Hello! I’ve been working for UHC/Optum for 5 years in a department that focuses mainly on risk adjustment coding. I’m not a coder but have some general knowledge just from my job experience. I’d really like to branch out and find a higher paying position and was thinking being certified might help with that. What would you all recommend me looking into? Thank you so much for your input:)

What is the training process like for an IP coder? Right now, they are starting me out with newborn accounts. From there, what steps are they going to take?

Can diagnoses from the ordering provider's chart note be used for the radiology claim if the chart note is attached to the radiology order?

My auditor stated that diagnosis information from the ordering physician's note(s) cannot be used on the radiology claim, and that we can only use what is on the literal order and in the radiologist's interpretation.

Does anyone have a reference to support/dispute this? I feel that in the current digital age, where the orders and notes are all digital and linked together, we should be able to use the ordering provider's note to clarify a diagnosis (i.e., location of pain when the order says "pain" or location of injury when the order says "MVA").

Unfortunately, I am unable to find an official AHA or CMS guideline either way. Any help would be very much appreciated!

p.s. I also posted in /r/CodingandBilling, so not a dupe if you are subbed to both places, I just can't crosspost.

Does anyone do this? Is it even possible to attach a file to the electronic claim submission?

I code neurosurgery, and the insurance wants records more often than not. Between co surgeries, unlisted codes, and just the amount of codes that are bundled unless -59 is used (which I feel like the insurances don’t even acknowledge), the vast majority get held up for this.

It would be so much more efficient to send the records immediately in certain circumstances. Does anyone have experience with doing this?

Hi!

I recently obtained my CCA and have applied for many jobs. I did an interview for a company and they ended up wanting to hire me on, however the hours were too few for me to take on and still be able to stay financially afloat…I wish I would have taken that job and made it work though, because they were going to train me as a new coder from the ground up, and the entire revenue cycle team was so nice and helpful and I am having major regrets from not taking this job.

When I apply for any other coding positions, I receive rejection after rejection email, because I don’t have any experience other than school experience, and obtaining the CCA certification. I’m not sure how to get experience though if I’m not able to get hired on in the coding field.

Are there any entry level positions that a new coder can be hired onto and trained into? I’m really struggling to find anything that is entry level in my job search. I am sure companies would rather hire someone on that already knows what they are doing and has experience versus training someone who is completely new, and I understand that-it’s just a bummer to try and get into the field and learn without being able to have an opportunity to learn the ropes. If anyone has any advice at all, I would greatly appreciate it! Sorry if this is a dumb question or post or not the right type of question to ask in this forum. Thank you