Medical Coding (school, certificate, jobs, students)

[SweetRay]

I was just wondering, is there anyone here who went or is going to school for medical coding and is now a coder? If so, how did you do and do you have a job now being a coder? How do you like it?

I'm just about done with my first quarter for medical coding. I'm liking it so far and so far, my grades are good. I'm nervous about the next quarter as I keep reading from other students (I do an online program) that some classes are pretty hard. Makes me nervous..lol.

[Eeyore1]

I am not a coder, but I have several friends who are (were.) All of my friends who were working in coding have been laid off, and their jobs have been outsourced. Seemed like it was a "hot" field, but I would approach with caution.

[Pitt Chick]

Originally Posted by Eeyore1

All of my friends who were working in coding have been laid off, and their jobs have been outsourced.

Same thing happened in my area....

[MovedfromFL]

I heard the same thing, but only regarding transcription. One lady told me that with the new push to on-line records, medical transcription is fading out.

I was wondering about the billing and coding side. My sister in law does medical billing and coding.

[nicet4]

Originally Posted by SweetRay

I was just wondering, is there anyone here who went or is going to school for medical coding and is now a coder? If so, how did you do and do you have a job now being a coder? How do you like it?

I'm just about done with my first quarter for medical coding. I'm liking it so far and so far, my grades are good. I'm nervous about the next quarter as I keep reading from other students (I do an online program) that some classes are pretty hard. Makes me nervous..lol.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but let me give it to you straight.

Very tough to find a job and it is getting tougher and, in some areas, nearly impossible for someone without experience.

I know because my wife got her medical transcription certificate a year ago and nothing. Luckily she doesn't have to work, I am proud of her for doing this, but there aren't enough jobs available.

I sneaked a peak at our local (very small) community college classes and I would estimate they are pushing out 20 to 30 per year and how many are needed anyway?

So, get your certificate but do not go heavily into debt or fall into the belief it will magically get you a $16 per hour job because it most likely will not.

[SweetRay]

Awww well that all sucks. But I'm still gonna stick with it. I got a pell grant to cover my whole tuition, so that's good. If I don't find a job doing medical coding, at least I have the job I have now which is in health insurance.

Thanks for the responses.