The Coder's Cypher

Your Work History: Learn What Background Companies See Before You Apply

noreply@blogger.com (Koding Korner) — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 06:27:00 +0000

Ever since the disastrous 2008 economic recession, the way we obtain employment has changed. Traditionally, you go through the interview process and if hired, receive an offer contingent on the background check and drug screen. Nowadays, did you know your signed consent also gives background check companies access to the employment history not indicated on your resume.

Equifax is not only a provider for credit history, but it also offers employment verification services.The verifier pays a fee to Equifax to retrieve the data after their registered and granted permission to use the site. Through this process, the background check company (the verifier) obtains the companies you have worked. Your signed authorization granted access when you submitted the job application.

Before you begin your job search, think about the companies listed on your resume. Head over to The Work Number. You can find your employer to access the site. If you have any trouble, contact your HR office for assistance. You only need one company to get your FREE Employment Data Report. If the report contains errors, you can dispute it and if invalid, Equifax will remove the content in 30 days.

So, if you are omitting a company, it closes down, or have invalid dates of employment, the background check company will halt your employment until it is verified. You could be required to submit a W-2 or an IRS tax transcript to prove employment. If you work for an employer not listed with The Work Number, make sure to save you W-2s. Also, your human resources office can BLOCK the information from The Work Number website if you send a written request.

The job search is often a stressful process, so prevent potential hiccups and land your perfect job.

Free Ceu's for AAPC & AHIMA Members

noreply@blogger.com (Koding Korner) — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 17:30:00 +0000

Are you in need of continuing education units to complete your medical coding certificate requirements? Are you scrambling for a cheaper solution to meet the obligation?

Then turn to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for free continuing education units. CMS is an approved vendor for AAPC and AHIMA members to earn ceus. They are provided through web-based training module format. You must score at least 70% to obtain a CEU certificate. CMS currently offers several WBT's for various certification programs.

This is a good place to start for newly credentialed AAPC and AHIMA members.

Medical Learning Network https://learner.mlnlms.com/Default.aspx

Click on the link for login instructions for the Medical Learning Network and certificate printing.

Availity

Availity offers webinars for AAPC. There are a limited number of free CEU's available on their website. Login to the Availity Learning Center. Click the Signin button and complete the registration.

Once there. Select the Catalog tab (either top left corner or the words "browse the catalog" on bottom of page (in bold).

Look at the Category tab. The "Coding" tab will be your first start, but I would look at each just in case.

Make sure to see language similar to:

CEU 1 AAPC CEU (can be earned through December 31, 2018)

Important Notes

This program has the prior approval of AAPC for one continuing education hour. Granting of prior approval in no way constitutes endorsement by AAPC of the program content or the program sponsor.

This means you can listen to the recorded webinar and print a certificate to get your AAPC CEU credit.

SuperCoder

Supercoder offers free CEU opportunities for AAPC members. You must attend the Live Webinar for free ceu credit. Otherwise, once its archived the webinar must be purchased. (This may apply "only to non Supercoder subscribers...ask them for further clarification).

https://www.supercoder.com/medical-coding-webinars

Libman Education

This website offers free ceu opportunities for AHIMA members. Just register on the selected webinar and you will receive a certificate once you complete the required survey.

On the home page. You will see their rotating flash for the latest/upcoming CEU.

Also click the "Webinars" tab to see which ones are "FREE" and state the AHIMA CEU award amount.

https://www.libmaneducation.com/news/webinar/

Navicure offer AAPC members free CEU opportunities. Also check the archived webinars and look for the "Earn CEU" on the webinar title.

For upcoming webinars http://www.navicure.com/events.html

Noridian Healthcare Solutions

Provides AAPC credit. Check for the AAPC Ceu Approved logo on the webinar.

https://med.noridianmedicare.com/web/jeb/education/training-events

AHIMA Scholarships in Medical Coding

noreply@blogger.com (Koding Korner) — Mon, 04 Sep 2017 19:38:00 +0000

There are a number of scholarships available at local universities and community colleges for Health Information Technology and Health Information Management students. If you just thought financial aid only applied to traditional college majors, well think again. Check with your financial aid office to see what scholarships are available.

