I just wanted to post a note here for all the current students who may be feeling a bit overwhelmed by all that is expected during the Andrews coding course.
At this time last year, I was working on Module 4. After finishing Module 3 and passing the CPC, I thought “the rest of this course is going to be a piece of cake!” But it wasn’t. It was difficult. Just like the rest of the Andrews coding curriculum. And there were plenty of times that I thought, “How am I ever going to finish this section?” or “I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing!” or “Really?!? I correctly coded diagnoses V, W, X, Y, and Z, AND I LOST POINTS ON THE EXTERNAL CAUSE CODE!!!” We have all been there, and it can be discouraging. But keep calm and code on. It only gets better!
This year I am working as a remote coder, and I love it! The Andrews course prepared me SO WELL that I am able to work remotely, even though this is my very first coding position.
I don’t have co-workers next to me who can answer my questions, so I have to research, read (and re-read) guidelines, and figure things out for myself. And that is the way I coded in school, so I am up for the challenge! I have a supervisor who I can e-mail at any time if I have questions, which is the same way I learned from my instructors. And I am SO grateful that the Andrews course taught me how to “defend” my codes. If I disagree with an audit, I know how to “speak up” and explain why I chose specific codes.
So thank you Linda, Glenda, Instructor Peggy, Instructor Sue, Instructor Emily, Instructor Debby, Instructor Adrienne, and all the instructors and staff who make Andrews a great place to learn medical coding. You all do a great job, and thanks to you, we succeed!