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

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:)

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?

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.

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?

I know there’s different opinions on this

For those who have been working in medical coding for a few years, I'm curious what your earliest hands-on experiences looked like. Looking back, which experiences actually helped you develop your coding skills, and which were less useful?

Would love to hear about the different paths people took and what they learned along the way.

Thanks

Like the title says, I recently moved to a new area and made an appointment to establish care with a new PCP. During the visit, I mentioned heart palpitations, as well as prolonged issues with athletes foot. Everything else was standard screenings, questions about family/medical history etc. A comprehensive blood panel was ordered including 9 separate tests.
Fast forward and I receive a bill from the provider $237 and a bill from the lab $1150. I called the insurance company and was informed that the provider billed 99204 as opposed to 99386 so neither the visit nor the labs would be covered.
Per the AMA, the provider should have billed the 99386 along with the 99204 with a modifier of 25. Is there some reason the provider would not do this? Is there some specific things I should say when I ask the provider to resubmit?

Hello, my institution in NM is billing H2015 for 4 units under 56 minutes. Is this correct, the guidelines are very vague and I’m having trouble locating information

Seems like experience is king in this field (just like every other damn field I’ve looked into). I don’t have any medical office or billing experience, which I understand will be a detriment to finding a job. Im sure I’m not the only one who started out this way.

Anybody have any tips?

(I’m sorry if this is toeing the line of the community rules)

How long do you allow older code books live on your shelves? I have my books clear back to 2017, I'm in a decluttering mood and wasn't sure if I should hold on to them or if a few of them could be recycled.

I am attempting to renew my AHIMA membership and CCS certification and my card is being declined. I tried three different cards, one of them my debit card that I have used just fine other places since trying and being denied by AHIMA. 3 years ago when I was attempting to sign up for the CCS exam I had the same problem and it literally took MONTHS to resolve. My certification expires in January so I don’t have several months for AHIMA to sit on their hands and pretend they can’t do anything to fix it. I am so exhausted with things just not working and with AHIMA specifically for being so incompetent, given that their website has been broken now for 3 years. My question is, has anyone been able to renew recently or had the same issues I’m running into resolved in a timely or simple manner? I’m tired y’all. Real tired.

I don't know if this is the right place to post but I'm trying to find out if my planned, scheduled ultrasound was appropriately coded as an emergency ultrasound. It did take place in a hospital setting if that matters. I seem to recall this happening once before and was just told that's how it's coded. But wouldn't coding something as an emergency procedure increase the cost?

I have been a risk adjustment coder for 14 years. Over the last 4.5 years I’ve been affected by RIFs at different employers. This week we found out our company has sold and merged with a new company. Layoffs start next month to early January depending if we are needed to stay “during the transition”. What always felt like a stable career no longer feels that way. Has anyone used their skills from coding to do something else?

Been contemplating for a while starting a little side hustle doing consulting, auditing, and education in the coding world, but uncertain as to where to start. I’ve been in this field for around 15 years now, but have always worked in-office. Hoping to connect with those who may have gone out on their own for some advice. I don’t expect all the answers to be given to me, as I know a lot will be trial and error, but still thought it might be good to connect and pick some brains.

If you could choose to take one long 16-24 week coding course or take shorter 4 week trainings that cover the same topics which would you choose? This is for inpatient coding.

Hi, I just got hired through a company called XBP that hires for Lexicode. Did anyone have any recent experience with them? If so, how'd you like them?

I have an in person position that pays significantly less and I'm worried cause I know remote positions aren't as secure. In the past I worked for a company and couldn't log in one day and after a couple days was informed the company let me go. I was hoping the position was a work any time deal, but this job is scheduled the same time as my in person job.

Not sure if this company is reliable, good at training, supportive, etc. Any information is greatly appreciated.

I’ve had 3 or 4 coding positions at this point and at every single one it seems like the work pretty much just sits in the queue until the person who is out returns to work. Is this just the setup in this industry?

hello all! i just recently landed my first coding job after obtaining my ccs!! the only coding background i have is completing a coding course at my college and that's pretty much it. it is an entry level position, but i'm terrified of messing up because it took months to find a job willing to hire someone without work experience and i really want to do my best 🥲 and the thought of that is stressing me out lol. just looking for advice/tools to use to brush up on my skills before i start next month - thank you all in advance!

Hi everyone,

I purchased my AAPC CPC exam package on November 30, 2025, and it included 2 exam attempts. I haven't used either attempt yet.

My understanding is that the exam voucher is valid for one year, so my vouchers are set to expire on November 30, 2026.

My AAPC membership also expires on November 30, 2026.

I'm confused about what I need to do:

1. If I renew my AAPC membership, will I still keep my 2 unused exam attempts?
2. Do I need to purchase a separate voucher extension?
3. If so, does one 90-day extension cover both attempts, or would I need to pay for two extensions?
4. Has anyone actually extended an unused CPC 2-attempt voucher recently?
5. Is there anything I need to do before November 30 to make sure I don't lose the attempts?

I'd really appreciate it if anyone who has gone through this could share their experience. Thanks!

Just wondering if I would need the coding books (ICD-10-PCS,CPT and ICD-10-CM) after I pass the CCS exam I’m kind of tight on budget right now so I’m thinking of selling my books after I pass the exam. Will I need the books if ever I get hired for an IP coding job?

When I passed my CPC exam 4 yrs ago, I sold my books too. When I got hired for an OP role, I didn’t really need the books coz at work we have all references uploaded in shared folders at work.

IP coders, did you need your books for your first IP coding job? Really want to sell mine even for half the price just so I can get some money back.. What’s your advice?

For some background, I’m a medical group and hospital auditor. I have 3 certifications and working through a 4th, and have 6 years experience. I’m not perfect, but I know my way around.

My boyfriend reaps some benefits from this since I explain bills to him, and have helped him with what to say when they’re wrong.

He recently got a bill for 99395 and 99214, but at full price. I said that’s on your insurance, and did explain why it may have been both, but I didn’t feel they met MDM for 99214.

He calls his primary care billing for an explanation, with me in the room. The person helping him read the encounter, and then proceeded to list all his long standing chronic conditions and that they “aren’t covered for wellness.”

“Condition X? Not well.
Condition Y? Not well.
Condition Z found in bloodwork? That doesn’t sound well.”

And yes those are the exact words she said. I was appalled! According to her, these ICD10 codes aren’t “healthy” so that’s why it was also an office visit. Aside from being incredibly judgmental- that’s not… how any of this works…

I just transferred from OP to IP coding at work. It’s only my first week, so I’m being trained on the job. Their method of training seems to be assigning me cases and then giving me their feedback. I feel like I’m learning on my own and they expect me to catch up. Is this standard practice?

Hey, guys. Obviously every place is a little different, but I figured I'd ask for some experience before I go back to school lol. So I have a felony possession and a petty theft from over 7 years ago. Many doors are closed, but not all doors. The misdemeanor theft has actually proven to be the biggest problem, ironically. In your experience, what do you guys think? Would I be able to find a job if I crush the exam and have a great score, etc

Hey guys!

This Friday I am interviewing for a pediatric coding job and I am really hoping I land this one! I do not have experience with pediatric coding and was just wondering for those who work in it or have had experience with it, what is it like compared to other specialities?

Thank you for any and all information!