u/metagaming1

Hello,

I’m a medical biller and have been in my position for roughly 5 years. I’m not certified as a coder but as part of my role I am expected to understand some coding and be able to apply it if our department head (the coder) is out. Currently I’m in mental health and don’t have experience with other kinds of coding. I have experience with AR, collections, RCM, insurance denials/claim appeals, credentialing. Unofficially I’m also the medical records custodian.

My issue is this - most roles with similar requirements in my area pay about the same as what I’m already making (25/hr) and I’m in a HCOL area. The practice I work for got bought out by a PE firm about 2 years ago and there’s been a pretty steady decline in expectations for quality work and a lot more chaos since that happened. The chances for “growth” we were told would present themselves after acquisition are non existent and my own attempts to negotiate higher pay or role expansion (with compensation - cos believe me, they’ve given me plenty of new hats to wear) have been ignored.

Naturally, I want another job. I don’t see a lot of growth potential just moving to the same position at another practice. I’m not willing to take a pay cut to start over somewhere else due to how tight the financial situation is in the current climate. If I leave, better pay and good benefits are basically a requirement.

What sort of roles have those of you who started in just billing moved to? Is it worth paying to get certified as a coder? My understanding is that it’s very hard these days to get hired as a coder. I technically do code at my current job and could count it as experience towards, but I’d still be missing out on the bulk of coding experience required to work at a hospital or something similar. Should I focus on RCM? I am not a CPA either, I don’t even have a degree that would be relevant (Spanish language).

Any insight or experiences you can share are greatly appreciated. 🙂

IMPORTANT CONTEXT: I am FTM. This affects my care as I do not have estrogen in my system and will not be supplementing it aside from E cream on occasion. If you’re someone on testosterone/non cis AFAB and have experiences similar I would really appreciate that the most, but I am ofc open to input from anyone. I know most folks in this sub are cis females.

Last summer in late May i had an abnormal pap (HPV+). I went thru a colpo at my dr’s request and we determined i have CIN2. She initially proposed a LEEP but after some discussion we elected to skip to a hysterectomy as I am required to have one for bottom surgery. Hysto was laproscopic, cervix fully removed with one ovary left as a contingency plan if SHTF in the US for gender affirming care. No complications, perfect healing - per my surgeon. Tissue was examined and determined to be CIN2/3.

Late May this year I did my first vaginal pap. Unfortunately for me this hell is not yet over and it is still returning w abnormal result (LSIL/CIN1) and I have to get yet another colposcopy.

My questions are as follows.

How common is it to continue to test positive for HPV year(s) after initial positive result?

I have not had receptive vaginal intercourse in nearly a year - i am in a relationship with a cis man but he prefers to be the receiver. I get head but that’s as far as we go for touching my junk. He and I are both vaccinated as well.

If you’ve had to go thru a colposcopy and don’t have your cervix, what are the next steps if your results are unfavorable? There is no cervix left to get cervical cancer but presumably they have to do SOMETHING if you’re showing precancerous cells in the vaginal canal. Can a LEEP still take place if there is no cervix?

Thanks in advance everyone.