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Post by blarneygirl on May 14, 2015 17:38:12 GMT
Look at me! My first thread!
I'm starting to look at getting back into the work force. I left a career 20 years ago when I had my first son. It was always my intention to go back to work in some manor when my youngest (now 14) was driving and could get himself back and forth to school (right now, I'm the bus).
My husband passed away suddenly at the end of February. Along with all of the life changes that have occurred to us, I'm viewing the type of job I will need to look for differently. In a perfect world, if I could *pick* I'd love to work from home and have the ease and flexibility to still get him back and forth to school for the next couple of years. It's been suggested to me, that medical coding could be a good avenue for me to pursue.
Even if it's not feasible for me to think of this as a job I can easily work from home, perhaps it's still a valuable pursuit? (Throw caution to the wind and hope things somehow workout with travel to and from school!) I've done some googling, I've seen "learn online", etc. I'm looking for suggestions from anyone who has experience with this? Or frankly, any suggestions and thoughts from peas who have been able to work home based jobs.
Thanks so much for all your ideas!
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Gravity
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,229
Jun 27, 2014 0:29:55 GMT
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Post by Gravity on May 14, 2015 17:45:06 GMT
I am very sorry for the loss of your DH.
Do you have any type of medical background or office skills? Is there a demand for medical coding in your area? Research the actual demand, qualifications, and salary on your own. Don't go by what the medical coding school tells you. They are out to make a profit and are worried about their bottom line, not yours. I don't mean to be negative Nelly, I just don't want you to pay big bucks for a class that doesn't have the results you are looking for.
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Post by trixiecat on May 14, 2015 17:47:49 GMT
I have a girlfriend who took online classes to get a "degree" in this. It took her I believe 1 1/2 years. She works for a hospital system now and makes a lot of money.
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Post by traceys on May 14, 2015 17:48:59 GMT
This is not my field, but last year when I was working with seniors in high school I had them investigate a variety of careers. This was one they had interest in. It seems that while there are legitimate programs and jobs in this area, there are also lots of scams associated with it, so just be careful about fulling investigating the demand in your area and any program you might enter.
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Post by blarneygirl on May 14, 2015 18:03:22 GMT
I am very sorry for the loss of your DH. Do you have any type of medical background or office skills? Is there a demand for medical coding in your area? Research the actual demand, qualifications, and salary on your own. Don't go by what the medical coding school tells you. They are out to make a profit and are worried about their bottom line, not yours. I don't mean to be negative Nelly, I just don't want you to pay big bucks for a class that doesn't have the results you are looking for. My background is in textile design. I worked in the garment center in NYC before kids. My only connection to textiles in the last 20 years is the laundry and some quilting! It is my understanding that this is a growing and competitive field right now, that's why I was considering it as an avenue, but I'm open to looking into anything that accommodates my situation with my son who is still home with me. I appreciate your POV, no negative nelly received! |
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Post by blarneygirl on May 14, 2015 18:07:34 GMT
This is not my field, but last year when I was working with seniors in high school I had them investigate a variety of careers. This was one they had interest in. It seems that while there are legitimate programs and jobs in this area, there are also lots of scams associated with it, so just be careful about fulling investigating the demand in your area and any program you might enter. Thanks, yes, this is one concern. How do I weed through legitimate and scams? Are all online schooling opportunities scams? I'm really at the start of this process, and through my 14 years of lurking, I've learned the peas are a wealth of knowledge on all things! Hoping for some helpful insights! |
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Post by Dreamsofnyssa on May 14, 2015 18:20:07 GMT
You can go to www.ahima.org to find approved educational programs for coding. AHIMA is the organization that oversees the certification test to become a certified coder. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 3, 2024 8:27:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2015 18:34:44 GMT
OP, I'm so sorry about your husband. I've worked at home since 2007 and have always found the forums at WAHM.com to be very helpful for any WAH ideas I've considered. People share firsthand experiences with specific companies so you get the real deal. Here is one such thread about coding (not great news but realistic): www.wahm.com/forum/flexjobs-487/736195-medical-billing-coding.htmlI have a local friend who paid a bunch and spent a lot of time on a coding course (in person at Laurus College) but hasn't been able to find a coding job yet. I agree with what the poster above said - the coding course companies are getting rich off selling the dream so they're going to make it sound good. Talk to actual attendees and working coders to get a realistic view. Even if you end up not going down the coding road, I believe you'll find the perfect option for you just by doing your internet research. I started with transcribing and built that into a business as a virtual assistant. It takes a lot of time and effort but it can be done! |
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Post by blarneygirl on May 14, 2015 18:42:38 GMT
You can go to www.ahima.org to find approved educational programs for coding. AHIMA is the organization that oversees the certification test to become a certified coder. Oh, gosh! Thanks!! |
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Post by blarneygirl on May 14, 2015 18:46:49 GMT
