A Career in Coding?

Question: I have been thinking about getting a certificate in medical billing and coding so that I can stay in the field and possibly work from home at least part time. I have already been in touch with some schools that offer the courses and help with the certification preparation. Have you ever heard of a doctor doing this? Do you think a hospital or doctors group may consider hiring me for coding and billing?

Answer: What a nice idea.

I do think you’d be hirable. You might even be able to leverage your MD to do more than just coding.

I know a physician who got his credential and lectures locally and nationally to other physicians in his specialty on coding. He’ll also do audits for fellow physicians.

Physicians like to learn coding from other physicians because fellow physicians understand the complexity of actual cases, not just the strict coding rules. And they just plain respect them more than they would any old coder.

Getting hands-on through chart audits would keep you “real.” Your knowledge needs to be street smart, not just book smart.