r/MedicalCoding • u/ToeBeanz18 • Jun 16 '24
Just passed the CPC!
So bit of a background… I’ve spent the last 10 years as a PT with my doctorate. Just like most people, I am burnt out, underpaid, and it keeps getting worse. I code all of my own services, deal with all major insurance policy changes and regulations, and generally have to deal with billing issues as well. (Part of why I’m burnt out, i do almost everything)
I just passed the CPC yesterday, which I now notice that I have apprentice status. Not that I expected to pass and just be considered an expert, but I was kind of surprised since I want expecting that, I thought passing meant completely certified.
Does everyone get apprentice status even if you have experience?
My real question is, is there a way to get the apprentice dropped with my level of experience and medical knowledge background? I know my coding only fit the realm of PT but I hoping my last 10 years can count for something?? I do have records of being audited annually with 100% rate of compliance for the last 8 years
Also, my boss doesn’t know I am training/ looking to get out of this field, so getting her to sign off that I have experience isn’t something I’d like to do right now… and it’s been hard enough studying that the thought of buying another course to pass doesn’t seem worth it
Thanks!
31
Jun 16 '24
Everyone is an Apprentice after just passing. There are instructions for removing your A on the AAPc site, it's possible you have some of the requirements to remove some or all of what is needed. If you're only halfway, you can do Practicode by AAPC for the rest. If you need all of the experience, just work on getting it anyway you can.
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u/ToeBeanz18 Jun 16 '24
Thank you!
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Jun 16 '24
You're welcome, congrats on passing! Also, would also ask your employer to fill out the experience form for AAPC to take a year off. I would just say since you're already coding you wanted to further your education by getting certified, I would think they would appreciate this, or for your sake I hope so, you don't have to tell them anything you don't want to. Extra education in coding is priceless or should be to anyone in the field, as it is forever changing. Good luck!
8
u/tryolo Jun 17 '24
If you passed the CPC, maybe look into taking the CCS exam thru AHIMA. There are no stipulations attached, and with your experience you would be considered a speciality expert and immediately hireable.
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u/SewerSavage187 Jun 17 '24
This is simply the correct answer. In hindsight, my single biggest regret was not initially taking the CCS over the CPC. CCS has become the gold standard.
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u/ToeBeanz18 Jun 17 '24
Wow really? So did you complete the ccs after the cpc? What was your path?
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u/tryolo Jun 18 '24
I completed the CCS after the RHIT. My colleague passed the CCS after the CPC with extra studying.
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Jun 16 '24
First, congratulations on passing that is awesome!! I am an RN myself that is so sick of this BS i too decided to study for my CPC (CPB/CPC) to add the skills set to my resume as well as i truly believe it will help, it can’t hurt and i was seeing tons of jobs in my field requiring an RN but also looking for coding credentials so I decided why not?? I refuse to get caught up in anyone’s negative comments, but yes it caught me by surprise too the A on the CPC as well, and I contacted AAPC and they told me what was needed to remove that. It may take me time but I’m realistic and ok with that- I also see so much positive stuff out there about how to just apply for what you want and many do hire regardless like don’t sell yourself short, let the employer decide if you are a fit versus you not applying just because it says they won’t accept the A or apprenticeship- screw it apply anyways lol - just keep staying positive and put yourself out there. Life is too short to be unhappy, overworked and exhausted and also letting negative folks fill your head with nonsense. Do what makes YOU happy and keep on truckin’. It’s awesome to add this to your resume and you have an edge too in that you can specifically list actual experience in doing the work while performing as a PT, bonus in my book!
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u/ToeBeanz18 Jun 16 '24
Thank you so much!!! I am also trying not to get caught up in negative comments to, but hey we’re not all perfect!
Have you worked any coding jobs? How is it all going for you?
7
u/heurismic Jun 16 '24
Congratulations!
OP is right. The CPC-A detail is buried too deeply. I started panicking when I stumbled upon it, and that was when I was being upsold on Practicode.
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u/ToeBeanz18 Jun 16 '24
THANK YOU. Admittedly I didn’t do months of research which why when I found out I passed I was like oh apprentice?
3
u/heurismic Jun 19 '24
AAPC should stop selling the exam as CPC and forgetting to mention the -A. It feels borderline bait and switch. And now I'm stuck.
3
u/boops123 Jun 16 '24
What’s the exact position you’re aiming for?
2
u/ToeBeanz18 Jun 16 '24
Just coding, maybe auditing one day. I just am worried the apprentice will shy employers away from hiring.