OP, I'm so sorry about your husband. I've worked at home since 2007 and have always found the forums at WAHM.com to be very helpful for any WAH ideas I've considered. People share firsthand experiences with specific companies so you get the real deal. Here is one such thread about coding (not great news but realistic): www.wahm.com/forum/flexjobs-487/736195-medical-billing-coding.htmlI have a local friend who paid a bunch and spent a lot of time on a coding course (in person at Laurus College) but hasn't been able to find a coding job yet. I agree with what the poster above said - the coding course companies are getting rich of selling the dream so they're going to make it sound good. Talk to actual attendees and working coders to get a realistic view. Even if you end up not going down the coding road, I believe you'll find the perfect option for you just by doing your internet research. I started with transcribing and built that into a business as a virtual assistant. It takes a lot of time and effort but it can be done! Thank you for sharing this! This also looks like just what I'm looking for! |
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sarahruby
Full Member
Posts: 299
Jul 1, 2014 0:40:17 GMT
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Post by sarahruby on May 14, 2015 22:58:46 GMT
Hello! I am currently studying medical coding.
I started off with my local college, did online courses and courses on campus.
The online courses were great, however the campus courses were just okay.
They give A LOT of information in a short time.
I am currently doing my studies with codingcertification.org. Honestly, I wish I would have known about CCO, I wouldn't have gone through my local college. I feel I am getting so much from them.
When I heard about CCO, I was hesitant b/c it's an online program. Does that make sense?
As time went on, I discovered they are backed by AAPC, which is where I will taking my exam thru when I'm ready.
A classmate of mine from the college also signed on with CCO, and is glad she did.
Hope this information helps you, feel free to message me if you need more information.
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Post by blarneygirl on May 15, 2015 0:07:01 GMT
Hello! I am currently studying medical coding. I started off with my local college, did online courses and courses on campus. The online courses were great, however the campus courses were just okay. They give A LOT of information in a short time. I am currently doing my studies with codingcertification.org. Honestly, I wish I would have known about CCO, I wouldn't have gone through my local college. I feel I am getting so much from them. When I heard about CCO, I was hesitant b/c it's an online program. Does that make sense? As time went on, I discovered they are backed by AAPC, which is where I will taking my exam thru when I'm ready. A classmate of mine from the college also signed on with CCO, and is glad she did. Hope this information helps you, feel free to message me if you need more information. Thank you! This is more great info! How long for you to complete the program? I've read that the test has a high failure rate, which is a little scary to me since it's been so long since I've schooled/studied/tested for anything! Thank you so much ladies! I feel lost in general, and I really had no idea where to begin with all of this. Now I don't feel like I'm wandering aimlessly through the internet! |
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on May 15, 2015 0:26:21 GMT
This is not my field, but last year when I was working with seniors in high school I had them investigate a variety of careers. This was one they had interest in. It seems that while there are legitimate programs and jobs in this area, there are also lots of scams associated with it, so just be careful about fulling investigating the demand in your area and any program you might enter. Yes really do your homework, about job opportunities and schools it is one of the careers that scream scam! Have you thought about becoming a para legal... I know that is a growing lucrative field. Good luck. |
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Post by blarneygirl on May 15, 2015 0:36:13 GMT
This is not my field, but last year when I was working with seniors in high school I had them investigate a variety of careers. This was one they had interest in. It seems that while there are legitimate programs and jobs in this area, there are also lots of scams associated with it, so just be careful about fulling investigating the demand in your area and any program you might enter. Yes really do your homework, about job opportunities and schools it is one of the careers that scream scam! Have you thought about becoming a para legal... I know that is a growing lucrative field. Good luck. Para legal sounds even more daunting that medical coder! lol (Is it?) I've been home doing mom/wife stuff for 20 years (I would have been married 30 years in November). I just turned 53, and trying to decide if I should purge and sell my home I've been in 18 years. To say my head is spinning is an understatement. |
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Post by austnscrapaddict on May 15, 2015 2:51:20 GMT
I have a friend that is a Medical coder, she doesn't make a lot( about 35K- ish? ) but does work from home.There seems to be a lot of opportunities to move around. I recall she is AACP certified.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 3, 2024 8:27:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2015 3:35:27 GMT
Yes really do your homework, about job opportunities and schools it is one of the careers that scream scam! Have you thought about becoming a para legal... I know that is a growing lucrative field. Good luck. Para legal sounds even more daunting that medical coder! lol (Is it?) I've been home doing mom/wife stuff for 20 years (I would have been married 30 years in November). I just turned 53, and trying to decide if I should purge and sell my home I've been in 18 years. To say my head is spinning is an understatement. I don't know .... have you heard about ICD-10? LOL |
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on May 15, 2015 4:23:50 GMT
Yes really do your homework, about job opportunities and schools it is one of the careers that scream scam! Have you thought about becoming a para legal... I know that is a growing lucrative field. Good luck. Para legal sounds even more daunting that medical coder! lol (Is it?) I've been home doing mom/wife stuff for 20 years (I would have been married 30 years in November). I just turned 53, and trying to decide if I should purge and sell my home I've been in 18 years. To say my head is spinning is an understatement. I have a couple of friends who have become para legals in their 50's. they have been successful. |
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Post by kraft4fun on May 15, 2015 6:08:06 GMT
i started my aa in billing and coding a year in we were notified it will no longer be an online program through the state colleges. i am over 200 miles from the school. changed schools and programs.
