AAPCReviews of aapc.com

Wall of text follows. Background: CPC & CCC certified with over 8 years experience as a provider coding educator, auditor, coder, and risk adjuster working in office, remote. I've worked as a full time employee, consultant, and freelance with my own small business. I've worked for a total of 10 different companies of various sizes and focuses. Disclaimer finished. AAPC is the premier credentialing agency for professional fee (aka pro-fee coding). AHIMA is the agency for facility fee coding. Difference is essentially AAPC accounts for the doctor's bill and AHIMA covers down on the hospital's bill. And yes, this is a big over-simplification. AAPC originally was focused on credentialing, education, and training (and still is). However, over the past four years especially I've noticed it's attention has expanded to foreign markets, advertising the "conferences", and the prices have increased both for membership, tests, training materials, etc. So, there's good and bad, and ultimately from my perspective AAPC is now a general healthcare company; with the credentialing & education in the background. It's unfortunate, but it is what it is. For those considering doing a "coding course" or "college"...you're wasting your time and money. Use the AAPC online course that they provide, it's cheaper and always on-sale (and yes that's a shady sales tactic, but that's essentially any online seller). Granted, you'll finish with the test with a CPC-A, not a CPC. The difference? The "apprentice" element is nonsense and I cannot stand that this was created, but be warned: you need to get the add-ons like the Practicode, xtern, blah blah whatever it's called so your "time" for the apprenticeship is met; aka your CPC-A will be upgraded to a full CPC. Is it more money, yes; but you will thank yourself later. Now why is that a problem? It's gatekeeping. (Yes, this is indeed a 'trust me bro' moment) -> I've sat on dozens on hiring panels and made decisions, you know how many CPC-As we've hired? 0. I'm just being honest, and again there's no need for the CPC-A element to even exist. Quite literally, your apprentice position comes with your first job you'll have as a CPC. Now, could a CPC-A perhaps be hired as a biller or maybe working denials/claim edits? Maybe. But a traditional track Coder I position? Highly, highly unlikely. Therefore, buy the add-on programs and save yourself the hassle to have maximum doors open. Should I get the CPC/CPB? No. I am unaware of any organization that cares about the certified biller. If you want to be hired with that, got a year or more experience with the EHR (e.g., Epic or Cerner), now we're talking. There have been some mild improvements, from 150 to 100 questions on the exam and quicker feedback. So, I'll give credit to the AAPC. Of course your time is reduced now, but still, take the win where you can. The specialty exams, yes they suck and they're hard, but that's not going to change. For me as historical cardio coder: want to be prepared? Dr. Z e-learning courses are THE way to prepare for CCC, CCVTC, or CIRCC (which he created). Other specialties, honestly time in work is what prepares you. Otherwise, the AAPC's prep courses for them...kinda meh. Other credentials I recommend? CEMC; E/Ms are universal. CRC; risk adjusting coding is a strong path. CPMA; incredibly useful. CPCO; strong yes, but that needs to be coupled with years of experience, possibly an MBA, and especially the 'right connections' at work. CEDO/CEDI; can be strong & useful but that's conditional if becoming an auditor is your long term goal. All the surgical specialties (like myself with CCC) are great if you want to demonstrate mastery with that area; however you can be pigeon-holed. COC; another decent baseline. I'll address CIC in a separate paragraph. Certifications that are well...I guess if you enjoy taking tests then go for it! CPMS; if you're a scribe then I suggest you focus on maybe being a medical assistant, etc. this isn't going to be of any substantial help. RCMS/CPPM/CVBA; okay all of these are trying "credentialize" a job title. If you're going to be a practice manager, it's because you have years of experience, know the right people, and in the role be selected. The other two are related, but again are relevant for other jobs. And AAPC's newest...CPC-M. Now that made me laugh. Literally, zero relevance. If you're a "master coder" then you'll show it when you have over a decade of experience and people call you, email, or text you personally to get your advice. The CPC-M is like the back version of the CPC-A. Finally, the CIC? Honestly, get the CCS from AHIMA. Just bite the bullet and take the plunge. So in the end, AAPC is neither good or bad. Just unnecessarily expensive now in my opinion. And I'm out of characters! lol