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Hello, I'm just wondering how you guys learned to code and what the best resource to learn is.
It would be extremely helpful, thanks!
It would be extremely helpful, thanks!
What is the best resource to use to learn how to "code".
- Thread starter Robin-jay
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Like seeking advice on crypto...maybe go elsewhere for coding information that a podiatry forum.
There are coding workshops. If you can get access to those presentation it is a good start.
I mostly learned it on the job via other podiatrist who had more experience than me. It's something that keeps changing and you'll have to keep learning.
I mostly learned it on the job via other podiatrist who had more experience than me. It's something that keeps changing and you'll have to keep learning.
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While I am by no means a fan of the APMA, dues for first year in practice are dirt cheap and that gives you access to a bunch of foundational webinars on coding nailcare, e/m levels, and ulcers.
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You already know how to code.
You know the anatomy, the procedures, the keywords.
All you need to do is look up the codes you commonly use to find out what you do (clinic superbill, surgery codes, etc).
This is how any PP or RVU specialist does coding if they're smart. Some hospital FTEs just trust back-end billers to just auto-pilot it (esp if they are on straight salary and don't really care).
All you really need is ICD and CPT manuals... or a book or resource for finding them ("Coding Companion for Podiatry").
You want something other than just Googling everything.
I find the APMA Coding RC website useful... searchable. I think they do free trial.
It does help to have mentorship or meetings for tips from time to time, but it's just not very hard in a speciality that only uses a small fraction of the code books.
You know the anatomy, the procedures, the keywords.
All you need to do is look up the codes you commonly use to find out what you do (clinic superbill, surgery codes, etc).
This is how any PP or RVU specialist does coding if they're smart. Some hospital FTEs just trust back-end billers to just auto-pilot it (esp if they are on straight salary and don't really care).
All you really need is ICD and CPT manuals... or a book or resource for finding them ("Coding Companion for Podiatry").
You want something other than just Googling everything.
I find the APMA Coding RC website useful... searchable. I think they do free trial.
It does help to have mentorship or meetings for tips from time to time, but it's just not very hard in a speciality that only uses a small fraction of the code books.
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What if I don't mind working in a hospital in rural lands?
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Yah basic coding is not really hard to learn. Like it has been said, someone with very little education is often doing it many places.
Podiatry is a little different than other specialties with all of our modifiers and extensive rules on nails and diabetic foot care. Is is also a very procedure based speciality. The podiatry specific coding aspects will be learned quickly with experience.
A brand new practitioner will be overwhelmed thinking about what level E/M to charge.
A more seasoned practitioner may or may not be any better than the new associate as far as accurate E/M coding, but will be focusing much more on what pays well with the particular pathology and insurance plan as well as cash pay options available for each patient. It takes a while to get a feel for this and then suddenly it is obvious why treatment plans are the way the way they are for common pathologies at each individual private practice (different insurance mixes/disposable income levels, codes that pay well, different modalities owned by the practice, cash pay options, some have lucrative referrals, tolerance for risk of paybacks etc.).
RVU based hospital employed obviously think differently.
An unethical practitioner will blatantly change the pathology actually present to something that pays much more and also unbundle.
Podiatry is a little different than other specialties with all of our modifiers and extensive rules on nails and diabetic foot care. Is is also a very procedure based speciality. The podiatry specific coding aspects will be learned quickly with experience.
A brand new practitioner will be overwhelmed thinking about what level E/M to charge.
A more seasoned practitioner may or may not be any better than the new associate as far as accurate E/M coding, but will be focusing much more on what pays well with the particular pathology and insurance plan as well as cash pay options available for each patient. It takes a while to get a feel for this and then suddenly it is obvious why treatment plans are the way the way they are for common pathologies at each individual private practice (different insurance mixes/disposable income levels, codes that pay well, different modalities owned by the practice, cash pay options, some have lucrative referrals, tolerance for risk of paybacks etc.).
RVU based hospital employed obviously think differently.
An unethical practitioner will blatantly change the pathology actually present to something that pays much more and also unbundle.
