I just wanted to shed some light on something. I’m not sure if this is the best topic for one of my first blog posts, but here it is anyway. The other day, the topic of off-shoring came up in a coding discussion. It is a sensitive subject and we can’t pull the wool over our eyes and pretend it’s not there. But I don’t want new coders to feel that they should avoid learning diagnostic radiology coding, thinking it would be a waste of time and abandon ship. The fact is that coding in ALL specialties can end up going off-shore. This is something that happens in any coding specialty and is not diagnostic radiology coding-specific. Say what you will, but this is something that most coders are well aware of, and I have never heard of that fact alone being the sole reason that someone does not pursue radiology coding.
Another thing to keep in mind too, is that coding needs to be audited. Not just radiology coding but all coding, no matter where it is coded originally. Usually the coding gets audited here in the USA. Now, I’m sure there are exceptions to this somewhere out there, but in my experience this has been the case. In order to audit it, you have to know how to code it first right? So if it is something you’re interested in, don’t miss the boat!
Another reason to learn diagnostic radiology coding is because it is a good account for new coders to get their feet wet. Why do they start with the radiology accounts? Because it is easier than starting with other types of coding, say brain surgeries, transplants etc. While it’s true that it is easier than some types of coding, it has it’s own set of rules, and is a specialty in and of itself. If you are a diagnostic radiology coder, not only will you become proficient in aspects of CPT coding, you will become familiar with all sections of the ICD-10-CM book. You use a full range of codes which is a very valuable skill set. Even if you decide not to stay in diagnostic radiology coding–these skills transfer over to other coding specialties.
So, to make a long story short, there are many different coding specialties, and unfortunately some coding does end up going offshore, in ALL specialties. But you would be doing yourself a disservice if you decide not to learn diagnostic radiology coding based on that alone. There are thousands of radiologists in this country and many of them see the benefits of having the coding of their practice stay in the US. Not only that, radiology coding lends itself to learning so many different aspects of CPT and ICD-10-CM coding and these skills are valuable for any coder to have.
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