Medical coding aapc vs ahima

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I am interested in the right education for a career in medical coding. From what I read the aapc is more for doctors office and the ahima is for hospitals. Has anyone done either program or could give me feedback on which would be the best one to do for a job?

Did you attend school online or in the class room? How long did it take and were you able to pass the exam easily after the education?

If you are employed do you enjoy your job, is the pay ok, was it easy to find a job?

Thank you

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You're right, we were always told in school that AAPC was more office focused and AHIMA was more for hospitals, but my school paid for/prepared you for the AAPC exam. So, thats who I went with. But, with AAPC you can take an exam and get your CPC (certified professional coder) and then take a second exam to get your CPC-H (Hospital) So that's what I did...and I ended up getting a job with one of the largest hospitals in my city. I honestly felt like I was prepared, but I felt like a lot of things I learned on the job from other coders. I attended a local technical college in the classroom. They didn't offer online at the time. I was done in 17 months. I thought both exams were a piece of cake. I passed both on the first try. But, many of my classmates did not. Several had to re-take it. So I think it all just depends on how prepared you are walking in to it. For me it was easy to find a job, because the last semester of school we did an externship and I ended up going to work with them. So I graduated on Saturday and started work on Monday. I was happy with the pay, since it was more than I had ever made before. Usually depending on experience you started out between $13-15, but after I left I was told there were some smaller offices that paid better, but that I can't confirm. I enjoyed my job, I really did. You got to research diseases and it was interesting. BUT, I couldn't take staring at a computer screen all day. I realized that I wanted to be with the patients, not billing them, so I left to pursue nursing school. (They couldn't work with my school schedule) Oh, but one good thing is they were always pretty flexible with hours. So, I also enjoyed that, some weeks I was home at 3 everyday, or some days I could do 4 10's and take Friday off.

You may want to do some research into it and see how needed coders are in locally. I've heard rumors of coders being phased out and everything being computerized, but I've yet to see that where I live.

If you have any questions let me know. Best of luck to you. :]

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Specializes in ICU.

There is a prediction that there will be 30 percent more coders needed by 10/1/13. This is because ICD 10 is go live then. They are expecting those coders close to retirement to retire without learning the program. they are to begin teaching ICD 10 this fall in the local cc in our area. A dr a tokd me last week those that know. ICD 10 will be able to name their price.

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Thank you for your help. I emailed the company of those organziations to ask a few questions as well.

Incurable was there extra schooling to get the H certificate or you just take another exam? On that website it says the H is outpatient hospital work. Do you work in a hospital inpatient and will an inpatient hospital hire you with the H or you really it is better to do the AHIMA? I guess I want the flexibility to work in either a doctors office or hospital and I am confused on which route would be better of these 2? From everything I read the AHIMA test for hospital coding is much harder and a longer course? If I did it through the AAPC for the CPC first would I be able to just study with the books for the AHIMA or take a shorter class to get the AHIMA or no after? That way I would have some knowledge and maybe work experience?

Thank you again

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Sorry one more thing I think that the AHIMA also you may get the CCA before the CCS? Gosh this is confusing. Thanks again

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