medical coding schools - binsky
Posted: Jun 06, 2012
I have been researching schools & certifications for coding and getting a bit overwhelmed! I have pretty much decided on an online course but now to decide which one? From reading the forums i hear Andrews college is pretty good but this will cost $3800 and take about a yr. Another option i have is thru Ivy Tech which will be covered by FAFSA grant. I also checked into the classes directly thru AAPC. Is anyone familiar with any of these online classes that could give me some input? I am leaning more towards Andrews or Ivy Tech. I have recently lost my job and my main concern with Andrews is how long it will take & if i will be able to get by financially until i am done. With Ivy Tech there is not a lot of info regarding the course, so i am concerned about how well this course will teach me what i need to know to pass certification. Also i am not sure which cert would be the best to go for first? What has the highest demand in the job market currently? CCA, CCA, CPC, CPC-h? Any suggestions? Need help!!!!!
A Brief Answer - sm
[ In Reply To ..]
I'm not familiar with the school you mentioned, Ivy Tech.
CCA is pretty much worthless, equivalent to an RMT in MT. It means you went to school, but didn't get enough training to get a CCS.
CPC is great (or CPC-H) as long as you have a CCS along with it.
Why? - Inquiring minds
[ In Reply To ..]
Why does a person need a CPC and a CCS? Why not just obtain a CCS?
Do you know what those credentials cover? - CCS, CCS-P, CPC, plus some more
[ In Reply To ..]
All credentials cover something slightly or very different. Many of us have more than one.
Why would you not want a credential from each organization? Why would you not want a credential in physician services or outpatient coding?
I can understand having a CCS alone, but not just a CPC alone - Keeping your options open
[ In Reply To ..]
You will be limiting your job options drastically if you only have a CPC. It's great as an "I also have a CPC", but doesn't work very well as a, "I don't have a CCS, but I have a CPC."
It's a completely different thing to say, "I have my CCS." That's impressive. It's probably all you need. I just like the idea of being able to say you've been tested by both organizations and have both of those credentials. If you have to have just one, just be sure it's the CCS. Otherwise your job options are going to be severely limited.
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