It is extremely important to complete the application with all supporting documents before the deadline. (A typed application is highly preferred.) Also, try to establish a relationship with an instructor or employer for your letter of recommendation. Sharpen your writing skills, as an essay may also be required. This is essential to winning a scholarship since they are very competitive! You can also perform a scholarship search and create an account on Fastweb, Student Scholarships or CollegeBoard.

Currently, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) provides annual Merit scholarships through its foundation to qualified applicants.The 2018 scholarship application will be available July 1, 2018. There are four scholarship levels and the award amount varies by degree type.

The eligibility requirements for the scholarship are as follows:

Current member of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
Actively enrolled in a minimum of six (6) credit hours towards pursuing a degree
Completed 24 credit hours towards a degree (for graduate degree applicants, this can include undergraduate credit hours)
Have at least six (6) credit hours remaining after the award date (December 30, 2018)
Achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 (out of 4.0) or 4.5 (out of 5.0) based on the most recently completed 24 credit hours
Have not been awarded any AHIMA Foundation scholarship for the academic degree being sought through this application
Submit a completed online application and all of its components

Click the link to read more on the AHIMA Merit Scholarship criteria

There are also a number of on-going scholarships available through your local AHIMA chapter. Current students in an HIM program should obtain an AHIMA membership prior to completing a degree.

Remember to always check throughout the calendar year for scholarships.

Fund Your Education through AmeriCorps

noreply@blogger.com (Koding Korner) — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 22:35:00 +0000

The AmeriCorps program provides opportunities to earn money for college. Through the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) people can serve in with local and national nonprofits in a part-time, full-time, or summer position.The program allows participants to learn at various organizations, providing services in health, business, neighborhood revitalization, homelessness, and many others.

The service opportunities vary from 300 to 1700 community service hours with members serving in a NCCC, VISTA, State/National or position. Participants also receive a small living stipend which could include health insurance benefits depending on their length of service. A few positions could offer housing, a rent subsidy, mileage reimbursement, or public transportation passes.There are maximums for participation in the program.

The members which fulfill their community service obligation will receive a Segal Education award. The award amount varies, but full-time members get $5775.00 for their education. Members are eligible for a forbearance with CNCS paying their loan interest during their service term. In addition, members can use the Segal award to pay back student loans and for educational-related expenses. Lastly, their are few participating schools which grant additional awards for AmeriCorps members(school enrollment is required).

This program will end in 2019. The Donald Trump administration under the leadership of Department of Education Secretary, Betsy Devos have cut future funding for this program.

Click here to look for AmeriCorps positions.

Serving in AmeriCorps means you like "Getting Things Done!"

Is Social Media Preventing Your Employment?

noreply@blogger.com (Koding Korner) — Tue, 31 May 2016 05:10:00 +0000

Have you been on an interview which seemed guaranteed, yet later receive a rejection or simply no response? Well, if you have yet to land your desired job, the economy is probably not the only reason. Your social media life could be the answer. Nowadays, it is common practice for recruiter's to screen applicants social media activities for hiring.

Since the economy is still favorable for employers, many applicants are at a disadvantage based on their social content. Recruiters use many variable to screen potential hires, and your social media is not excluded. Employers seek candidates which fit their company's culture. The rule of thumb is to present yourself in a professional manner when starting your job search.

Search engines, like Google, have made it easier to track your activity. Many job applicants with public profiles on popular sites, like Facebook, could help aid in the hiring decision. Not all recruiters use this medium to consider a applicant, but you can never rule it out.So, if your a cursing expert or like to post provocative content; you have just influenced the recruiter's decision not to hire you. Just use common sense and eliminate a variable which keeps you from getting the job.

Shift Lanes While Looking for a Coder Position

noreply@blogger.com (Koding Korner) — Mon, 30 May 2016 12:30:00 +0000

Learn to broaden your horizon when looking for a medical coding position. Especially since the pool of applicants candidates increases and the number of jobs decreases. The larger companies are still scaling back the number of qualified hires each year. In 2013, a firm reported it received 17,000 applicants for 350 openings.

Employers still have a clear advantage in hiring.The are lots of credentialed coders, yet a high number have either little to no coding experience. A few will get employed due to their proactive approach during their job search.You must explore other ways to add value to your medical coding knowledge while in the hunt for a position.

