Dental Billing and Coding

[KozysMom]

Hi all! I took a medical coding course in 2010 and to date have not been able to land a position. Every employer in my area requests a minimum of 2 years "hands-on" experience. This has been extremely frustrating considering how much I spent to learn coding! So recently I discovered that there is a "DENTAL" billing and coding course offered through the American Dental Coders Association. It's about 1/4 of the cost and only 8 weeks! I'm enrolled to begin February 6th. I was told that if you already have the medical coding under your belt and you also take the dental, it's a huge benefit to doctors, like oral surgeons! Just a suggestion to look into if you are having a hard time finding a job, or an alternative to medical coding.

Here's a link to their site:

[Katharine]

Thanks for posting about this. I have been considering coding and billing;sounds like this would be a nice addition to that schooling.

[Hugteri]

You are absolutely right, the jobs that want a coder request that you have at least 6 months of training for coding. I have gone to college and got and associates degree in medical billing and coding and that still does not matter. I think that this may also be a job that is eventually going to go electronic. If you go to a doctors office most do not even use a paper file anymore they are all on the computer. So, billing and coding are already going to be combined as soon as the PCP puts in the diagnosis the code will be billed to the insurance. Look towards being a medical assistant they enter the information from the doctors office.

[FantasyBelles]

I don't understand how employers expect people to already have experience? Surely we have to start somewhere? Maybe there is a way of gaining experience in coding part-time for a charity or non-profit organisation that would be prepared to take on someone with no hands on experience?

[Nadine]

You are right. We have to start somewhere but I'm always amazed at the number of employers who want people already with experience.

[codergirl]

I took my 1st coding course in 2003-2004..the schools at the time were not pushing having to get certified...well long story short it's now 2012 and 2009-2010 I took another online coding program that did offer a cert BUT it wasn't through AAPC or AHIMA but their own certification which at the time I took because I was on unemplyment and couldn't afford the aapc or ahima coding exam price...well NOW I have become a member of the aapc and I have ordered my books because I WILL become a certified coder before 2012 is over.I have been after this as a career since 2003 and I WILL accomplish this finaly!!!
I love the medical field and this is a perfect fit for me and my personality.Currently I am working a customer service job that just makes me want to scream bloody murder and pull all my hair out BUT I'm doing it ONLY because the payout in the end will be huge.I will look into that dental info.
It is like a catch 22..how are you suppose to gain any experience when they will not HIRE you to GAIN that experience??!!
Well I got a call early this year from a lady that states that they have an internship program BUT you HAVE To be already certified through aapc...so now while I have the money to...I'm going full force and will let NOTHING or ANYONE get in my way.I wish you all the best in your endeavors.