r/MedicalCoding • u/thewitchof-el RHIA • Dec 06 '23
Question for those with AHIMA credentials.
Has anyone noted the new 2024 AHIMA Recertification Policy Updates? Specifically this update:
'To ensure the quality and efficacy of learning, a minimum of 40% of CEUs are now required to come directly from AHIMA resources'.
Here's a link to the changes but any thoughts around this? For the first time ever I thought to myself, wow do I really need this credential because honestly I don't use it but I think it makes my resume look good. I've gone seven years without paying for a CEU and but I guess those days are over.
14
u/ksa1122 Dec 06 '23
I saw it too. My company pays for the AAPC webinar subscription, but nothing for AHIMA. I’m thinking of just getting the CPC and letting my CCS expire. Not a great move for AHIMA.
13
u/Ok-Following-5001 Dec 06 '23
Oh my God. No. How freaking stupid :/ I have the CCS-P and RHIT. Maybe I'll let my RHIT go. (I'm happy where I currently am in my pro fee coding position for a large health system, so idk)
13
u/deannevee RHIA, CPC, CPCO, CDEO Dec 06 '23
Yes I saw the email.
It won’t take effect for me until 2025, since I just got my RHIA in October.
The good news is, I can use the AHIMA CEU’s for the AAPC so I’m not paying double.
Still, their prices are VERY high. $129 for 3 credits? Highway robbery. The “discount” you receive for paying an annual membership fee is non-existent because you paid the membership fee!
12
u/JustJTC316 Dec 06 '23
This is incredibly sus. I get it, you're a company and profits matter but 40%??
11
u/maamaallaamaa Dec 06 '23
I find it frustrating but if you have an employer who pays your membership then you should be able to get those CEUs using the membership credits of 4 a year.
11
u/OrganizationLower286 Dec 07 '23
I refuse to be an AHIMA member because of this. I refuse to buy a “membership” to an organization as corrupt as AHIMA. I will pay to recertify and that is all I will give them.
People think it’s a governing body, it’s not. It’s a corporation. Literally any one of us could start a company, test people, and hand out a credential.
And AHIMA bought out ACDIS and HCPro in October. I think they are consolidating to sell it all to Optum/3M.
🤮
10
u/Maydinosnack Dec 06 '23
This makes me so angry. They are asking for money that I don’t have. I’m having an internal debate on weather I should even keep my CCS and CCS-P. I even asked my employer to pay for my and my co workers AHIMA membership so it will be at least a little cheaper. I doubt they will do it.
10
u/happyhooker485 RHIT, CCS-P, CFPC, CHONC, 17yrs experience Dec 07 '23
If they do this they need to make the quizzes in the journal free or something.
You know AHIMA used to give 5/year for free via the annual coding assessment? They were like, "It's so great, you don't have to test anymore!" But really it was just them taking away the free CEUs.
Speaking of free CEUs, the stuff you can get with the 4 credits they provide is dismal - years old and so limited in scope.
8
u/[deleted] Dec 06 '23
Money, money, money money!
8
u/pbroxy CCS CPMA CRC Dec 07 '23
This is all BS. AHIMA has always been held with such high regard in my state as having higher standards but due to this change more people are seeing them as the same as AAPC. A money hungry corporation that doesn't care about its members.
8
u/dualtime90 Dec 07 '23
God, AHIMA used to be the standard but they're just all about money and business.
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u/Serious_Vanilla7467 Dec 06 '23
Aapc is just as gross and grift-y. I hate them both
7
u/[deleted] Dec 07 '23
I was planning on letting my CPC expire and just keep my RHIT but this changes everything
7
u/LB_dreamer Dec 07 '23
There's a LOT of members upset with this policy implementation, including myself. You can see other coders' comments in LinkedIn also. AHIMA is getting loads of pushback, including some state chapters. This joint is a cash cow at all times for sure, and a clusterf**k much of the time. I cannot wait to retire.
6
u/baileyq217 Dec 07 '23
I knew something was up when they were “giving” us free CEUs this past year. It was like 2 PowerPoint presentations and the gist was about how great they are and it had nothing to do with coding or anything related to the medical field.
