A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Decisions, decisions, decisions - baffled

Posted: Jan 13, 2011

I am wondering if you all could give me some thoughts on the following: I am trying to decided whether to take the AHIMA Basic Coding course or to just study on my own to take the CCS exam. I am an acute care medical transcriptionist of 20 years. There are a couple of classes that are required in the AHIMA course such as medical terminology that would be a waste of money for me to take, however, they are required. Would I be better off just buying the books and studying on my own, since this is a self-paced course anyway? Is there really that much benefit to taking the classes through AHIMA? Do you think it makes a significate difference when you go to look for a job? Does anyone know of someone who did it on their own? If anyone has done this, I would really like to talk to you. I appreciate your thoughts.

Cathy

Look down the page a bit and you'll see - Tired MT

[ In Reply To ..]
some discussion about this. I am considering doing the same thing. I think that it is possible if we're willing to commit the time and effort and prepare adequately.

Why just the CCS? - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
As already posted, do read the postings in this forum. You may find what you need.

Has anyone passed these exams by studying on their own? Sure. Should you? That's something you will have to answer for yourself. If you feel that you, while knowing little about the field, already know what you need to study, the best way to do this, and what would be a waste of time for you and what would not, then your best bet might be to try doing it on your own first.

You mentioned the AHIMA course as self-paced. Did you mean it has no instructors? It is NOT self-paced--check their time requirements.

I'm wondering why you are considering only on the CCS exam. I would look to the CPC first because the job market for it is a lot better. As an MT, you may be seeing the "hospital" market and thinking that's all there is, but the outpatient market is much larger and focused more on a person's demonstrated competence in coding rather than on whether they attended a particular program.

The CPC exam would be a more realistic focus right now. It's more achievable and will open up a larger job market. The professional organization that offers it (AAPC) is supportive and their local chapters are often instrumental in helping members find jobs. Employers in this market tend to care only that you passed the certification exam.

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