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Andrews or CCO?? - MT to Coder

Posted: Feb 05, 2015

I'm trying to do as much research as possible into changing careers from MT to coding, and I've narrowed down my two choices of schools to Andrews and CCO (CodingCertificate.Org). According to CCO's website, they now offer courses that will prepare you to take the CCS exam. I've heard positive things about CCO, but I've also heard positive things about Andrews, and how thorough it is, but also that it's very difficult. I would love to hear either from someone who's currently at Andrews, or has graduated from that school, to answer the following questions:

What's so challenging about their coding program? Is it the amount of modules that need to be covered and/or the material that's in each module?

Is it the pace that you go through in trying to complete each module?

Did you feel that the textbooks that are used were helpful in learning about coding?

Does your instructor touch base with you on a weekly or regular basis to see how you're doing or if you have any questions?

Are you able to contact other students to either study or interact with them?

You can also PM me if you're more comfortable doing that. TIA!!

Answer from Andrews Grad - CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-H

[ In Reply To ..]
First, coding courses do not teach the same thing. You should not assume that those two programs are equivalent.

Second, you do not seem to be aware that there is a difference between "offering courses that will prepare you for the CCS exam" and a school that teaches the prerequisites. There are prerequisites before you are allowed to register. It is more than just the ICD and CPT coding. Andrews teaches what is required. I saw no evidence that the other did. You can sit for the CCS at graduation from Andrews. With the other you will have to work for two years before being allowed to sit for the CCS. If you want the CCS to get a job, how is it helping you to not have it for two years?

Third, your instructor at Andrews is a CCS-certified inpatient coder. I am one of those, too, and I can assure you that you do not want to learn inpatient coding from someone who is not and especially from a program that is mostly focused on outpatient AAPC coding. Andrews instructor is also an AHIMA-Approved ICD-10 Trainer. Being one of those myself, too, I can tell you that it is in a different dimension than AAPC-level ICD-10 coding.

What is so challenging about Andrews? The fact that they teach what is basically a year or more worth of college-level courses. That's why it qualifies for the CCS. It is also due to the expectations of the instructors. They are there to help you become a solid coder. They also recognize that coders have very high expectations for accuracy. They pretty much expect you to achieve that in school and work with you to get there. That is a far cry from the usual college grading system where 70 still passes, or the online course where you grade your own work and no one cares if you finish.

It is not the pace of the modules. It is self-paced. You can go faster or slower.

Do the books help? Good grief, yes! They are the same books that I use at work every day. They are all highly respected, authoritative textbooks. When I need to justify something, I use those same coding references. My employer buys new editions of them every year. Most large facilities do. They are also included in the references of the big encoder software packages. (Just in comparison, we do not buy or use the AAPC book at all, and I know of no one who does. Nothing wrong with it as a learning tool, but it isn't considered a reference.)

You will communicate with your instructor all the time. You have assignments to turn in and you will be asking questions and getting answers. If you don't, I think Linda herself will give you a call. LOL. They WORK WITH YOU. You are not left alone. That is partly why it is so challenging, perhaps. They are there to help you, not as a rah-rah cheering section.

They have a student board, so yes you can contact others.

I think you need to do more research. You should read the requirements for the AHIMA exams for yourself. There is nothing wrong with just taking outpatient coding for the CPC. If that is what you want, do that. If you want the CCS, though, you will have to do more. That exam is much harder than the CPC. The failure rate on it is extremely high and you will need to be very well prepared.

Thanks for your reply! - MT to Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
It's certainly given me a lot to think about!

Also consider - ac

[ In Reply To ..]
Careerstep. They have partnered with a company who has been hiring directly from the school. You don't get your CCS but after you have some experience you could always do it later. I have thought about Andrews, but even with a CCS, without experience jobs are hard to find. I have researched a lot of job sites, other people that have graduated from there. Its not unheard of to get a job right out of graduating but I wouldn't take that risk. Careerstep is still a risk, but if you hurry and jump on it you might have that chance of getting hired through their partner.

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