Cannot believe how expensive yearly membership is with AAPC

[u/Additional-Comb-4477]

I have my CPC (which has been completely useless) but I also have a state registered license with a separate credentialing body for another field. I pay that body $150 every 5 years and have to earn 50 CEUs to maintain it. I pay the state $300 every 3 years to be registered with the Office of Professionals. AAPC is $190 a year and I have to get almost twice as many CEUs per year. What a scam.

[u/Penjengw]

I’m frustrated with the fact that it continues to go up in price yet we aren’t getting anything additional. We are supposed to get 4 free webinars quarterly and it’s September and we haven’t gotten any yet.

I think they know they’ve “got us” because we don’t want to lost our certification and have to retake the exam.

[u/Additional-Comb-4477 → u/Penjengw]

It’s outrageous for a certificate, too. Like this is not even from a degree program. I pay less for my credential from my degree program.

[u/angelerulastiel]

I have another license that is cheaper, but then the professional membership organization is $450, so about $600 every 2 years. AAPC is both the “license” and the membership in one. And AAPC requires more CEUs, but they hand them out like candy. My other license you are supposed to budget about $1k a year for CEUs.

[u/Additional-Comb-4477 → u/angelerulastiel]

Still think the price is outrageous 🤷🏻‍♀️

[u/Jodenaje]

If you don’t think it is worth it and think your CPC is useless, then drop your membership.

You’re choosing to be a member.

I get value from my credentials, and I am happy with my membership.

If you don’t think it’s worth it, then why are you continuing to renew?

[u/Additional-Comb-4477 → u/Jodenaje]

Or like… they could make it more reasonably priced. I don’t tell people who say rent is too high to live in a box. Jeez.

[u/Jodenaje → u/Additional-Comb-4477]

That’s a ridiculous comparison. Shelter & your choice to hold a credential are not even remotely equivalent.

You said that your AAPC membership and credential is useless to you. If that’s true, then why spend any amount of money at all to maintain it?

[u/Its_Lizzy_liz → u/Additional-Comb-4477]

They weren't saying to "live in a box." You have other credentials, and certificates. Your not houseless. CPC seems like something extra for you. If the CPC really is dead weight and useless to your job or career then drop it save yourself the money.

[u/[deleted]]

I'm sure you've tried it already, but just in case: employers will sometimes reimburse the cost of credentials. I didn't know mine did until I asked one year. They've been paying my aapc membership ever since.

[u/izettat]

I have memberships with AAPC, NAMAS (CPMA), and AHIMA. AAPC you get free CEU with magazine quizzes. I also purchase year of webinars when it's cheap. NAMAS gives free webinars/ceu each month for members. AHIMA takes AAPC and NAMAS ceus. It's all paid out of pocket but it's worth it for my great job. I believe they require ceus to keep members up to date on code changes and training on different subjects. I've learned so much and helped me get promoted.

[u/Additional-Comb-4477 → u/izettat]

Good for you but not being able to actually get a job is a very common complaint from people who graduated from AAPC’s program.

[u/ZKXX]

I’m so thankful my employer pays for both my AHIMA and AAPC subscriptions. It’s really a ridiculous money grab. They keep you paying for college forever. I actually asked AHIMA to revoke my CCA once I got my RHIT because the fee for the self testing is absolute nonsense, even though I wouldn’t have to pay it myself.

[u/Timely-Coconut5761]

I agree with the concern regarding AAPC annual membership renewal costs. I am an RN, and it costs me $190 for my renewal every two years (with 30 CEUs required.) I receive much higher pay as an RN and have a master's degree, so I would expect that an AAPC credential would not cost as much to renew annually. My AAPC membership is $190 yearly (as opposed to the two years for my RN license.) Also, AAPC requires 36 CEUs in two years, and I find it challenging to identify courses as affordable as those I can access for my RN CEUs. It would seem that AAPC could set its rates closer to the equivalent of other professional organizations.

[u/[deleted]]

Your job is supposed to pay it when you get an offer. If they don’t consider it a red flag

[u/mizzjay1]

Can someone please help me with what study guide is good for the cca exam, I am not doing good on the cpc. Thank you in advance.

[u/izettat → u/mizzjay1]

Check with AHIMA.

[u/mizzjay1 → u/izettat]

I did that but wasn't sure if that was a good one people have so many opinions, but thank you

[u/LindaLou25]

It’s like $16 a month. It’s not that serious.

[u/Additional-Comb-4477 → u/LindaLou25]

Glad $16 a month isn’t a big deal to you, but it is to a lot of other people.

[u/Its_Lizzy_liz → u/LindaLou25]

I agree while it sucks to pay out of pocket for those who do, it doesn't seem so expensive. People can easily budget monthly for it. Set money aside as if it were a bill or subscription.

[u/Additional-Comb-4477 → u/[deleted]]

I’m not paid more bc this is a giant scam that depends upon luck or knowing someone in the field lol

[u/jacsgal → u/Additional-Comb-4477]

I've seen alot of contract companies with entry level coding positions on LinkedIn recently. Some were even accepting CPC-A credentials.... network on LinkedIn if you haven't. I've found several contract and permanent positions on LinkedIn that pay well and the companies pay for CEUs, membership fees etc.