I just got my cpc or CPC-A......now what?

1. I just got my cpcor CPC-A......now what? By: Johnna Floyd, CPMA, CPCO, CPC, CPC-P

2. Agenda • Introduction • Coding school misconceptions • Biller vs coder • CPC tree • Do I or don’t I get additional credentials??? • Networking the right way/resources • Resume & professional interview attire • conclusion

3. My journey • Medical office management (old school billing & coding program) • Cross-training – learn every job in the office you possibly can • Glass ceiling – no more to learn? Then move on to where you can expand your brain and your skill set • Look to the coding tree for more opportunities • Do not let fear of the unknown stop you from becoming who you are meant to be

4. Coding school misconceptions • 1. you will make $50,000 a year to start • 2. you can work from home in your pajamas right out of school • 3. you can start your own billing company right out of school • 4. you can work remotely at your own pace and schedule • 5. a coding certificate and a cpc is all you need in education • 6. a cpc-a guarantees you a job and top salary in the coding field

5. Billing vs coding • Medical billing and medical coding are two different careers that can and do overlap in certain working environments Medical billing • Charge entry • Payment entry and deposits • a/r management • Patient billing • Edi – billing transmissions, reviews, edits • Patient statements and phone calls • Misc. Medical coding • Coding charts per job specifications – E/M, specialty, surgery, Neurology, Emergency medicine, etc. • Coding by payer specifications – Medicare (A, B, C), Medicaid, auto, work comp, Commercial, etc. • Hedis

6. CPC-A tree • Positives • I HAVE TAKEN AND PASSED THE CPC!!!!!! • I HAVE OPTIONS • I HAVE THE AAPC • I HAVE MY LOCAL CHAPTER • I HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO SUCCEED Negatives • Need experience to remove the “A” • Not many places will hire coders with an “A” • What I was told in coding school about jobs in my field are not coming true

7. CPC tree • TENACITY • PERSEVERANCE • INIATIVE • STRENGTH • MOTIVATION • RESPECT • COURAGE • FLEXIBILITY • PATIENCE

8. additional credentials??? • A cpc is the perfect starting point for your coding career but you may find that other areas interest you or may help you in your current position as time goes on • Cpc-p and/or cpc-h • Cppm – certified professional practice manager • Cpb – certified professional biller • Cpma – certified professional medical auditor • Cpco – certified professional compliance officer • Any or all specialty credential

9. networking • Use social media the right way • Always remain ppr – polite, professional and respectful on any social media site • Obtain a professional email address • Incorrect – perfectlyplump@ymail.com, studmuffin@gmail.com, headbangersrus@yahoo.com • Correct – jsfloyd72@gmail.com, jsmithcpc@ymail.com, Lindasmithcoder@yahoo.com • Attend as many chapter meetings as possible and talk to people you don’t know • Read the aapc magazine that comes every month – valuable information regarding companies that are hiring • Attend conferences – talk to everyone!!!!!!! Make business cards to exchange and sign up for every website that interests you • Attend free coding/billing seminars offered by hospitals, Medicaid, cms, etc. – talkto people - pass out your business cards. • Attend health fairs offered by hospitals and/or large medical practices – talk to people – leave a really good impression

10. Resume & professional interview attire • Use a professional resume format • Do not use big words unless you know what they mean • No strange fonts, do NOT bold everything, verify that all contact info is accurate • Summarize what you did at each job – if you worked at publix balancing money and customer service then make sure to emphasize that – both skills are important • Professional attire • If you would wear it to a club or on a date – change • no bright colors, no extensive makeup, not 6 inch stiletto heels, clean shaven, take a shower, low key jewelry, small purse – you are selling yourself so do not distract the interviewer in a negative way!!!! • Other reminders • Cell phone Off or left in car • Do not bring anyone with you to the interview • Try not to ramble – be concise and clear in your answers and take notes • Have a list of questions prepared beforehand and check them off as the interviewer answers them • Present a firm handshake, look the interviewer directly in to the interviewers eyes and smile!!!!!!!!!!!! • Sit up straight and pay attention

11. conclusion HAVING A CPC-A IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD – DO NOT GIVE UP LIST ALL OF YOUR SKILLS ON YOUR RESUME EVEN IF THEY ARE IN A DIFFERENT CAREER FIELD LOOK TO THE CODING TREE WHEN YOU NEED A CHANGE LOOK TO YOUR LOCAL CHAPTER FOR ADVICE NEVER STOP LEARNING!!!!!!!!!! Invest in yourself because the rewards can be endless