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One of the reasons I wanted to learn to code was because it was being said  that with the implementation of ICD-10 there would be an increased demand for coders as it would take longer for the current coders to get their coding done, because of the huge increase in the number of codes. So I was all about being qualified for these new jobs that would become available...

I thought I would share what is happening at the hospital where I work currently as a MT.  We are a very small hospital, with one inpatient coder, one outpatient coder, and one clinic coder (not much hope that I will be able to get a job here after I graduate). None of the coders have any certification, all have been here for many, many years. They are GOOD coders.

The outpatient coder and clinic coder received only a few hours of training for ICD-10.  The inpatient coder received three days of training.  The ICD-10 computer software programs are still not working correctly but are usable.

And yes, its been a rough road for the coders.  The inpatient coder told me she is doing less then half the amount of charts she was doing before. I think its partly because she had codes memorized from ICD-9 and of course now its all new to her. The outpatient coder told me every chart she does ends up "flagged that its missing something" and she doesn't know if she is doing something wrong or if the equipment  is messing up. She also said she was doing less then half her usual amount of charts.

So, the reason for my sharing this information is that even taking into account their poor training and equipment issues, it does look like ICD-10 has really slowed them down. I told them that was good news for me.. they threw me out of their office.. Jk.

I think those extra jobs are definitely going to be out there for us. Companies are going to need WELL TRAINED CODERS. That is good news for all us students.