Certification: Who do you go through?

It depends on what you want to do with your certification. If you are or want to work in a hospital, ACM. If you would like to work for an insurance company, CCM.

Which certification is the best one to go for? I've seen CCM and ACM and one other. Thoughts?

I personally have no problem with either ACM or CCM, but if I had to choose between the two, I would choose a CCM. I prefer CCM for myself because ACM is relatively new, is strictly acute care related, and does not have a broad market appeal to employers. On the other hand, the CCM covers areas inside and outside the hospital setting, broad market appeal to employers, more CMs have it, and it is the older of the two credentials.

I have always worked in the hospital setting as a RN, but one never knows where one's career will take him/her and so I tend to set myself up for success in many arenas. In fact, I have another job at this time as a clinical bedside middle manager; covering my bases! :)

I go thru MCG-Milliman which we use at work and is really cheap compared to the other ones.

I will be taking the CCM exam in December. Does anyone have tips for studying, materials or books to purchase to help prepare?

I have a website where you can find all my study notes from when I took the CCM in April or 2014. I researched each of the domains covered on the exam and put my notes at CaseManagementStudyGuide.com