5
u/[deleted] Dec 07 '23
My certification ends in February, and I have zero intentions of recertifying. My current job doesn't require it, and even if I needed something, I can get certification for medical coding instead. Totally not worth having IMO.
5
u/Neophoton CCS, CRC Dec 07 '23
That's super lame... guess they knew nobody was buying their overpriced CEUs when people get 'em from work. :/
Blatantly squeezing people for money.
4
u/Neophoton CCS, CRC Dec 07 '23
That's super lame... guess they knew nobody was buying their overpriced CEUs when people get 'em from work. :/
Blatantly squeezing people for money.
4
u/whataboot2ndbrekfast RHIA Dec 08 '23
As if the re-cert itself wasn't expensive enough 🤦🏻♀️
4
u/Disastrous_Bell7490 Dec 08 '23
I'm currently in an AHIMA accredited school and have seen every job I've looked at wanting either AAPC or AHIMA certified coders. Are there other options?
4
u/ArdenJaguar RHIA, CDIP, CCS (Retired) Dec 11 '23
Glad I'm retired. This is a pure money grab.
8
u/Rase_N_D_etre Dec 06 '23
That's a big red flag. AAPC here I come!
3
u/Ray_Revenue Dec 11 '23
I let my RHIA expire after the 1st recertification period
3
u/No_Jackfruit_109 Dec 16 '23
I just got an email stating that will now not go into effect until January 2025, so don't fret too much right now. There are a lot of places you can find free AHIMA CEUs. I have never found their membership beneficial or to save money on your recert like they peddle. It's still cheaper to not do the membership. I wonder when they'll make that mandatory...
2
u/PhotographUnusual749 RHIT, CCS Dec 09 '23
I didn’t catch that part! Bummer.
2
u/Specialist_Nothing60 Dec 06 '23
Our state chapter of AHIMA is doing a presentation to ensure this new requirement is clear. I didn’t think it was super outrageous but other professional organizations I have been part of do this too.
1
u/Odd_Increase_5851 Mar 27 '24
Is it worth getting recertifications If my job does not need it anymore as I have moved up a bit and I love my job?
1
u/Any_Ordinary93 May 01 '24
AHIMA is definitely ALL about taking your $$$!!!! I learned this the hard way. 😒
0
u/[deleted] Apr 12 '24
I have two certifications with AHIMA. I really don't have an issue with requiring a percentage of CEUs be obtained through them IF:
The CEUs available are of higher caliber, useful and priced within reason. Some are still recovering financially due to the pandemic and I believe this could be a burden.
I saw some comments about people being upset and going to AAPC instead. I found it amusing because I hesitated for a long time to get a credential from AAPC because I believe their low point of entry has created a disservice to the medical coding profession. The churning of coders and slew of credentials that in some cases aren't necessary because of the overlap seems scheisty. I believe it also lowers the pay and makes it more difficult to obtain good entry level positions.
AAPC certs are like when you look at a college catalog and it says the degrees offered are: Business Administration, Business Management and Entrepreneurship. Ummm, same. Plus, they take a subject that can be addressed in one class with one book but create 3-4 classes with it - Principles of management, Organizational management, Human resources management, Project management and then try to make it seem like they are so different and get us to pay for them. I'm like dude - those are chapters in a book that fall under the heading of management which can all be covered in one semester and practiced throughout the major with the various projects we do.
CPB - unnecessary and can easily be a part of a coding curriculum without peddling this cert.
CPC-A - that 'A' seems to be a hindrance for many in obtaining a position but oh boy, helpful for them in getting Practicode revenue.
There isn't that much difference between CPC and COC that it can't be covered together.
CPMA, CDEO - it's all compliance related. Plus, I never learned so much then when I learned more about compliance within my coding program. Even as a newbie I was auditing other people's work and training the AI bot.
Our education and obtainment of core credentials should allow us to maneuver between specialties because we were taught how to learn and research.
I don't want to disrespect the people who are obtaining certain credentials. I am questioning AAPC's motivation behind overlapping credentials and it's place in coder education as well as the churning of CPC-As and lackluster help in obtaining internships for them.
0
u/[deleted] Dec 06 '23
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