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CPC certification -- outpatient coding only?? - weeweewarrior

Posted: Mar 26, 2013

With every intent of taking some classes in the fall to be able to sit for the CPC exam, I just read a post from another coder that the CPC only qualifies you to code for doctor's offices. I currently work in a hospital, with the idea to try to transition to a coding position. Will this just be a big waste for me? What about the CPC-H?

Well - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
Some hospitals will take a CPC, although you might not code inpatient stays. It depends on your hospital. I would talk to you HR people if I were you, or one of the managers in HIM/coding for suggestions specific to your workplace.

That being said, getting a good, marketable credential in coding is never a waste of time. Having a credential is always better than not having one, so I would go for the CPC, personally.

THANKS - weeweewarrior

[ In Reply To ..]
You are right -- education is never a mistake. I already know my facility hires CPC accredited coders. I guess if you want to do inpatient coding, you must have to get additional training?

CPC - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
If your facility hires CPC-credentialed coders, you should be fine with it. You are already working there, after all.

The CPC covers outpatient coding, but there is a lot of overlap with inpatient. To do inpatient, you would have to learn more. You can do it on the job.

Just be careful that the classes you plan to take actually prepare you for the CPC. Check how many students pass the exam without having to work in coding first. It is usually a bad sign if the program "recommends" work experience before taking the exam, as it is a sign that they are not teaching enough.

Sure thing, sm - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
The CCS would help you specifically for inpatient coding. That credential comes from AHIMA. (The CPC comes from AAPC)

As far as I have been able to find, Andrews is really the only school that teaches you enough to pass Both the CPC and the CCS exams. A lot of places do teach toward the CPC, but only to the CCA in conjunction. The CCA is kind of a waste, really, so I'd avoid it if you can.

What might be worth a look-see though, since getting both credentials would only be in your best interest, is researching your facility's policy on tuition reimbursement. It might be that you can take the course through Andrews and have your costs reimbursed. You might have to really fight for it and sell the program to the people in charge, but it's worth a shot.

CPC - weeweewarrior

[ In Reply To ..]
I think tuition reimbursement has kind of dried up, with this economy. I am kicking myself, because a few years ago I could have had total tuition reimbursement. I'd really like to have the CCS, however in my case I really only lack three courses to qualify to sit for my CPC. So since I'm more than halfway there already, that is probably what I'll pursue right there. I guess the CCS will have to come later. :( Thank you for the advice!

About qualifying for the CPC - Wondering

[ In Reply To ..]
What is in that program and what three courses do you have left to take to "qualify" to take the CPC???

I ask because there aren't any required courses for the CPC. Not one.

There ARE course requirements for the CCS and the CCS-P. But not for AAPC exams.

This is important. You need to be clear about this before signing up for courses. If you are not, you may end up wasting money and time on something that will get you nowhere.

This is the sort of thing schools tell you to rope you in. If a school told you this, I would run the other way because they don't know what they are talking about.

Qualifying for the CPC - weeweewarrior

[ In Reply To ..]
What I mean by "qualifying for the CPC" is that, those three classes would complete their coding program, and in my mind would qualify myself to take the CPC. Obviously I could go and take it now, and fail it miserably. I only need three more classes in their coding program to graduate. It is the same program that our facility hires from.

"qualifying" - weeweewarrior

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you for the response though! I know there are some shady schools out there. I'd really like to take online courss, but since this is where my Associates is from . . . It just makes sense to finish it out there. "Qualifying" was a poor word choice on my part -- what I guess I should have said would be that I would feel qualified to attempt the exam once I completed this coding program.

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