New medical biller in need of help

[Danni R.]

I lived in germany from 1975 to 1978, so I know all about what Danni says.  Me?  Im finished with my apprentiship as a screw-up and am now a master (at least that is what my wife says) 

ha ha ha ha...

Goes to show that there is somebody for everyone. Apparently you did something right.

[Steve Verno]

I lived in germany from 1975 to 1978, so I know all about what Danni says.  Me?  Im finished with my apprentiship as a screw-up and am now a master (at least that is what my wife says) 

[Danni R.]

While I don't have an answer or any specific advice that directly addresses your questions, allow me to add some words of wisdom:

Perhaps you need to start at the beginning. What I like about apprenticeship programs is that you basically start at the very bottom and then go up. In Germany, where I am from, learning a trade or skill usually takes place via apprenticeship. Apprenticeship upon graduation from High School is very common in Europe, unless you are accepted into a University, then likely you are becoming a scientist or physician.

The apprentice receives a modest wage while learning. It starts with just the simplest things, such as, if for example, you are on your way to become a cook, with washing dishes and learning where the forks, knives and spoons belong in the kitchen. Once you got that, you might be allowed to use a spoon to stir a pot. Once you know how to keep the gravy from burning you might be shown how chop the onions with the proper knife to learn how to chop and actually make a gravy. All this while you must also attend vocational training classes. As you learn, you grow. It usually takes 3 years and ends with a practicum and final exams to earn your cook's  hat and apron.

Now I understand that here in the United States things are a bit different. Your coding and billing training likely took place only in the classroom, perhaps ending with a practicum or externship. However, it is my FIRM belief that learning does not end here. You were merely given the tools.

Perhaps you needed a decent paying job to pay your rent, or support yourself, however, now you are in it you find yourself in over your head. Something is missing. Perhaps you need to go back a few steps and rather than looking for which job pays the most, look for where do I have the best chances for MENTORSHIP. I believe that your best bet is to seek work in an entry level position under the watchful eye and guidance of a senior biller, or with colleagues around who know the ropes, perhaps in a larger office, a clinic, or hospital. As Steve said, use your coding books and learn how to look at the modifiers to solidify your knowledge. Do this for a year or two and you will come out "peachy" and smelling like roses. Good luck and best wishes.

[Steve Verno]

Here's my mental dilema,  If you passed your coding and billing training AND  you passed your AAPC certification test and you are a certified coder, then you should be able to know when to use the proper modifier.  The answer is simple, Use your coding book, look at the modifiers and they will tell you when each one is to be used.  You never stop using your coding books when your training ends.  The medicare modifier descriptions do the same thing. 

I dont know what you mean by 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.  if this is entering codes in priority, this is part of your training and certification.  Data entry is an additional means of advancing your learning.  If you are having problems with just entering the codes selected, you arent ready to code solo.  Repitition is the best learning tool.  YOU have a job, stick with it and learn as you do your job.  Put your "training" and "certification" to work for you. 

[Timmaugh]

I graduated a medical billing and coding course in March of this year, and then passed the AAPC CPC exam in April.  Since then, I have been working for a small medical billing company for the past month and just recently I find myself struggling to do the simplest tasks.  What I do is enter new podiatry patients into the system (California Medical Systems) enter diagnosis, and then enter the procedure codes.  The problems that I'm having are not knowing when to put a Modifier 25, 50, 51, 59, and 79 on codes, when to enter Medicare modifiers, and when to enter Cal Optima modifiers.  My question is how do I not just go through the motions of data entry and actually learn what I'm doing full circle.  Any and all suggestions are welcome. (exam. books, websites, etc.)  Also, when trying to learn all this information, what should I focus on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.  I've been told that in order to be a good coder you have to be a biller first.  If you don't feel that this theory is true, let me know.  Also, if you know of the more simple coding jobs that are relatively simple to code and yet pay decently, I would appreciate all your thoughts on this as well.





I thank you in advance for all your advice and assistance with my dilemma,

Tim