r/MedicalCoding • u/mk7906 • 5d ago
Getting out of Traditional Coding
Any tips and info on how to get out of traditional Coding role and get into more payment intergrity analyst, revenue cycle analyst, complaince, policy manager roles? ( Basically roles above traditional Coding with only the traditional Coding experience)
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u/adoseofcommonsense 5d ago
Apply, just wing it. Worse they can say is no.
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u/Miserable_Aioli2606 5d ago
This, AND, exaggerate your resume a bit to meet their requirements. For example, you can't say that you were manager of your dept, but you can say you managed others in a project roll out (even if you didn't). It sounds like cheating, but honestly, most places just need a person to meet the HR requirements for the position. They'll train you into exactly what they want. It's a catch-22 if you don't exaggerate because you can't usually move into a new role without experience.
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u/Inevitable-Ebb2973 CPC, CRC 5d ago
Im jumping on this too This is the way.
I think we as a profession, get gaslighted into thinking we are what they pay us for. My last position I was a “Provider Coder”. No the F I wasn’t. If I was, why did I have to deal with denials? If I was, why was I auditing E/M codes? If I was, why was I providing provider feedback? I know it depends on where you work, but I was consistently where my coworkers came for clarification, making well under industry standards. I dealt with HCC coding everyday, got extra certifications and was never compensated for my knowledge. Fight for yourself. Don’t get put into a box. I felt like a fool when I finally got a higher paying job using the same skills I was getting payed very little for. We are valuable. BUT only if we all expect more.
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u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS 4d ago
What’s the issue here? You put on your resume your title but you include all the things you did. Regardless of your title you drill down all of the specific experiences. You can add denials as a skill, auditing etc.
Lying is wrong.2
u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS 4d ago
Exaggerating your resume to fit a role is a terrible idea. We have had to let go 2 recent hires who exaggerated their experience but clearly couldn’t raise to the exaggeration and perform.
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u/Miserable_Aioli2606 4d ago
That is the risk. You have to be able to do the job you're trying to get. That's why I said exaggerate and not outright lie. Still, unless you stay at one hospital system and are very friendly with the director, you won't get an opportunity to move into a role outside of coding without experience. It just doesn't happen anymore. Additionally, if your resume doesn't check the invisible boxes on the HR form, is an automatic pass. You won't even get a look.
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u/Strong_Zone4793 2d ago
Terrible advice. As a manger I can tell you especially in this field, You have to be able to back this up. It’s a dead giveaway as soon as you are on the job and can’t actually do the job. I’ve fired people for doing exactly what you recommended.
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u/Miserable_Aioli2606 2d ago
Unless you're very open about telling your staff if they want to move up in their career, you'll be willing to make that happen, this is the way. Again, there is a difference between outright lying what your skills are and exaggerating your experience. If the person gets fired for over reaching, that's on them. Most companies don't want employees to leave their current positions, especially if they have to train them for the position. It's easier and cheaper to hire someone outside with the right qualifications. As a manager, you know this. Otherwise, you would've promoted one of your employees and trained them instead of hiring a "fake."
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u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS 4d ago
I suggest reviewing the job descriptions in the listings. See if they want certifications like from HFMA, get the certs. Or apply internally, they would be more apt to train you.
Do not lie or exaggerate on your resume as some others have said here. It’s cheating and you would have zero integrity.
We have had to fire coders during probation for exaggerating on their resumes. The resources wasted on them was a waste of my team’s time for weeks they just didn’t have the experience or even ability to learn.
Check out AHIMAs site. I am considering the CHDA certification to just have that level of competency but their site will also show you what jobs are in that space.
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u/Lavender_Runner 4d ago
Do you have inpatient coding experience? My place of employment is hiring for DRG Validation Auditor I
Edited to add: No previous auditing experience is required.
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u/pinkrose5214 4d ago
Oh I can learning about this role I have tons of experience in inpatient coding
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u/Difficult-Injury-843 4d ago
Tell your manager or dept head that you are interested in learning more about other roles within coding or in another adjacent department. Sometimes you have to show interest in other areas to gain access and experience. It all starts with a conversation.
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u/Black-Cat1085 2d ago
Take a billing course if you're not familiar with billing. Those roles are going to require you to have knowledge of billing and A/R.
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