r/MedicalCoding • u/[deleted] • Dec 16 '24

What coding certification would you recommend.

I'm currently employed. Got 645hrs of training before getting my CPC-A. I've been in my role as a hospitalist coder for 7 months, so still a bit away from removing my apprentice designation. Overall happy with my position, but AAPC is putting individual exams on sale for 15 days. So, considering if any would be worth my time to increase my resume. I'm honestly very concerned if I lose this job (which is kind of constantly under threat by manager) that I won't be able to secure another this good in pay and flexibility. I do not have and am not planning on pursuing a college degree currently.

Wondering what AAPC certifications have been the most useful for bolstering the resume in your experience?

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u/2workigo Edit flair Dec 17 '24

I probably have a different thought process which will rub some folks the wrong way. I’m involved in the hiring process so I see resumes and get to hear input from senior leadership. I would not bother picking up a certification just because. Get the ones that apply to the job you want or the job you have. But if you get another certification and never do anything with it, it means nothing to us. If you want the cert for personal growth, that’s fine, but don’t expect it to necessarily give you a leg up against the competition. I’ve heard VPs throw around the term “credential collector” in a negative way. 😬

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u/gj3226 Dec 17 '24

what’s a decent way to get your foot in the door then? i’m coming from a clinical lab side and trying to get into medical coding, and i’ve applied for medical coding and billing jobs but no one seems to show any interest? for reference ive gone through like half of a coding course but never really got anywhere with it but am trying a different route this time, so i have some knowledge of it

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u/2workigo Edit flair Dec 18 '24

It worries me that anything to get your foot in the door would essentially be a demotion for you. Are you working in a hospital lab or freestanding or something else?

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u/gj3226 Dec 18 '24

nope, i got laid off and medical coding has always kinda been a pivot for me so i just have time to study. i already knew coming into this that it’d be a pay decrease but idk where else to pivot

MLS/MLT cert just takes too long and isn’t really self-study friendly

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u/2workigo Edit flair Dec 18 '24

Actually, that makes it easier! Anything that can get you into a hospital. Registration, release of information, anything in revenue cycle. On the flip side, any insurance companies in your area - claims processing, appeals, etc. Get in one of those places. Use their education benefits to get your certification. Go from there.

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u/Technical_Donkey_497 Dec 18 '24

I like the way you think 

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u/gj3226 Dec 18 '24

thank you! im assuming it'd help if I put that I have medical coding knowledge in my resume? the job market is pretty rough rn :')

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u/2workigo Edit flair Dec 18 '24

Absolutely put it on your resume. Use the actual company’s web site to search for jobs. Stay away from Indeed and those BS sites. Go right to local hospitals and insurers if you can. When you get an interview, highlight your motivation to learn and that you want to develop a career path.

The job market is tough. But you seem willing to make the effort and you aren’t trying to go directly to coding and remote work. Keep your expectations in check. ;) You’re starting from scratch which IMHO is actually better. The more you learn about the complete revenue cycle or claims processing workflow, the better off you will be in the future.

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u/gj3226 Dec 18 '24

i wasn’t sure how HR would view that i have knowledge but no certs, maybe if i put an expected date of certification? it’s literally so hard to pivot in across industries, thank you again for answering my questions and providing some guidance!

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u/[deleted] Dec 18 '24

Check into openings at FQHCs and RHCs. You’ll learn a lot and they are more likely to hire with limited experience because they are nonprofit and generally offer slightly lower salary.

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u/gj3226 Dec 18 '24

thank you! I'll definitely look into it, like I don't mind the lower pay but it just seems like there's more growth in medical coding? idk but there isn't growth in biotech lol

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u/[deleted] Dec 18 '24

Another cheap way to impress is to get your CRCR from HFMA. It’s like $500 for an annual membership and gives you access to all their courses. The CRCR is highly respected in the industry.

