This article by Mark Heidelberger, Demand Media documents LOTS of information for nurses considering
starting down the RN-Coder career path.
The only thing to add: Salaries for Certified RN-Coders cannot be compared to salaries for "certified coders." The salaries for those nurses holding the CRN-C credential is what ever the RN wages are for their area + about a 20% "bump" for the coding certification. Many Certified RN-Coders also work for insurers which generally pay more for the credential.
AND remember 3 important things about coding certification:
1. Certification of ANYONE working with any aspect of coding is mandated by the various Compliance Program Guidance documents published in the Federal Register -- and the government never said WHO or WHICH AGENCY
may test and certify coders.
2. Coding certification credentials are by type of employer: hospital, medical group, payer, government agency. Which means a particular employer may specify a specific coding credential for a specific position.
3. The American Association of Clinical Coders & Auditors, founded in 2003 by a group of Masters-prepared nurses, 2 physicians and a Physician Assistant-Certified, was founded to meet the management and supervisoral needs of clinical personnel involved in coding compliance, revenue management, and payer/provider contract negotiations. AACCA remains the only organziation testing and certifying nurses and clinical personnel in these important areas in healthcare.
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| Go to www.AACCA.net for Membership Info |
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