WAHM Forums
The WAHM community forum was created to be a place for work at home moms to share their ideas and stories. In the forum you can find information about work at home jobs, starting home businesses, avoiding scams, and surviving the WAHM lifestyle. In support of the WAHM community, WAHM.com also features instructional articles, easy recipes, as well as job and business listings tailored specifically to work at home opportunities.
View Full Version : AAPC vs. AHIMA certification?
surfqueen731
09-25-2007, 02:00 PM
After taking the last several years off to be a SAHM I have decided when my youngest starts all day kindergarten (2008) I would like to be ready to go back to work - I have about 11 yrs experience in the medical billing field - encompassing most everything but transcription or coding. I cannot type worth a darn - transcription does not seem to be the route for me - but coding has always interested me. So I have started to research my options and educate myself.
I have narrowed my education options down to three - now I have not spoken with any of these schools - yet - but was hoping someone could help fill me in so I do not feel soooo stupid when I do go visit.......
One school - Tech Skills - gets you ready for certification from the American health Information Management Assoc and another does certification through American Academy of Professional Coders.
Whats the difference?
Thanks for any help/responses I get !
I have narrowed my education options down to three - now I have not spoken with any of these schools - yet - but was hoping someone could help fill me in so I do not feel soooo stupid when I do go visit.......
One school - Tech Skills - gets you ready for certification from the American health Information Management Assoc and another does certification through American Academy of Professional Coders.
Whats the difference?
Thanks for any help/responses I get !
ut_mom
09-26-2007, 11:30 PM
Both organizations are very reputable. I will admit that I am biased
towards the AAPC but that is because I work in the physician coding arena
and the AAPC focuses on physician based coding. AHIMA started as a Hospital inpatient coding and records management organization and from what I understand, added the physician based credential when the AAPC came on the scene. If you are interested in being an inpatient coder than AHIMA is the organization to be associated with. Where it comes to physician based coding, the AAPC is a terrific organization with ongoing support and education. They are continually growing and improving. If you want to bill for physician services, hospital outpatient or if you workfor a payer and adjudicate physician or outpatient claims, you probably want
to look at the AAPC for certification.
Another thing to look for is what medical facilities in your area prefer. Where I live most places look for the AAPC certification but my sis said in her area they look for AHIMA.
towards the AAPC but that is because I work in the physician coding arena
and the AAPC focuses on physician based coding. AHIMA started as a Hospital inpatient coding and records management organization and from what I understand, added the physician based credential when the AAPC came on the scene. If you are interested in being an inpatient coder than AHIMA is the organization to be associated with. Where it comes to physician based coding, the AAPC is a terrific organization with ongoing support and education. They are continually growing and improving. If you want to bill for physician services, hospital outpatient or if you workfor a payer and adjudicate physician or outpatient claims, you probably want
to look at the AAPC for certification.
Another thing to look for is what medical facilities in your area prefer. Where I live most places look for the AAPC certification but my sis said in her area they look for AHIMA.
Natausha
10-11-2007, 06:23 PM
Can you do both?
ut_mom
10-17-2007, 09:44 AM
Yes you can do both.
ahmudg
12-22-2009, 07:33 AM
This may help check Medical Coding: CCS Versus CPC (http://medical-coding-carers.blogspot.com/2009/12/ccs-versus-cpc.html)
