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AAPC coding course - MT2Coder

Posted: Nov 12, 2010

I am an MT totally ready to move out of the house, off my 16-hour chair sitting for peanuts and on to the coding field. I have researched for months, looked here for months, and came upon this website, as well. Just seeing if anyone out there would recommend the course from AAPC? Thanks a bunch for your input and advice!! I don't want to waste my time/money or be scammed.. (:

Happy Friday all!

AAPC - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
It's a good course and definitely not a scam. You will still be sitting in a chair all day as a coder, though, probably reading patient records from a computer screen.

AAPC - Steph

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks for info. Yeah, I know I will be in a chair in front of the ole puter screen - however, unlike MT at home, I will have regular hours and not be burdened from 3 a.m. till 6 p.m. and, hopefully, not have to work 6-7 days a week like I do now just to try to pay bills..... (: I love the med field, so it will be a good switch..

I have looked into CareerSteps, too. Not sure about them just yet.

Appreciate response! !!

I have questions too... - No Name

[ In Reply To ..]
Does the AAPC CPC program use mostly books to educate, rather than an online platform or a recorded class? Andrews does that and I like that. I like having lessons in front of me.. that I can easily go back to and highlight information, etc. Just wondering.

The problem as I see it - Comparing Course Styles

[ In Reply To ..]
My first coding course was an online 'automated' program. It taught the basic fundamentals. It lacked a deeper understanding that you would get studying using textbooks and instructors with coding experience to interpret what you are reading. That was the worst thing about it. Not quite so bad, but bad enough, was the fact that the automated system had errors. Not just errors because they had failed to update when coding rules change every year, but errors in the basic material.

I think that level of training might be enough for a small doctor's office where they are going to train you in what codes they use and when to use them anyway.

It wasn't enough for my own purposes. It just depends on the student's overall purpose for taking the course.

Eventually I started over and found that I learned the most from using top-quality coding books and materials, with instructors who are expert coders. The fact that I could do that from my own home was perfect for me. The 'automated' system works fine for learning terminology, but isn't enough to learn really solid coding skills, in my opinion.

To No Name/Comparing Course Styles - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
I sent you a private message regarding your first coding progam, thanks.

Their website says a textbook - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Also a workbook.

See link inside - SecondTimeCoder

[ In Reply To ..]
I got a job within a month of getting my certification at $21/hour at 32/hours a week as an on-site consultant for a large children's hospital in the south.

See link - Steph

[ In Reply To ..]
that is excellent - was this from taking the AAPC course? I saw Andrews, it is the most expensive I have seen. I looked at Career Steps, too. Not sure of them, either. (:

AAPC - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm in the Career Step program. It's good, but if I had it to do over again I would probably choose AAPC.

AAPC - Steph

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks for that info, too. I am leaning towards AAPC myself after 2-3 months of looking around, asking questions, etc!! (:

I think you have it backwards! - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
You're comparing apples and oranges, I think. One school seems less, but that is because it is offered in chunks and also because it just contains less. It contains less than half of what the other has.

That's not saying one or the other is a bad program, but you need to be clear when you say one is the most expensive you have seen. It isn't. The one you think costs less turns out to be the most expensive even before you consider that it doesn't offer pathophysiology, pharmacology, or inpatient coding at all.

Coder - sm - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
If you are referring to Career Step not offering those things you are mistaken, they include all of those things in their course.

AACP vs Career Step vs Andrews vs AHIMA - steph

[ In Reply To ..]
Good thing it is the weekend.. I think I will delve into this a lot more as far as cost/course. My other concern was been whether or not it "matters" if they are certified by AHIMA. I know it matters that, at the end of it all, you will be ready to take the cerfication test(s). Any more info, etc, will be greatly appreciated!!! (:

certified programs - my 2 cents worth

[ In Reply To ..]
I have been told that AHIMA only certifies programs that teach coding (and the other stuff like terminology, A and P, etc) in the order they specify. Apparently they require all the "other stuff" be taught first before any coding is taught. Andrews teaches all this simultaneously so that you don't have to wait til the very end to start learning coding. That is why Andrews is not certified by AHIMA but that does not mean it's not a good course. As others have said, what really matters is if they teach you enough to pass the certification exams. The only absolute advantage to an AHIMA approved coding course is you can join at the student rate.

Cert programs - Steph

[ In Reply To ..]
ahhh!! Didn't know that about AHIMA and its cert process for other schools.. I like that idea about Andrews - coding being involved almost right away.. hmm... thanks for 2 cents'worth!

I don't think many of you understand what I meant - SecondTimeCoder

[ In Reply To ..]
Having worked in the coding business (more than once in different decades), I would recommend that anyone looking at pursuing a career in coding go forward with an eye towards certification by AAPC or AHIMA. Period.

Now each of you have to ask yourself what you need to achieve that certification and how much would need to be learned in formal schooling. Do you need the classes to get the certification you need? What kind of certification do you want (outpatient versus inpatient)? What is required of both associations to achieve their certifications?

Put the horse before the cart. If you don't know what certification you want, you cannot decide what course to take, what school offers what you need, etc.

Having been an uncertified coder in the past, all I really needed was to take the AAPC course to be sure I was up to date with new coding since I had left the field some years before. I did not need the other courses because of my background. I think my course was about $1200-plus or so at the time I took it. That was strictly for a 9-week course that presented what would be covered in the AAPC certification exam. I was working as an experienced MT at the time.

I think all this talk about what school or courses is premature if you don't investigate what is required to pass the certification of both/either oversite organization and decide what you want to do for yourself about achieving certification. You will not find work paying a decent salary if you don't.

Very good advice - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

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