What's the Difference Between Outpatient and Inpatient Coding? It's probably a good idea to figure that out first. You know you're interested in medical coding, but you aren't sure where you fit. In other words, get AAPC coding certification for outpatient work and AHIMA coding certification for inpatient work.īut maybe you haven't gotten that far yet. If you're already committed to either an inpatient or outpatient setting, you should probably go with the organization more closely associated with that kind of work.
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Should You Get AHIMA or AAPC Coding Certification? Choosing where to get your initial certification doesn't "lock you in" to that organization or even to a particular career path. It's important to realize that most medical coders have certifications from both organizations. AHIMA's health information certifications are probably better suited to larger organizations like hospitals. AAPC has a number of relevant certifications for auditing and practice management in a physician's office. If you want to advance into administration, then the setting will dictate your choice. No equivalent certifications are available through AHIMA. If you want to advance your career into coding for a particular medical specialty, like cardiology, then you'll want a specialty certification from AAPC. The bigger differences come later in your career. It may be easier to get hired if you're credentialed with the "right" organization. That means AAPC is still more popular in outpatient settings and AHIMA is still more popular for inpatient settings. However, many employers still base their hiring preferences on what's familiar. Some employers accept the right kind of certification from either organization equally. AHIMA now has CCS for hospitals and CCS-P for physician-based practices.Īt this point, many people argue that the distinction is minimal when you're starting out. AAPC now has CPC certification for physician's offices, COC certification for outpatient hospitals and surgical centers, and CIC for inpatient hospitals. In recent years, they've expanded their offerings. AAPC coding has historically been associated with outpatient services, while AHIMA coding was associated with inpatient facilities. There are many small differences between the organizations, but the significant differences lie in what jobs they train you for.Īlthough both organizations offer inpatient and outpatient programs now, they used to specialize. What is the Difference Between AHIMA and AAPC? You can find training programs and exam preparation resources for both, as well. They're both computer-based and similar in length and cost, though the CPC exam is slightly longer. Both, at this point in their growth, offer certifications that cover inpatient and outpatient coding practices.īoth CPC and CCS exams test your ability to properly apply medical codes. They use the same medical coding systems, namely CPT and HCPCS codes for medical procedures and services and ICD codes for medical diagnoses.īoth organizations offer somewhat separate designations for relatively new coders and more experienced coders so that your resume can reflect your level of experience as well as competence.
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What Do AHIMA and AAPC Have in Common?īoth organizations can provide well-respected certification of your professional knowledge and skills. The most popular AHIMA credential is Certified Coding Specialist (CCS). They offer roughly half a dozen certifications, mostly focused on coding and health information management. What is AHIMA Certification?ĪHIMA stands for the American Health Information Association. The most popular AAPC credential is Certified Professional Coder (CPC). They also offer certifications for medical billing, auditing, documentation, compliance, and practice management. They offer over a dozen different certifications for medical coding in different facilities and specialties. What is AAPC Certification?ĪAPC stands for the American Association of Professional Coders. Let's break down the similarities and differences so you can choose the training program and credential that will set you up for success. Add in the acronyms for each organization's certification programs, and it quickly turns into a confusing alphabet soup.
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They're each considered the gold standard for coding certification, but it can be hard to figure out the difference between them.
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There are two organizations that will stand out in your research: AAPC and AHIMA. One of the first things you'll learn is that professional certification is highly recommended.
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If you're considering a career as a professional medical coder, one of your first goals is to figure out the qualifications or credentials that will help you break into the business.