Sent from my NX008HD8G using proboards
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,446 
Location: So Cal
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Post by caangel on May 15, 2015 6:31:07 GMT
I'm a SAHM and my kids are just entering elementary school but one of the ideas I was considering exploring was bookkeeping. I taught before having kids and have an extreamly part time job at their school right now so I haven't done any more research. Everyone that I've mentioned bookkeeping to has had good things to say about it.
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Post by blarneygirl on May 15, 2015 10:54:43 GMT
Para legal sounds even more daunting that medical coder! lol (Is it?) I've been home doing mom/wife stuff for 20 years (I would have been married 30 years in November). I just turned 53, and trying to decide if I should purge and sell my home I've been in 18 years. To say my head is spinning is an understatement. I don't know .... have you heard about ICD-10? LOL Only just now because I just googled it! Yes. Overwhelmed. |
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Post by blarneygirl on May 15, 2015 10:56:47 GMT
i started my aa in billing and coding a year in we were notified it will no longer be an online program through the state colleges. i am over 200 miles from the school. changed schools and programs. Sent from my NX008HD8G using proboards Oh, crud. After investment of time and money! What did you change to? |
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Post by MorellisCupcake on May 16, 2015 19:02:55 GMT
Here's my experience with coding..
I had my CPC-A but could not get a job for anything. I ended up not keeping up with my CEUs (in a "what's the point" attitude snit) and lost it. I started working in the hospital system in Charlotte and over time got to know people.. and ended up being a charge auditor at a family practice where I worked closely with the coders. When they found out I knew how to do it, they said, get your certification back! We can get you in. There is a need there.
But, I moved. So now in my current job I went down to talk to the coding manager for our department who told me what to study to get it back. I can borrow their coding books and go write the exam. And if a job comes up, she'll let me know. Start in billing, move up to coding.
So I've sort of learned.. you have to know somebody. I'm considering getting it back just in case an opportunity falls in my lap again.
And my opinion is, it's almost impossible to get a job without an "in" or experience. This is the money area, it's not easy to just walk into a job.
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Post by blarneygirl on May 16, 2015 21:52:21 GMT
Here's my experience with coding.. I had my CPC-A but could not get a job for anything. I ended up not keeping up with my CEUs (in a "what's the point" attitude snit) and lost it. I started working in the hospital system in Charlotte and over time got to know people.. and ended up being a charge auditor at a family practice where I worked closely with the coders. When they found out I knew how to do it, they said, get your certification back! We can get you in. There is a need there. But, I moved. So now in my current job I went down to talk to the coding manager for our department who told me what to study to get it back. I can borrow their coding books and go write the exam. And if a job comes up, she'll let me know. Start in billing, move up to coding. So I've sort of learned.. you have to know somebody. I'm considering getting it back just in case an opportunity falls in my lap again. And my opinion is, it's almost impossible to get a job without an "in" or experience. This is the money area, it's not easy to just walk into a job. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I spent quite a while reading the links and sites shared with me, and that was the feeling I was getting. That I may need an in somewhere and this is not something I'm going to magically be able to do from home after I'm certified. Which I sort of knew, because nothing is quite that easy.  |
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sarahruby
Full Member
Posts: 299
Jul 1, 2014 0:40:17 GMT
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Post by sarahruby on May 19, 2015 22:40:50 GMT
I just replied to your email - sorry it took me a few days! Don't know how I missed the email message alert
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