Interview with Denae M. Merrill
CPC
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What is your name?
Denae M. Merrill
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Where are you from?
Michigan
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What is your favorite activity?
Sleeping :) (I have a one year old!)
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Do you have any hobbies?
Scrapbooking, crafts with my daughter, reading, cuddling with my boys.
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What credentials do you hold?
Certified Professional Coder since November 2002
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What organizations do you belong to and how have they helped your career?
American Academy of Professional Coders; I found a local chapter and appreciate the opportunity to network with others in the area. I am hoping to be elected chapter secretary. I think the biggest help is the confidence one gains by being around others who understand your situation.
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How did you get into the field of medical billing and coding?
This could be a long story, but I’ll make it as short as possible. My mom retired from the doctor’s office as secretary so I applied, interviewed and was hired. Not too long afterwards I starting doing a little billing-pulmonary function test billing only, ended up with the all the physician’s hospital billing and was moved out of the secretarial position. I then started training myself through lists (like PartB and CRN) and other internet sites (like CMS) and decided to try for certification. I’ve been with the same pulmonary office for 8 years, growing with them from one to three doctors.
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What is your current position?
Manager, Medical Billing Specialists
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What is one of your accomplishments in this field that you are most proud of?
Well, obviously, passing my certification test. Beyond that, I’m just happy to share my knowledge and proud when I’m helpful.
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What do you find most exciting about this field?
Difficult as it can be, I really like auditing, each note is different so it keeps you on your toes.
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What do you find most frustrating?
Auditing is also frustrating because there are a lot of gray areas. I actually find all the gray areas in this field frustrating!
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What do you feel the future holds for this field?
I see a trend towards college being a requirement as opposed to just experience or certification. I think this field is going to expand greatly and there will be more specialty-type positions.
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What would you tell someone just starting out in this field?
Research, read, and learn as much as you can and be confident in your knowledge. Start out at the bottom if you have to prove yourself and work your way up.
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If there was one thing you could change about this field what would it be?
The ambiguity in documentation requirements and the requirement for doctors to be just as concerned with “counting bullets” as patient care.
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Who do you consider a mentor?
Vicky V. O’Neil, CPC, CCS-P. She convinced me I could pass the CPC exam and she was right. She’s been there to help me ever since. I also enjoy all of the regulars on the lists, Don, Fred, Quin, Karen, and Stanley (whose seminar I enjoyed a year or two ago).
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What is your favorite billing or coding product?
(We’re trying to link to products available on the CRN Shoppe http://www.crnshoppe.com)
I’ve only used these in trial but really like them and hope to convince those above me to purchase them for me, Intelicode and E&M Coder. Other than that I use just my CPT, ICD-9, HCPCS and a book for Pulmonary/Critical Care billing put out by ACCP.
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What is your affiliation with the CRN and how has that helped you?
I’m mainly on the emailing list. This list is the best for getting quick answers to any question you have. There are no real rules or regulations about what can be asked.
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Provide any contact information you are comfortable with:
- Feel free to contact me with any Pulmonary/Critical Care or Auditing questions at dmerrill@chs-mi.com