with insurers beating each other up, bailing on Obamacare, and going out of business altogether. My wife worked for CHA Health. Bought out by Humana. Then at Bluegrass Family Health. Bought out by Baptist Health. Now, Baptist Health is shutting down its insurance division because it lost the state contract to Anthem/BCBS. So, she's likely looking for a job after the new year for the 3rd time in 7 years.
 

Mills_for_Three

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My formal training is in Nursing. I completed a graduate degree in Information Assurance, and now run a Health Information Security firm---I do alright. Instead of coding I would push you toward healthcare technology, it's really a booming field right now.
 

dgtatu01

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Sep 21, 2005
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If you mean you're looking to transition from physical labor to a desk job, your best bet is to learn how to write code (program a computer). Your other bet is to learn to sell stuff.

Medical coding is a crap job that for-profit colleges are pumping out people for left and right, there will be no good pay in that and it will cost you to get certified so I wouldn't even bother with it.
 
Apr 24, 2009
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Go back to school and be an RN. Always jobs anywhere you want to go. Even travel jobs if that appeals to you. If you're really ambitious, after RN training go for your CRNA, ching, ching.
 

BlueVelvetFog

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Apr 12, 2016
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Go back to school and be an RN. Always jobs anywhere you want to go. Even travel jobs if that appeals to you. If you're really ambitious, after RN training go for your CRNA, ching, ching.
Yeah but don't you have to handle poop and screaming people?
 

BlueVelvetFog

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Apr 12, 2016
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If you mean you're looking to transition from physical labor to a desk job, your best bet is to learn how to write code (program a computer). Your other bet is to learn to sell stuff.

Medical coding is a crap job that for-profit colleges are pumping out people for left and right, there will be no good pay in that and it will cost you to get certified so I wouldn't even bother with it.
I agree. Avoid those for profit outfits like MedTech and ITT Tech etc. Do your research on placement rates and pay rates
 

CastleRubric

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Brother, i believe i set it up to be able to issue stocks. You got any ideas? We'll issue 8 billion shares and then dilute the **** out out of it

I like the idea of....as you say..."SHARING" and also "DOUBLING THINGS".....it's like.......well, it's a damn modern day monetary fiduciary miracle

I'm glad I'm a part of this team, Willy

Now - because I'm frisky and curious like a CAT -- I'm gonna go back and see what the hell you were actually talking about

AND THEN -- if there's room for a telework spiritual advisor

Well.....I'm your man


This ain't over
 

Wall2Boogie

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Jan 28, 2010
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Have you considered the University of Phoenix?
Sorry, they ain't got **** in southern New Hampshire university or decry university. You're just plain ignorant if you don't shed a tear everytime you see the snhu bus handing out diplomas every commercial.

As for career change op, try primerica their pyramid scheme of bringing in new clients to sell them people ****** trust funds will have you swimming in cash in no time.
 

DSmith21

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If you are decent looking, have good stamina, grooming habits and at least an average sized unit, you might consider this field.

 
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Laparkafan

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Sep 5, 2004
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Sorry, they ain't got **** in southern New Hampshire university or decry university. You're just plain ignorant if you don't shed a tear everytime you see the snhu bus handing out diplomas every commercial.

As for career change op, try primerica their pyramid scheme of bringing in new clients to sell them people ****** trust funds will have you swimming in cash in no time.

I went to one of those primerica interviews/meetings 10 years ago and stayed 15 minutes and walked out...they called me and begged me to come back and I just laughed.
 

UKGrad93

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I went to one of those primerica interviews/meetings 10 years ago and stayed 15 minutes and walked out...they called me and begged me to come back and I just laughed.
I used to work with a guy that got into Primerica deals. He ended up getting a brokers license. I don't think he ever made a lot of money with it. He did get audited by the IRS. something about the mileage deduction that he claimed flagged his return. He wore out a bunch of old cars driving all over for it.
 

FrankUnderwood

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May 26, 2017
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A couple friends of mine just got their certification / degree in medical coding- billing and essentially gave up on trying to find a job in that specific field.
Most places were either requiring years of experience- and pay was still low ish, or it was super " entry level" -$9-$11 an hour for call center type jobs.

I know there can be a lot of money made in the field, but I feel like maybe the market is over saturated . I mean you hear commercials, online colleges ... etc etc advertising their "medical coding program " all the time.


Of course , I could be wrong :)