The below article is from the Oct 21, 2009 edition of Coding Career Wire. Please read more to learn how our own Alice Kater went from Fingerprint Technician to Urology Coder

“My Virtual Mentor”
When someone casually asks her what she does for a living, Alice M. Kater, CPC, PCS usually describes herself as a “translator — I translate my doctors’ documentation into numbers the insurance companies recognize so that claims get paid,” she writes. “I’ve worked for Urology Associates of South Bend, PC for twenty years now. I started at the front desk, progressed to secretary, and then Coder. Now I code for all five urologists. In my pre-urology days, I managed a family practice office, did a two-year stint as a legal supervisor and, way back when, I was a fingerprint technician for the FBI in Washington, DC. I’ve always been anal about my work and this job rewards me for that trait,” she continues.
In the early years, when Kater was working for one of the physicians as a secretary, the practice manager saw that she enjoyed coding and posting. “I jumped at the chance to do it,” she writes. “They offered to pay for my education and were gracious enough to give me time off for studying when it came time to sit for the national CPC exam. They had a vested interest and wanted me to do well — talk about pressure!”
How Kater & Friends Mastered CPC’s Many Specialties
Many coders say that one of the hardest things about the AAPC’s Certified Professional Coder exam is that you have to know how to code in multiple specialties, which can be tricky if you’ve only coded in one or two. But Kater and her fellow students in a CPC prep class at Indiana University of South Bend saw how they could collaborate to meet the multispecialty challenge.
“In our study group (and I strongly recommend you have one), we had coders from general and vascular surgery, cardiology, ENT, and urology,” she recalls. As they helped one another with the ins and outs of their specialties, they formed a “base network” and are still dear friends. “We studied together, supported each other, and rejoiced when our CPC letters appeared in our mail boxes.”
Kater’s coding education didn’t stop with the CPC, of course. “My doctors recognize the importance of keeping abreast of all things coding to better protect the office, the providers, and our patients. I work with a tremendous staff who really try to keep up with all the changes I bring them and sometimes it’s really tough. This year we started e-prescribing, went to a new computer system, and are in our second year of the challenging PQRI. Phew! It’s a lot to deal with.” She attends the Indiana State Medical Association Medicare Coalition meetings, makes sure she gets to hear nationally-recognized urology reimbursement experts, and never misses the annual AMA Coding Symposium in Chicago. Kater’s continuing education takes her out of the office sometimes, and she’s the only coder, but she can depend on her colleagues while she’s away learning. “My wonderful co-worker, Judy E, posts for us — I call her my ‘poster child’ even though she’s worked here even longer than I have.”
When it comes to her coding education, Kater makes sure she pays it forward. “If there are any new developments (and when aren’t there?), I ask for time at their monthly physicians’ meeting to educate or to get answers. They have been wonderful about letting this happen and call it my ‘coding corner.’”
Relishing Claims Paid on Appeal and Other Small Victories
“I’ve seen poor, mediocre, and exceptional coders — more exceptional than not,” Kater writes. “Your quality as a coder is all based on commitment and support. I am fortunate enough to be able to strongly commit to a career I love and blessed with the support I need to do just that.”
“Even in these trying times for providers, I enjoy what I do. I get tired tilting at windmills sometimes, but it’s the one small victory, the one patient helped, the one claim paid on appeal, that makes me want to keep doing what I do.”

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