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RHIT/RHIA program that also prepares for CCS? - Researching

Posted: Feb 19, 2014

I am a current MT and am looking to start the transition to coding/HIM. I already have a bachelor's degree in business. I know I would like to work in hospital coding, at least initially, so I want a very good foundation in coding. This always leads me to Andrews school, as I definitely want to obtain the CCS to help my prospects.

However, I am also open to other possible opportunities in HIM, and it seems that an HIM degree/RHIT or RHIA would be beneficial to have in that respect. I have been doing so much research and have hit information overload trying to figure out the best way to go about this. It always sounds as if the HIM degree programs do not cover coding in depth enough to be adequately prepared for the CCS. Is this correct?

I keep coming back to doing Andrews for the coding education and then doing a post baccalaureate certificate in HIM so that I may sit for the RHIA, but then by the time you add in all the prereqs for the post bacc cert classes, I'm about at the same cost and timeframe of an HIM associate's degree or the WGU informatics degree. My ideal would be an online program where I may sit for the RHIT or RHIA *and* be prepared for the CCS. Does this even exist?

I'm getting dizzy trying to figure out the best way to go about this and am hoping some outside thoughts will add some perspective. Thanks so much for any input or advice!

AHIMA - Choatex

[ In Reply To ..]
I would advise you go through AHIMA directly as they offer a 12-course self-paced program and they are the ones who administer the CCS certification. See link.
http://www.ahima.org/education/onlineed/Programs/cb

Please check first - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
That advice is not sound. There are now educational requirements for the CCS, which the AHIMA online course does not meet.

Thank you for the heads up! nm - Researching

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Suggestions - Been There

[ In Reply To ..]
OK, I'm confused by your post. You say you have a bachelor's in business, and you even mention getting a post-baccalaureate certificate in HIM, so why arecyou evenconsidering an RHIT program? That doesn't make sense. You want to go forward, not backward, and you do not want to waste years and thousands repeating work.

The claim that RHIA degree programs do not prepare you for the CCS is untrue. However, once you have the RHIA, you arexqualified to work in more than coding, and probably will choose to.

If your bachelor's is from a regionally accredited institution, you only need to do a post-bacc in HIM to sit for the RHIA. The University of Toledo has a program that will take about 12 to 18 months.

If you want to do informatics, in particular, WGU has the best program, best price, and shortest time at 2.5 years, but you can possibly do it faster. Their students graduate with the CCA, at least, as well as several computer certifications, and have a 100% pass rate on the RHIA.

Do not even consider RHIT programs. It will be 3 years before you finish one, with more limited job opportunities, followed by 3 or more years to finish the RHIA, at hideous expense. That is no longer a good option for anyone who can do an online program.

All RHIA programs teach the same coding, often right down to the books.

Clarification - Researching

[ In Reply To ..]
I apologize for not being more clear in my original post. Yes, I do prefer the RHIA since I already have a degree. However, I was not sure if a post bacc cert would include enough coding training to accomplish my other goal of CCS. Basically, I just wanted to be open to any ideas of various paths.

The one thing I do know for certain is that I want a good coding foundation and to be able to pass the CCS, as I am certain that I would like to do some coding. After a couple years of reading this forum, I have gotten the impression that to have a chance at a coding job without experience, one needs a CCS to improve their chances. I have also gotten the impression that most "regular" degree programs do not cover coding to the depth needed to pass the CCS without experience. However, if this is all incorrect, I would love to hear suggestions of how to possibly approach this.

In a nutshell, I want to set myself up in the best possible way to get a hospital coding job and possibly eventually work in other areas of HIM. I know I may not start off in the coding job right off the bat, and that's fine. I do appreciate your input! Thanks!

Some thoughts on that - Been There

[ In Reply To ..]
I don't mean to offend anyone, but I am going to exaggerate this example so you can see the relationships between these credentials.

You want to get an RHIA, but you want to get a CCS so you can work as a coder. I have both of those, and I worked as a coder, and I know others who do as their main or second job, so I am not being insulting. I just want you to see where your thinking is going.

That is like getting a BSN, but doing a nurse's aide program on the side because you want a job doing basic care. Or, like getting a PharmD, but doing a pharmacy assistant course too because you want to be sure to get a job at the cash register.

RHIA is basically the highest functional credential in HIMS. You can do *anything* with it. Relatively few have it because there were so few programs.

Once you have it, people don't really care if you have a CCS. You made it, you are in the club.

I know lots of RHIAs who have no coding credentials. Look at jobs from companies like Maxim -- RHIA *or* CCS.. Not CCS preferred but will consider RHIA.

If you can swing a post-bacc at U Toledo, which means getting accepted, you should do that first. Later, if you still want the CCS and find you can't pass it, take Andrews.

If you can't get into UT, do WGU. You really cannot beat their informatics, and their coding is definitely enough. You will have a CCA, an RHIA, and very good IT credentials. Nobody will care that you do not have a CCS, although you could get one later.

The only time I would recommend doing coding first is when you do not have a degree, so you have to do a full RHIA program and need to work as a coder while you are in school. Then, it does make sense to do, say, Andrews, get a job, and go on for the RHIA. It especially makes the most sense if you cannot get into UT or WGU and have to do a lengthy RHIT-RHIA sequence taking 5 or 6 years or longer.

For you, though, you could have the RHIA in about the same time as Andrews, so it makes more sense to do that first. It makes sense even if your goal is coding.

Believe me, you won't have trouble getting a job. It may well be in coding, but it doesn't matter because it will be a good job. For examples, look on www.usajobs.gov for keyword 0669. Choose the choice for current fed employee.

That makes sense sm - Researching

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you so much for that explanation. That does make total sense now. I did not realize the RHIA would prepare me for coding adequately. Thank you for taking the time to explain all of that. Very helpful! I will look into RHIA first.

Also wanted to ask-- - Researching

[ In Reply To ..]
My only previous healthcare experience will have been in MT. If I get the RHIA, will it matter that I don't have "higher level" experience (for lack of a better term)? Do RHIAs without lots of previous experience get hired fairly easily? I hope that makes sense. Thanks :)

Yes, they do - Explanation

[ In Reply To ..]
There are comparatively few RHIAs, so they are in demand for management and higher-level technical positions. The larger the facility, the easier it will be. At smaller places, they don't need as many, can't pay enough to attract them, and tend to hire RHITs instead, and they are often afraid to hire someone with the 4-year degree.

Check into the VA's HIM internship program. It is a super deal. You have to move, but it is worth it.

That VA program looks interesting - Researching

[ In Reply To ..]
Would be kind of difficult at the moment with a toddler, but it looks like a fabulous opportunity for people!

Thanks again for your help! I may think of other questions later, if you don't mind :)

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