It is always important to emphasize your skills, but also it meets the job requirements. Otherwise, do not apply. Furthermore,do not limit yourself to applying to just one or two websites. Many employers are receiving more traffic on their own website and no longer advertise on major career sites. So keep that in mind.

But, here are a few nationwide websites for coding positions.

Indeed
Healthcaresource
LinkedIn

Be a Medical Coding Veteran

noreply@blogger.com (Koding Korner) — Sun, 29 May 2016 07:30:00 +0000

A job with the federal government is an ideal place for a credentialed medical coder. The Veteran's Health Administration(VHA) offers various opportunities for employment.

The VHA accepts applicants with credentials from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). The application process with the government is a long.You will need some patience while you wait to hear back from them.The federal government will require more than your resume to satisfy their application. Applicants should be prepared to submit a college transcript for verification.

Although this process can be tedious, a position with the VHA can be beneficial to you. The federal government provides a great benefit package. The salaries vary by region, but the increases can be higher than civilian paying positions. The hierarchy of a VA salary is different from a civilian job due to the government pay scale along with your level of experience. If you have a military background, you can receive preference points on the application. This gives you an edge over other qualifying applicants.Visit www.usajobs.gov to begin your job search.

Is Your Coding Resume Being Rejected?

noreply@blogger.com (Koding Korner) — Sun, 29 May 2016 04:00:00 +0000

Have you been applying to medical coding jobs, but continue to receive rejection emails. The strength of your resume could be the problem.

The cover letter should have the basic principles of:

Naming recipient of the letter
States the name of the position and employer
Highlights a few of your skills and education
Provides your salary requirement
Lists your contact number for an interview

Your medical coding credential is not an automatic guarantee for employment. Therefore, your resume is the decision which determines if your the candidate to hire.

The screening process starts when your resume is submitted. Companies use software to filter which applicants qualify for their job announcement. Rejected applicants will receive a denial response from the Human Resources department. Resumes which meet the initial screening process will move on to the next level: A manual review. The recruiter will look over the "narrowed" applicant pool to determine which person(s) are given an interview.

So immediately, a resume is a make or break situation for any type of job. The resume should list your education and coding credential(s). Your resume should indicate the common keyword terms which are standard to the field and not exceed 2 pages. Also limit your use of fonts styles and formatting; overuse can get your resume rejected. ALWAYS CHECK FOR SPELLING ERRORS!!!

Check out the basic samples below:
(Visit your local bookstore careers section, and look for resume books. Many have great information on style and help with cover letter writing.)

Check out the samples below:

Steps to Earning a Medical Coding Degree

noreply@blogger.com (Koding Korner) — Sun, 29 May 2016 03:30:00 +0000

So, your thinking about acquiring a medical coding certification. What are the correct steps to complete your goal? It is always best to enroll in a community college or university program. Many correspondence (post secondary) schools offer a transfer guarantee, but due to their accreditation level, many regional community colleges and universities will not accept their credits.

It important for you to ask questions on the above mentioned items, but also do your homework and check with the accrediting organization to see if enrolling in the program is a plus or negative. Students who failed to research find out on the back-end, the dedication and time they spent to obtain a degree is worthless. Enrollment in a traditional community college and university is far less expensive than many of the advertised correspondence schools now seen popping up everywhere these days.

Counseling

Before you finalize your decision, you should always speak to an advisor. But, be careful. Counseling should not sound like a sales pitch. Your advising session should discuss your goals, the courses, the school's program and then the costs.

Verification

The United States Department of Education website offers an accreditation database. Here you can type in the name of the school along with their location and see the accreditation level. Some additional schools like school of law, school of nursing, etc. will may have their own separate accreditation in addition to the campus accreditation. If the campus information is not in their database, then do not enroll.

If you are deciding to do an online program, the accreditation for distance learning is governed by the Distance Education Training Council (DTEC). If you plan to attend a post secondary school which covers many correspondence schools, verify on this website link.

Curriculum

Many medical coding course programs should offer a curriculum in medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology, legal and ethics, pharmacology, inpatient and outpatient coding, and some additional billing and computer courses.

Fees

A community college program will take between 1 to 2 years (based on a certificate or associate degree) and cost between $2000.00 to $4000.00. A university program will be higher. Remember the fee is based on the schools fee per credit hour or the type of course. For instance , a medical terminology class at a community college could have a fee of $200.00 for 3 credits where a university may charge $400.00 per credit hour for 3 credit course.

