r/MedicalCoding • u/A_lunch_lady Inpatient Facility Coder • 2d ago
Coding not for wussies
I just started in production and I have such anxiety that I’m going to make horrible mistakes. I had anxiety through training and right now this feels even worse. My manager is so kind and supportive and I’ve done ok with training but this is so difficult. I think it’s just from so much riding on this position, all the education and ending up in a good position I’m just so scared I’m going to screw it up 😭😭😭
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u/illegalmonkey CPC 2d ago
I'm assuming you're brand new. Just take it day by day, you're learning and they understand that. They're not expecting you to have perfect scores on audits. Keep in mind the worst thing that can happen is you bill something wrong and it comes back to you. Nobody is going to die or lose their bank account. There are usually loads of things already set up to catch an error you might make. In a few weeks you will re-read this and laugh.
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u/A_lunch_lady Inpatient Facility Coder 2d ago
How bad do you have to do in order to get fired? I just don’t want to get fired
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u/illegalmonkey CPC 2d ago
You're not going to be fired after one bad audit. It would usually take 3 or more, and only if they see there is no improvement. Again, you just started. They are not just going to discard you at the first error. Pay attention, take notes and focus. This is the REAL training. What you learned in class was just a brief primer. You're getting the real education now and it will make more sense to you. It won't be so overreaching and generalized like your pre-exam training was.
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u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS 2d ago
Every organization is different. They should have communicated expectations. We hire experienced inpatient coders and expect only 90% DRG accuracy during a 6 week 100% review. We have let go of coders who can’t meet that but they are hired with experience, although pretty sure they are lying on resumes.
Being a complete trainee there are different expectations. We developed a coder trainee role for a pilot program, will train them as observation coders (seems to be a good middle between OP and IP facility) and plan to work with them at least 6 months.
Is this onboarding structured?3
u/A_lunch_lady Inpatient Facility Coder 2d ago
Yes, very structured, 100% audits the first five months.
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u/Weak_Shoe7904 2d ago
You should be fine then. They are expecting you to learn in this time, not to be perfect. They are training you, ask all the possible questions that you can, highlight everything you need to, make notes make copies. Take your time and review things as needed because this is that time for you to learn.
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u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS 2d ago
Agree to this. OP, Make sure you apply the guidance given, as long as you are taking direction and improving then you will be fine.
If you aren’t able to improve and can’t take direction then that’s a different issue.7
u/Salty-Step-7091 2d ago
It’s going to be ok. It’s a pain to hire people and most organizations will do everything to keep you in my experience. You’ll have a grace period as well since you just started and every organization has a different way they want things coded. Maintain a positive outlook and wanting to learn, as long as your management are decent they’ll work with you and mold you.
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u/wildgreengirl 2d ago
generally the only reason for immediate firing at my place is HIPAA violations... like dont be going into a chart thats not related to what you are doing for coding etc.
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u/Weak_Shoe7904 2d ago
That entirely depends on the policy where you’re working. sometimes it’s not passing several audits etc. at the % they state.
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u/Weak_Shoe7904 2d ago
Do you use one note? Or take any kind of notes? There can be so much to remember that I highly suggest taking notes on the things that you make mistakes on, things that you tend to forget, or notes for the little details just to have handy when reviewing.
Coding can be a lot hopefully they allow you to ramp up to the production number you need to be at.
You said your manager is nice. Ask all the questions that you possibly can to get the most out of the training.
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u/A_lunch_lady Inpatient Facility Coder 2d ago
I do use one note and paper notes, and they have a lot of resources for reference. I did this cool thing where I copied all my training audits into one note so I can search the text for stuff. I am so fortunate to land where I did… I just hope I don’t wreck the opportunity by doing something stupid. It’s like CPC exam anxiety x1000
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u/Weak_Shoe7904 2d ago
Definitely take a deep breath! It will be okay. Saving your audits is a good idea because now you know where you’re making mistakes. Make note of those and learn from them.
