Health Information Careers Author Profile

Kristi Stanton

I am a self-confessed super-coder-geek who has been in the coding profession since 1995. I’ve worked most of my career as a hospital coding and revenue cycle consultant. I hold dual certification through AHIMA and the AAPC and specialize in hospital inpatient and outpatient coding and reimbursement education. I've been a hospital inpatient/outpatient coder, coding supervisor, interim manager, project manager, auditor, and educator and have worked in various environments including hospitals, physician offices, hotels, airports, and even my home! I currently work as a senior consultant for Denver-based Haugen Consulting Group focusing on implementation and training for ICD-10. I am an ACE member through AHIMA and an AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer. Locally, I serve as a director for the Colorado Health Information Management Association (CHIMA), chair CHIMA's ICD-10 Task Force, and am a past president of the Northern Colorado Health Information Management Association (NCHIMA). In my spare time, I mentor novice coders and coding students through my group, The Coder Coach – find me on Facebook and at www.codercoach.blogspot.com.

Recent Posts by Kristi Stanton

Which Coding Credential is Right for Me?
Date: September 22, 2011 - by Kristi Stanton

Question: What, if any, is the advantage of the CCA designation versus the CCS or CCS-P designations?

Answer: If you want to be a hospital-based coder, the top of the certification tree, the crème de la crème if you will, of coding certifications is the CCS. If you prefer physician coding, I recommend the CCS-P. People are free to disagree with me here, but in my humble opinion, the CCS exam is the most difficult exam I have ever taken – and I took it after I’d been coding hospital cases (inpatient and outpatient) for 6 years. I found it tougher than even my RHIT exam and when people ask me how I studied for the CCS, my answer is always the same: I coded in a hospital for several years. I’m not saying this to scare you. I’m telling you this so you understand why it is such a highly-regarded credential. If you are bright enough to earn the CCS credential, you should feel very accomplished.

July 2011 Ask the Expert: How to get your foot in the door with HIM
Date: July 25, 2011 - by Kristi Stanton

Your questions on Facebook and LinkedIn answered by an IT profesional.

Coding vs. Test Taking Skills
Date: February 01, 2011 - by Kristi Stanton

I recently read a discussion thread on AHIMA’s LinkedIn group page about the importance of certifications. In coding, it’s a reality: employers want their employees to be certified and that prerequisite has been embossed in the position requirements within the job description. But how can an employer be sure that the certified coder is really an experienced, qualified coder, and not just a good test taker?

Applying Clinical Workflows to HIM
Date: January 03, 2011 - by Kristi Stanton

About a year and a half ago I took a position with a company that specializes in electronic medical record (EMR) conversions. When first approached, I wasn’t crazy about the idea because my interest lies more in coding than EMRs, but I agreed once I was assured that my position would be that of a coding and revenue cycle educator. Since that time, though, I’ve worked with clients in various stages of EMR conversion and like it or not, it’s something we, as users of health information, have to deal with.

Last-Minute Prep Advice for the CCS Exam
Date: November 10, 2010 - by Kristi Stanton

Okay, so first thing is first – the disclaimer. It’s been nearly 10 years since I took the CCS exam and the format has changed a bit. But having talked to some pros who recently took the exam, they all agree with the advice I have been giving over the years. So now I will impart those tips to you.

FAQ: Can I work from home as a coder?
Date: October 11, 2010 - by Kristi Stanton

A frequently asked question about the coding industry is, “Will I be able to work from home?”

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