200x200 ad block
Networking on forums is not as sexy as it used to be. With the current trend of social media (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) hanging out on forums isn't as interesting as it once was.Despite this however I still contend that it is one of the best ways to network with those people in your industry. With social media it is easy to get lost in long lists of friends and followers but with forums you can easily participate and meet your colleagues and future colleagues in an online environment.
What makes forum networking even more important is that you can quickly and easily become a voice that others trust and rely upon. In a way, joining a community online and commanding a topic in that forum will build trust and credibility to your name.
In the coding industry this trust, credibility, and industry knowledge can open many doors for you and your career.
What Forum Community Should You Join?
As a professional you simply don't have time in the day to spend hours on social media and become a trusted contributor to all the various forum communities so I advise choosing a single forum and sticking to that one community.By committing to one group you can easily dedicate time out of your day to make a name for yourself. By helping people in real time you build respect from others and you also experience and added benefit unique to the Internet age. Material you publish on a public forum will exist indefinitely. This means that the information you provide to others today can help others out months and years into the future.
When you participate in this manner your personal reach is extremely wide and opportunities will find you.
Below is a list of online coding communities. Choose one to participate in and make it an important part of your professional day.
MCCP's List Of Medical Coding Online Communities & Forums
- The AAPC Member Forums - These are forums for AAPC members only. Most coders are certified by the AAPC and are members but people looking to get into coding may not yet be members.
- The InDeed Medical Coder Jobs Forum - Mostly this forum is for medical coders seeking jobs but many job seekers are looking for answers to their questions. You can be a voice.
- The Billing-Coding Forums - These are general forums for billers and coders to discuss various aspects of the profession. If you are certified, working, or exploring this forum may be a place to start making a name for yourself.
**If you know of other forums and communities that should be on this list just drop a link to them in the comments section below.**
For those who have never participated in a forum community click through this link for some tips on how to make a name for yourself on a forum and use it as a means to advance your career.
336x280 ad block
----
Make sure to take a CPC certification practice exam before taking the real test. Practice tests will help you pass on your first try.
Click here to see the practice exams or to view the additional CPC exam study guides click here.
Click here for information on getting medical coding training, degrees, and/or certificates.
600x250 ad block