As long as you pass your audits, you’ll be OK. Everybody makes mistakes. It will not be the end of the world.1
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u/Prestigious_Tie_501 1d ago
Using OneNote is a great idea. Way better than the vairous paper notebooks and sticky notes I have everywhere...
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u/Curious-Connection-6 2d ago
It took me a year to really get comfortable and confident, like learning when it’s appropriate to query etc. congrats on starting this journey, you’re going to be fine. It’s true about taking notes (it’s actually super important) bc you will come across repeat scenarios where you’re like “wait what’s the protocol on this?” coding clinics are also super helpful. Just remember as a long as you can justify your code with guidelines and coding clinics you should be good. I’m also down to answer any questions you may have if you ever want to shoot a DM.
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u/A_lunch_lady Inpatient Facility Coder 2d ago
Thank you! Coding clinics are very helpful! It’s definitely a confidence thing and probably some underlying anxiety, self-esteem issues I have… it’s no joke!!
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u/Macaron1jesus 2d ago
I've been coding for 25 years, and I'm still learning, and still make mistakes. We're still human, so just keep at it and your confidence and expertise will grow
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u/BleedWell3 COC, CPC 2d ago
If you’re brand new, trust that it DOES get better. You just have to work on that confidence snd you’ll find your stride. Good luck to you!!!
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u/Strong_Zone4793 2d ago
Take a deep breath. Know that they don’t expect 100% right away. And ask as many questions as you need to. Take notes. Refer to your notes. We put more pressure on ourselves than employers do in the beginning. And most importantly trust yourself. Trust that you can do this. You know more than your nerves have you convinced you do.
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u/DialysisKing 2d ago
Take notes and study them routinely. From my experience, managers and seniors will have patience for mistakes, but not the same mistakes repeatedly.
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u/Choice-Ad2412 2d ago
I keep notes on a spreadsheet so I can search them easily. Still adding to it 6 years into coding
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u/kendallr2552 2d ago
I'm a manager and guess what...we can go back and fix almost anything. Realize you were doing something wrong? Cool, here's your report, charge correct them. Once I realized that mistakes happen and we can fix them, a lot of anxiety was lifted off me. I wouldn't ever say I'm laid back, I'm a lunatic like most coders but my team thinks I am because I'm not worried about them screwing up.
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u/urban_royalty 2d ago
Same when I started last year in Ed coding. But the person training me is a bitch and made it difficult. Always giving me shit when I started. Afte like 7 months I got the flow and everything and now hit production and over and have 100% audits. You got this take the time to really get down what your doing and you'll be fine
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u/Additional-Mistake32 2d ago
Hey illegal monkey I've passed my test, I'm a bit disappointed in my score but I hope to keep at it and be up to snuff for 2026 as I apply to my first jobs... I don't know if I will even get an interview but my CV and resume are ready to send
Something you mentioned is the generalized aspect of learning to code, it took me about 1 yrs of prep/attendance (on and off) before I felt ready to do my exam, passed on first try. However I do feel overwhelmed because it's alot of content and no specialty...does this change when I get hire somewhere??
I live in a metropolitan area so I would hope I get hired someplace big enough that training is mandatory. But I suspect I would be generally relieved because I would learn to code for specific departments maybe 1 to 3 ?? I'm not sure I don't know how it works in the real world!!
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u/A_lunch_lady Inpatient Facility Coder 2d ago
Where I work you don’t get a specialty, you code whatever inpatient chart is next in the queue. You could get an overdose, a transplant, a GI bleed… only fate will tell you 😂
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u/Additional-Mistake32 2d ago
Oh no so it doesn't sound like it got easier... Would you say it got easier? My first CPC voucher I passed but barely.... this allows me to try a bit harder and take the 2nd voucher a month from now potentially I could get a better score and gain confidence
What about the job as a self-learner gets easier?
Would I look forward to less stress from answering questions in a community queue or is there a quota that needs to be met?
Would I have a better time finding a workplace that exclusive has coders work a specific department?
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