Quincy Bay Coders Professional Development Workshop & Job Fair June 2012 June 2012 **Consider using the chapter logo 1
The $64,000 Question: What kinds of jobs are out there for professional coders? 2
Diversity of Coding Jobs/Careers Physician professional services Hospital outpatient & inpatient services Independent diagnostic centers Coding Department Managers & Supervisors Coding Instructors ICD-10 Trainers Insurance Coding & Reimbursement Analysts 3
Nurse Auditors Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists Coding & Billing Compliance Auditors Medical Billers Compliance Officers Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists Nurse Auditors Coding & Billing Compliance Auditors Medical Billers Compliance Officers Independent Coding Consultants... and then some! s
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Relatively New Jobs/Tasks Specialty Coders Coding instructors (CPC-I) Insurance Claim Adjudicators (CPC-P) Medical Record Auditors (CPMA) Chart auditing for E&M services (CEMC) Compliance officers (CPCO) Law enforcement and legal issues Coordination of ICD-10 implementation 6
Organizations That Hire Coders Physician practices Hospitals Nursing homes & Rehabilitation facilities Home health & hospice agencies Billing companies 7
Government & commercial insurance Workers Compensation carriers Legal firms Educational institutions Independent consulting firms The AAPC!
Jobs for Newly Certified Coders Auditing pre-coded superbills Physicial/facility transcription review Internet research on medical terms Specialty-specific coding Use of ASA manuals for Anesthesia coding Externships to convert from CPC-A status 9
Jobs for Experienced Coders (Two-plus Years) Coding & billing compliance review Appeals E&M chart scoring/verification Advanced specialty-specific coding Physician education of coding changes Assisting IT with software testing Publication of coding education articles 10
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AAPC Job Board (aapc.com/jobs) LinkedIn (linkedin.com/networking/jobs/education) Unemployment/DETMA establishments Career education institutions Project Xtern sites
Coding Professional Development Career Pathway Step 1 Obtain education in medical terminology, human anatomy, and pathophysiology Step 2 Join the AAPC and partake of a PMCC program Step 3 Prepare & pass the CPC exam and/or specialty exam Step 4 Network with other coders your local chapter meetings are an excellent starting point 13
Step 5 Continue your coding education by attending events that lead to CEUs Step 6 If feasible, work as an extern for a specified period to satisfy the requirement for full CPC certification Step 7 Seek, obtain and maintain a job in your desired career, including any required specialty credential Step 8 Stick with it learning is boundless, and knowledge is power!
Job Search Tips Honing Your Job-Seeking Skills and Employability Posture Development Interviewing Skills Cover Letter/Resume Preparation and Review Optimal Use of Employment Web Sites and Search Engines Professional Networking 15
Sample Coding Job Description (Auditor - insert details) 16
Sample Coding Job Description (Complaince Officer - insert details) 17
Sample Coding Job Description (Specialty Coder - insert details) 18
Sample Coding Job Description (ICD-10 Trainer - insert details) 19
Sample Coding Job Description (Facility Coder - insert details) 20
Sample Coding Job Description (Insurance Company Coder - insert details) 21
Sample Coding Job Description (ICD-10 Implementation Coordinator - insert details) 22
SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CODING CAREERS23
I M INTERESTED IN LEARNING MEDICAL CODING AND PURSUING A CODING CAREER BUT I HAVE NO WORK EXPERIENCE IN A MEDICAL SETTING. HOW DO I GET STARTED? Begin by joining the AAPC & participate the Professional Medical Coding Curriculum (PMCC) program Consider taking preliminary, related courses prior to PMCC Upon passing the exam you will be awarded the credential of Certified Professional Coder Apprentice (CPC-A.) After you have worked two years doing coding, you will be designated as a full-fledged fledged CPC. 24
I M A CPC-A... HOW DO I GET THE A REMOVED? The AAPC requires two years of vocational coding or coding-related experience to get the A removed. There are a number of ways of becoming a full-fledged fledged CPC: Work for two years as a coder in some capacity in an allied health setting Complete 80 hours of medical coding training and work for one year as a coder in a healthcare setting Work as an extern in a coding position for a specified period of time based on other related experience **Clarify this Complete an online exam offered by the AAPC which involves correctly coding several hundred operative reports 25
I HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN THE MEDICAL FIELD AND WOULD LIKE TO BECOME A CODER... IS THERE AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM THAT COVERS ONLY CODING? Yes. The PMCC program provides a comprehensive coding education package. Prior background (either educational or vocational) in medical terminology and human anatomy is a big plus toward successfully completing the PMCC program including passing the CPC exam. **Consider discussing coding boot camps here instead - Clarify 26
I HAVE WORKED ON THE CLINICAL SIDE OF MEDICINE AND NOW DESIRE EXPOSURE TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE SIDE... WHAT CAN THE AAPC OFFER TO ENHANCE SUCH A CHANGE? With your strong background in medicine, you would start with the PMCC program and pass your CPC exam The AAPC also offers numerous supplementary exams and related certifications including Auditors Compliance Officers Coders for a multitude of medical specialties **Consider adding more administrative specialties to answer this question 27
I M A SEASONED CODER AND WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN JOBS RELATED TO ICD-10... WHAT SHOULD I BE DOING NOW, AND AS WE APPROACH THE GO-LIVE DATE? Attend AAPC events related to ICD-10 Familiarize yourself with the ICD-10 10-CM/PCS code sets Become well-versed in human pathophysiology & details of the ICD-10 10-CM/PCS coding structure for proper code selection. You may also apply to the AAPC to become a certified ICD-10 trainer. 28
??? QUESTIONS??? 29
THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK IN YOUR CODING JOB SEARCH! 30