Anyone know about medical coding?

[Moxie]

I'm in the beginning stages of looking for what to do with my life when my youngest goes to school in 1.5 years (we don't homeschool anymore). Does anyone know anything about medical coding? My sister is a doctor and she says in her hospital, doctors have to do their own coding now so maybe it is a dying industry??

[Guest]

I am certified in medical coding. I've never been able to find anything to do with it. But I know people that took the classes when I did, that do work in that field now. One, for an insurance company  which seems to be the sweetest gig. She's basically a code proofreader.

 

But no, ime it's not a hoppin' profession. That's OK if someone in your area needs a coding specialist. It only takes one to get a job ;-) So it just depends on what you have around you.

[6packofun]

My sister is a doctor and she says in her hospital, doctors have to do their own coding now so maybe it is a dying industry??

 

I was looking into this as well and every one of my nurse and medical acquaintances said that this was the case.  :(  Sort of makes you wish the schools with programs for this weren't so numerous and giving people skills they may not be able to use if they're not already IN the industry, you know?

[Calm37]

I have been told that "retired" nurses get these jobs over anyone with just coding training.

[Liz CA]

Do you have any other degrees or marketable skills?

[Guest]

Do you have any other degrees or marketable skills?

I have a 16 year old Literature degree (that and $2 will get you a cup of coffee). My only real skill is wet-nursing and there isn't much market for that.

[kewb]

I have a friend who does medical coding and over the last decade she has seen a huge drop in the amount of work she gets. 

[kroe1]

Physicians and computers do that now at the hospital for which I work. There are no longer coders or transcriptionists who work there.