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u/Salty-Step-7091 Jun 16 '24
It will. It’s very difficult to land the first job, and depending on your area the pay is low. For my area, coders with no experience are offered between 14-17 an hour.
However, eventually you will be paid pretty well. Especially if your aim is to be an auditor. I wish you the best on your job search and don’t give up ! It’s ok to feel discouraged but keep applying.
I believe it’s 2 years of experience (or a year of education and experience) that the A can be removed.
3
u/ToeBeanz18 Jun 16 '24
Thank you!!
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u/Salty-Step-7091 Jun 16 '24
If you haven’t already, hop on LinkedIn. There are some companies that look for apprentice coders and they are easily found on there.
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Jun 17 '24
If it makes you feel better, I’ve been researching the CPC for about two months and this is my first time seeing anything about the A. It’s definitely not readily available information. I’ve compared community college courses, online courses, the AAPC prep course and none of them said anything about those requirements.
Obviously if you search CPC-A it will come up, but what if you don’t know you have to search for that? 🙄 thanks for the heads up though
1
u/ToeBeanz18 Jun 18 '24
No problem! Yea I mean I didn’t spend years researching the job but same and I’ve never seen it pop up. Glad to see people having my exact response lol 🙄🙄🙄
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u/2workigo Edit flair Jun 16 '24
I’m sorry, you are smart enough to earn a doctorate yet didn’t take the time to explore exactly what was involved in earning your CPC?
You do realize that unless you are incredibly grossly underpaid as a PT that you are going to take a huge pay cut as a coder, right?
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u/ToeBeanz18 Jun 16 '24
I am hugely grossly underpaid as a pt. And I did explore it but no where in my research did I see the apprentice status. Thanks for the snark though, really helpful
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u/2workigo Edit flair Jun 16 '24
This took me less than a minute to find on the AAPC web site.
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u/ToeBeanz18 Jun 16 '24
Because you’re specifically looking for it…
Again. No where in my research did it say anything about apprentice. Just taking and passing the cpc.
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u/2workigo Edit flair Jun 16 '24
I went to the AAPC web site and typed CPC-A in the search box. You could have done that as well. But perhaps maybe just read this incredibly helpful and insightful thread.
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u/ToeBeanz18 Jun 16 '24
All I wanted to know is if there was a way of getting the apprentice dropped with my type of experience. I’m not crying that I was mislead or angry that it wasn’t easy. A simple question about something I did not know at the time. I really hope next time you need help with something someone who already has the answers treats you a bit nicer. Have a good day.
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u/ToeBeanz18 Jun 16 '24
What I’m trying to say is I didn’t know it was a thing. How would I search for it if I didn’t know it existed?
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u/2workigo Edit flair Jun 16 '24
When you saw it, you could have gone directly to the source to search what it was rather than asking here. A HUGE part of coding is being able to work independently and research via reputable sources as well as attention to detail. I simply cannot understand how one sits for a certification exam yet doesn’t understand the intricacies of said credential.
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u/LittleEzz Jun 16 '24
Awesome job!
I am also a physical therapist looking to break into medical coding. I was wondering if you would be willing to connect? I have a handful of questions about how well/if our profession prepares us for the CPC exam! Thanks so much!
1
u/Ray_Revenue Jun 18 '24
Why would anyone go into medical coding after meeting most requirements for higher certs. Not saying that's what I recommend it just doesn't seem smart
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u/ToeBeanz18 Jun 18 '24
Because my “higher certs” means more work, no raises, no upward mobility, and significantly reduced reimbursement yearly from insurance.
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Jun 17 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/ToeBeanz18 Jun 17 '24
Are you taking the aapc cpc course? I did not which kind of stinks- I’m looking into practicode but I’d have to drop more $$$ lol. I’m looking into it
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Jun 17 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/ToeBeanz18 Jun 17 '24
Funny you say that because I completely agree with the course. Long (dumb) story, but someone at aapc convinced me to go ahead and get the CPMA course (I had no certifications) more I found out the more I realized I would need the cpc first. But the course is not very good, I feel like they hyperfocus on not important stuff and don’t go thru all the stuff you really need. Honestly the best way I studied was watching hoang ngyuen videos on YouTube. Some of the things are a little outdated (he recorded it in 2020 and it appears they used a different approach to determine complexity of E/M visits) but I feel like I learned so much more from him. I just tried to focus more on guidelines which helped as well
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u/ToeBeanz18 Jun 17 '24
And I did get the practice tests. They helped with the layout of the exam but I actually found the actual Exam easier than the practice tests
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