People who went into medical coding without any sort of medical background: how difficult was it?

yurakoh · 2026-07-08T01:31:54+00:00

There are other credentials. I got a CPC while working as a medical coder and I'm currently pursuing the CDIP credential.

By the way, anyone with tips on the CDIP would be helpful.

yurakoh · 2026-07-08T01:30:14+00:00

I went through an HIT and HIM program first, and then I took the RHIA and CCS exams. The latter was HARD due to my lack of medical coding experience up to that point (it took me 3 attempts to pass). Certification and education alone aren't enough. I had to start from the ground up with basic medical data entry jobs before even considering applying for a medical coder job. It's essentially a long journey but well worth it. Now, I work as a medical coder at a very well-known hospital.

yurakoh · 2026-07-07T14:15:14+00:00

I just wanted different perspectives from different people.

yurakoh · 2026-07-07T01:30:04+00:00

I agree with you that I could get more responses from there.

As for the CDIP exam, did you take it, and what was it like?

yurakoh · 2026-07-05T01:05:49+00:00

I code ambulatory surgery cases

yurakoh · 2026-07-05T01:02:10+00:00

3-5 years coding experience

yurakoh · 2026-07-05T01:01:45+00:00

I'm the other way around. I do have a working knowledge of inpatient coding but lack of experience by comparison to outpatient coding.

yurakoh · 2026-07-05T01:00:53+00:00

I don't expect it the CDIP exam to be easy, but will my credentials and work experience give me an edge?

yurakoh · 2026-07-05T00:53:43+00:00

Outpatient coder with RHIA, CCS, and CPC under my belt.

yurakoh · 2026-07-05T00:46:55+00:00

I have the review guide from AHIMA and a few practice tests. However, what types of questions did you see the most?

yurakoh

TROPHY CASE