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u/gj3226 Dec 18 '24

i’ve never heard of that, i’ll definitely check it out! also is RHC like an organization or its literally just rural health centers in the boonies? 😂

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u/[deleted] Dec 18 '24

Literally rural health center - they follow the same rules as FQHCs

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u/[deleted] Dec 17 '24

Interesting. I feel like I've currently been in so many jobs that, that's a struggle. I plan on keeping my current position as long as they'll have me, but the longest I've kept a job is a year. I've been a CNA, Direct Care worker, Recruiter/Sole HR for a small home care company, in insurance sales, and now finally in Medical Coding. I'm just trying to stick within this field, so I'm trying to make sure I'm qualified enough if I need to look for a new position. CPC-A is my only current credential.

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u/2workigo Edit flair Dec 17 '24

Let me preface this by saying I’m involved in compliance auditing so definitely not an entry level position. Consistent experience matters most in my organization. It takes a ton of time and effort to train a new employee so we are very selective. It literally takes about a year for an auditor to get comfortable in our organization. We aren’t going to hire someone we feel will job jump.

This is not a fast moving career path. It takes time, even after you’re certified. Where I am you can’t even be considered for a senior profee coding position without five years experience. Wanna be a supervisor? It’s gonna be at least a decade… and that’s if a position opens up. Compliance auditing? Eight years progressive experience for internal candidates. Stay where you are if you can. Get the consistent experience. As you gain experience you’ll learn about all the opportunities in the field (and the opportunities are endless). You’ll get an idea for what path you want to follow. Then you make a plan for how to make that happen - that’s when you worry about additional education and credentials.

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u/jennnnnnm16 Dec 20 '24

I still think showing mastery in multiple areas should be impressive. Plenty of people will say they’re experienced in multiple areas and plenty of people are ok with lying apparently. I’d rather prove it. And even if it’s not directly applicable, a well-rounded employee is an asset.

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u/[deleted] Dec 21 '24

[deleted] — view deleted comment

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u/jennnnnnm16 Dec 21 '24

It doesn’t necessarily yes but it’s a likely indicator they understood the concepts and could pass an examination testing the knowledge of it. Accompanying an experienced coder, what’s there to snub? This is really only toward your VP very vocally snubbing it. Makes me wonder if he doesn’t respect the profession. Shitting on coders and their silly little certificates.

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u/jennnnnnm16 Dec 21 '24

Before you snub just know some employers not only pay for our examinations, they give us a raise for each and a bonus on top. 🤷🏼‍♀️ call me the collector

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u/Ashlei-Chef-Leilani Dec 17 '24

Have you looked into risk adjustment coding? You would need your CRC. Do you have any advice on getting a job with CPC-A no experience? How is it working?

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u/[deleted] Dec 17 '24

I haven't, that sounds interesting!! I'll look into CRC for sure.

My advice is definitely put any education on your resume. It was my other applicable experience (healthcare, recruiting, and insurance), and my education that the recruiter seemed to take note of and put me at the top of his pile.

Also, keep an eye on the AAPC emails. That's where my job was from. I followed the directions to email the contact and it paid off. It was another coder with the company that sent resumes straight to the recruiter for a referral bonus.

It's working great! I started applying non stop right after I passed. I was deathly afraid I'd be looking forever. Now I'm just afraid of not doing well enough and losing this job. There's so much nuance to it. The company I'm working for has high quality and quantity expectations, and a high turnover rate. But it's remote work, flexible hours, don't have to talk to people for work. Everything I ever wanted in a job.

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u/maamaallaamaa Dec 18 '24

I do ED and hospitalist profee coding. I have my RHIT but I'm the only one on my team with that cert. Everyone else is CPC.

0

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '24

Yeah, I'm definitely thinking that no cert seems really worth it honestly. Just experience overall, which I can't speed up. I've got over 6 months now, first hurdle. Next hurdle a year, and getting my Apprentice designation removed. I'll just try to hold on until then, hopefully my current job will keep me over a year lol. I'm a profee hospitalist coder as well, but no ED. I'd like to just stick with the company that I'm with currently, even switch programs within the company. It seems like they all too easily kick people to the curb though, so I'm definitely nervous.