Once you completed the above steps its time to decide which medical coding certification is right for you. Remember to check with the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) for the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), Certified Coding Specialist-Physician (CCS-P), Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) and Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certications. The American Academy of Professional Coders delegates the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and the Certified Outpatient Coder(COC) certification.

Prepping for a Coding Certification Exam

noreply@blogger.com (Koding Korner) — Sun, 29 May 2016 01:30:00 +0000

It is important to prepare for your CPC, COC, CCS, CCS-P, RHIA, RHIT certification exam. Cramming is not the answer to successfully pass a test of this nature. Applicants should study for 2-3 months in advance of their scheduled test. Using the guidelines of simple preparation will show if you are ready to pass and receive your medical coding credential on the first attempt.

Try to designate a schedule to prepare for your test. Test takers who are unprepared will be overwhelmed, dazed, or frustrated if they failed to take the necessary steps to study for a certification exam. Its a long and costly exam, so don't blow it by trying to wing it.

A weekly study group can also help you, but make sure not to rely it as your only preparation for the exam.  Instead, use it as a forum to cover each week a new medical coding topic and work on exercises together. It is essential to have a good outline for each session that allows for learning and discussion. Your group should meet for at least 2 hours each week in an effective setting like the library or a conference/meeting room, free from outside distractions.

There are variety of study guides, but the best come from the two accrediting organizations the AAPC and AHIMA.  Always use the most recent coding books to prepare as codes are changed or deleted each year.

Good Luck!

.

Teach the ICD-10: Becoming a AHIMA Trainer

noreply@blogger.com (Koding Korner) — Sun, 29 May 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Although the change from the ICD-9-CM to the ICD-10-CM occurred a while ago, the need to find certified professionals to teach it is highly desirable by many service providers. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is helping to aid this cause by providing an ICD-10-CM/PCS AHIMA Academy.

The academy will provide an applicant with an official AHIMA ICD Trainer certificate after successfully passing an online assessment. A person who chooses to pursue this opportunity can attend a training seminar. Currently the onsite training seminars run from 2-3 days at a designated location and are offered a few times throughout the year. Applicants will have the option of enrolling in an ICD-10-CM or ICD-10-CM/PCS class. The continuing education units (CEU's) vary per class.

Applicants do not have to be a member of the AHIMA in order to complete the certificate, but they will be subjected to higher fees than members. Seminar prices range from $1995 to $2195. The biggest recommended requirement for this certificate is that an applicant have one year of teaching experience, three years of direct ICD-9-CM coding experience. Refer to AHIMA Conference & Events link on upcoming "ICD-10-CM/PCS: Building Expert Trainers in Diagnosis and Procedure Coding" classes..

Acquiring Experience in Medical Coding

noreply@blogger.com (Koding Korner) — Sat, 28 May 2016 23:30:00 +0000

A great way to gain experience in medical coding is through an internship. It can also be referred as an "externship."

Some college certificate and degree programs will have this included as a "practicum" course. A student will work off-site at an approved clinic or hospital, completing assigned tasks in a medical records environment. The course can between eight to sixteen weeks depending on your college's course curriculum. Once completed a student will traditionally prepare for a certification exam.

But, what should you do if an internship program: (1) is not offered or (2) you have obtained a credential and have no experience. Well, the answer is volunteering.

Volunteering can get you in the position of obtaining a medical coding job. Take a visit to your local area clinic or hospital. Make an appointment to speak with the Coding Supervisor and explain why you would be a good fit to work as a volunteer in medical records department. Remember to make a positive impression and dress in a professional manner. Bring a resume and your AAPC or AHIMA certificate. If you are still in school, bring a copy of an official transcript to show your medical coding courses. Also be prepared to take a test if required. The hospital make also request a TB test for volunteers.

Once offered a position, make sure to treat it just like a regular job.

* Be on time
* Be professional
* Don't abuse your break time
* Show reliability

Also make sure your volunteer time is beneficial to your goal of getting a job in medical coding.

* It offers multitasking
* Allows you to work with different team members to gain experience
* You are able to code a few charts each visit

Turn 300 unpaid volunteer hours into a yearly paid salary. This is a great way to get your foot in the door and gain employment.