Which association offers credentialing opportunities for medical coders?

With experience, the RHIT credential holds solid potential for advancement to management positions, especially when combined with a bachelor's degree. Although most RHITs work in hospitals, they are also found in other healthcare settings including office-based physician practices, nursing homes, home health agencies, mental health facilities, and public health agencies. In fact, RHITs may be employed in any organization that uses patient data or health information, such as pharmaceutical companies, law and insurance firms, and health product vendors.

With experience, the RHIT credential holds solid potential for advancement to management positions, especially when combined with a bachelor's degree. Although most RHITs work in hospitals, they are also found in other healthcare settings including office-based physician practices, nursing homes, home health agencies, mental health facilities, and public health agencies. In fact, RHITs may be employed in any organization that uses patient data or health information, such as pharmaceutical companies, law and insurance firms, and health product vendors.

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By Chron Contributor Updated January 19, 2021

Medical facilities of all sizes rely on medical coders to keep their patient records and submit claims for billing. It's a responsible position, and employers are sometimes reluctant to hire new coders unless they can demonstrate proven competence in the field. Professional certifications are one way to do that. The two leading providers of certifications are the American Health Information Management Association, or AHIMA, and the American Association of Professional Coders, or AAPC. There are some differences in their qualifications, but both are widely respected in the industry.

The American Health Information Management Association was founded by the American College of Surgeons in 1928. Then known as the Association of Record Librarians of North America, its goal was to improve patient care by establishing clear standards for medical record-keeping. In its present role, AHIMA provides certification exams for medical coders and health information managers. Its basic credential is the Certified Coding Associate or CCA, for new coders who have graduated from a training program or spent at least six months coding.

The Certified Coding Specialist certification requires graduation from a more comprehensive training program, two years' experience in the field, or a combination of the CCA or another organization's credentials plus one year of professional coding.

The American Association of Professional Coders was established in 1988 to provide certification and credentialing primarily for coders in physicians' offices. It has since expanded its line of credentials, and offers certifications in hospital-based coding, coding for payers, medical auditing and various other sub-specialties in the field.

Candidates for its Certified Coding Professional credentials must have at least two years' experience in the field, and the AAPC recommends – but doesn't require – an associate degree in medical coding or health information management. Candidates who pass the certification exam but don't meet the experience requirement earn apprentice status, and become fully certified after completing two full years' work experience.

Historically, AHIMA certification has focused on coding and records-management staff working in the hospital and inpatient settings, while the AAPC began by certifying staff in physicians' offices. Both have broadened their offerings, with AHIMA now offering the CCS-P credential for coders in physicians' offices and the AAPC providing a CPC-H credential for coders in outpatient hospital coding. This means that both credentials are now suitable for all health information management organizations.

AHIMA doesn't offer apprentice status as part of its credentialing process, as the AAPC does, though its CCA credential has a similar purpose. Neither has a formal education requirement for its coder certifications, though AHIMA's RHIA and RHIT records-management certifications require a bachelor's degree or associate degree respectively.

Training for coders varies in quality, so earning a professional certification through either AHIMA or the AAPC can be a vital career-builder. The AAPC's 2019 salary survey showed that certifications are mandatory with 54 percent of employers, and reported an average salary of ​$54,890​ for all respondents. up 5.8 percent on 2018.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median salary of ​$42,630​ for medical records and health information technicians generally, both with and without a relevant a certification. BLS projects 8 percent employment growth for coders and other medical records technicians between 2019 and 2029, well above the average for all occupations.

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) is the largest organization of its kind and offers training, networking, and certification opportunities for medical coders, billers, and other healthcare business professionals. 

AAPC offers more than 10 certifications covering the healthcare revenue cycle including medical coding, billing, auditing, documentation, compliance, and physician practice management. The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential is the most popular in the AAPC catalog and it is widely recognized by employers as the gold standard in physician-based medical coding.  

Earning a credential from the AAPC requires an individual to pass the corresponding exam, which can be taken at a local facility or online. The AAPC offers exam preparation resources consisting of study guides, books, and courses available online or in-classroom for each certification program.

The AAPC is not a traditional university, so they are not eligible for accreditation through the Department of Education. However, the AAPC is registered in the state of Utah where its headquarters are located, and adheres to the Utah Postsecondary Proprietary School Act guidelines. 

Because the AAPC is not an accredited university, the Academy is not eligible to participate in federally funded grants or financial aid programs. However, students may qualify for financial assistance if they attend an AAPC course taught by a licensed PMCC instructor at an accredited school or university. 

In addition to certification programs, the AAPC offers online training, exam prep, advanced courses, and continuing education resources for healthcare business professionals. They also partner with businesses to provide professional services, customized training, codebooks, and software. 

Individuals, corporations, and fellowships can pursue membership with the AAPC to access a network of professionals, quarterly webinars from industry thought leaders, job-finding resources, and savings on AAPC products. Membership is not necessary to achieve or renew an AAPC certification.

You would use the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) if you're looking to improve your medical billing and coding knowledge and skillset. Many medical coder and biller positions either require or recommend their certifications so for many employees, it is a wise career choice to obtain the certifications for new growth opportunities.

Contact us here or calling us at 888.TEMP.DEV with questions about medical billing and the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

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