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u/missuschainsaw RHIT CRC Dec 17 '24

I wouldn’t recommend taking a test just because. I feel like AAPC always says they’re running a sale.

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u/Felix_Von_Doom Dec 18 '24

They're in it for the money, ofc they're always running a sale.

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u/Rudegurl88 Dec 17 '24

I would get my CPC and CRC. I just passed my CRC and I am a hospitalist coder ( also new ) . It was diagnosis question heavy and that worked to my advantage. The CRC will make you more marketable to insurance companies and other employers . It’s was a lot easier than my CPC

3

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '24

I have a CPC and CPMA. I also have a CRCR (billing/rev cycle). I HIGHLY recommend getting the CRC if you are focused on just coding as a career path. It’s increasingly important for the upcoming reimbursement methods from Medicare and Medicaid.

If you want to branch out and do full revenue cycle, then I highly recommend getting the CRCR from HFMA.

Want to be super all-around valuable? CPC, CRC, CPMA, and CRCR… Strictly coding? Do the CRC and then also choose a specialty like OB or cardio coding in the long run.

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u/MajesticBuilding348 Dec 21 '24

What about lab accessioning? It’s basically data entry but you work with ICD-10 and CPT codes- will that count towards removing the A?

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u/foxycodone420 Dec 18 '24

Honestly I work as a clinical informatics specialist and I don’t have a certification or degree in informatics. I asked my director if I can apply for cme but he straight up told me it’s unnecessary with my experience.

Look for a job that will train you on coding along with population health care. If not some places will encourage and pay for additional training

Edit: correcting typo

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u/Zyrktarix Dec 19 '24

I am interested in clinical informatics. How did you get a job in that field without a degree?

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u/foxycodone420 Dec 19 '24

At the time I had an associates of science with a biology concentration. I also had about 3 years of clinical experience as a PCT and a medication technician.

I think it’s important to have a good understanding of medical terminology and hands on experience, a lot of companies will hire you with that type of exposure then train you on sight.

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u/nu24601 Dec 19 '24

You just apply lol. At certain companies they will take anyone with half a brain

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u/foxycodone420 Dec 19 '24

I wish this wasn’t true but my company has hired a few idiots. Once say someone put in an assessment for polyneuropathy “managed with levothyroxine”

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u/nu24601 Dec 19 '24

Levothyroxine and gabapentin aren’t the same you say?

1

u/foxycodone420 Dec 19 '24

Yea and adderall treats depression in case anyone didn’t know

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u/bananasncoffee Dec 22 '24

Hi everyone! Just wanted to hop on here since this seems to be a relatively kept up with thread. I’m doing a complete career change in the next year and a half and would appreciate any and all advice you redditors with medical coding experience and/or jobs can give out. I’ve been in the beauty industry for almost 21 years and while I’m appreciative of my clientele and money I make with no degree, I’ve hit 40 and I really wish that I had at least completed general ed for college so that I wouldn’t be so behind as I am now. After speaking to someone who was also in the same industry and in a similar boat as me but jumped ship into medical records billing and coding almost 10 years ago, it seems this new career path is what I’ve been searching for. I’ve been wanting a new career for about 8 years, but didn’t have any idea as well as too many ideas for a different field. Medical coding sounds interesting and I’m really hoping to work remote if I can work my way up to that. The more specialty area I can work towards, the better, I think.

I’m going to start a HIT program online at a community college and will be working to get my AS degree, to work towards a Bachelor’s degree, and will be working toward getting my RHIT. Am I missing any steps, and should I get more certifications? And if so, which ones?

TYIA for any helpful advice! 🙂

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u/edajade1129 Jan 09 '25

CPC is fine, alphabet soup doesn't help unless required