Strategies to Re-enter Medical Coding after an Absence

Sometimes, medical coders step away from their jobs for various reasons.

“It’s mostly people raising their kids and then wanting to come back in,” says Annie Barnaby, CPC, CPCO, CRC, CDEO, owner of Project Resume, a company in Glen Allen, VA, that helps medical coders. Extended time away also occurs due to health problems, working for a health IT vendor, and other reasons, she adds.

But what do you do if you want to return to medical coding and other health information (HI)  positions?

Due to the ongoing medical coder shortage nationwide, HI and career experts say those who are thinking about re-entering the profession may be at an advantage.

Here are eight strategies you can use to get back into medical coding after a long absence.

1. Make sure this is what you want.

Depending on how long you’ve been out of the medical coding profession, a lot could have changed: The transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10, implementation of computer-assisted coding (CAC), the shift from fee-for-service to value-based care, for example.

“Your daily responsibilities may be different from what you remember,” says Sarah Ragan, COC, CPC, CPMA, CRC, CEMC, CFPC, a certified coder and owner of Caffeinated Career Creations, an Orlando, FA-based resume writing business. “Are you going to be okay with using CAC and AI [artificial intelligence]? With everyone working remotely these days, you also need to consider whether you can handle that. Will you be happy and self-motivated? Do you have a secure, quiet office where you can ensure privacy?”

AHIMA provides a comprehensive Career Map to help HI professionals explore various pathways in HI and medical coding. The map can be useful for those considering a transition into new coding specialties.

2. Think about what your re-entry will look like.

In what setting will you work? For example, maybe you previously worked as an inpatient coder and wish to move to the outpatient clinic setting or vice versa. Or maybe you worked in primary care but want to move into cardiology instead. Let your specific aspirations guide the next steps you take to re-enter the medical coding profession with purpose, says Ragan.

3. Perform a self-assessment.

Since you’ve been out of the coding profession for a while, do you know what knowledge gaps need to be filled? If you’re moving into a new area of coding, you may need a different credential. Or you may need to re-establish a previously existing one.

“Taking a practice exam or other type of formal assessment will help you identify areas of weakness,” says Faye Kelly, RHIT, CCS, education specialist at Libman Education, a Bedford, MA-based company specializing in online, on-demand, and custom revenue cycle training. “You’ve got to start somewhere, and you’ve got to start with education. Also remember that once you learn coding, it’s like riding a bike. You really don’t forget the fundamentals.”

4. Identify how you’ll finance your education. “Going back and getting an education can be costly, but it doesn’t need to be because you can tailor your education based on your needs,” says Kelly, adding that’s why the self-assessment is so critical.

Another idea is to accept an entry-level revenue cycle job (e.g., data entry, registration, or collections) so you can participate in bulk revenue cycle educational opportunities (webinars and audioconferences) and eventually leverage tuition reimbursement benefits to re-obtain medical coding certification, says Kelly.

In addition, tap into free educational opportunities, says Ragan. This includes free newsletters and webinars as well as free certification exam prep courses available on YouTube.

Barnaby agrees. “You’ll be exposed to information, which is what you need,” she adds.

Those looking for affordable ways to refresh their coding skills can explore free webinars, training programs, and microcredentials offered by AHIMA. Structured coding courses, which can be a valuable investment in re-entering the profession also are offered by AHIMA.

Another great tip? Many libraries participate in LinkedIn Learning for Library where you may be able to access LinkedIn courses on topics like Excel, Google Docs, instructional design, and more for free. For paid opportunities, look for educational companies that offer payment plans, adds Ragan.

5. Find a mentor. This person—ideally someone who already works in your desired medical coding role—can help guide you back into the profession, says Kelly.

Ragan agrees, adding that the ideal mentor is also someone who can be honest and straightforward about setting realistic expectations and what you’ll need to do to accomplish your goals.

The AHIMA M2M Connect Mentorship program lets HI professionals learn from seasoned leaders about various career pathways at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and business. Applications are now being taken through February 10 for this six-month, member-exclusive program.

6. Update your resume and LinkedIn profile. Be sure to include any coding courses you’ve taken, particularly if you’ve prepared for the credentialing exam on your own, says Barnaby.

Also include any higher education you’ve obtained as well as all current coding credentials. “Employers will be looking to see if you’ll be easy to train. That’s why it’s important to put everything on your resume,” she adds.

In terms of professional non-coding experience, Barnaby says it’s best to highlight transferable skills such as organizing workstations, making decisions independently, and providing high quality customer service. “All of this is needed in medical coding,” says Barnaby. “People so often sell themselves short. Even if you don’t have the exact experience an employer is looking for, go ahead and apply anyway. You lose nothing by doing that.”

7. Network with others. Inquire about job openings and requirements. Ask for referrals and be open to conversations. “Networking is equally as important as your education,” says Ragan.

8. Be prepared to address employment gaps during the interview. “People worry about this so much, but it’s actually less of a big deal than we think,” says Barnaby. “I’ve never seen a hiring manager ask, ‘Gee I wonder why they haven’t worked.’ They’re going to assume that life happens. People are not judging you. A hiring manager might ask about it, but just be honest. If they make a big deal out of it, you don’t want to work for that person.”

Ragan says HI professionals can avoid some of these questions by crafting a cover letter that briefly explains employment gaps but with a positive spin. “Having that cover letter can help bridge the gap and explain what you’ve done in an interesting way,” she adds.

Barnaby suggests using the following types of sentiments in the cover letter and during the interview:

• ‘I haven’t worked in 10 years, but I’m actively pursuing my education because I’m ready to come back.’
• ‘I know there have been a lot of changes in my absence, and I’m excited to learn about them.’
• ‘I never fell out of love with coding, I had to take some time off, and now I’m back.’

Steps To Keep Connected

If you anticipate being out of the profession for any significant length of time, experts agree it’s wise to take these three steps:

1. Keep lines of communication open with your current employer. This could make it easier to re-enter the field once the time is right.
2. Maintain your medical coding credentials. This shows employers that you’re serious about staying in the profession. AHIMA offers recertification guidance and various coding credentials such as CCA (Certified Coding Associate), CCS (Certified Coding Specialist), and CCS-P (Certified Coding Specialist – Physician-Based).
3. Stay connected within the industry. Read newsletters and attend virtual and in-person chapter meetings, when possible, to keep coding in the forefront of your mind.

While it may seem daunting to re-enter the profession after an absence, experts agree that it’s certainly attainable.

“You may need to do some work, but it’s not impossible,” says Kelly. “There’s nothing stopping you except yourself.”

Barnaby agrees. “The most important thing is to know yourself—why you got into coding and what you like about it. Being able to talk about this is so important. Use this as your springboard.”

Lisa A. Eramo, MA, is a freelance healthcare writer based in Cranston, RI.