Q&A CCA or CPC

[Tammy Rhodes Miller]

How do you decide what is the best certification for you? I know one is more for a hospital and the other more for outpatient but what if you want to be able to do either ... and what if you want to look into more advanced or specialized certifications later which one is the best one to start out with.... I have read thru what I have found on the sites for AAPC and AHIMA and am still very undecided .... Is there a good course of action for further certifications? Like if I wanted to specialize in surgical or pediatric coding or if I decide I want to go after an RHIA or RHIT .... Is there a good course to follow to work up to those certification in the future???

Thanks for any help

 

[Lori Woods]

Hey Tammy, No one knows which is best for you. It is true AHIMA seems more geared to inpatient & AAPC to outpatient, but there are 22 specialty credentials at AAPC alone. You could just pick whichever interests you most or what you do well in such as E/M or fractures, hearts etc. I was happy to see that maintaining a specialty will be easier
Bonus: Maintaining an AAPC specialty credential just got easier. Specialty CEUs now count towards both your specialty credential and your CPC®, CPC-H® or CPC-P®. This cuts down on cost and your time to complete CEUs!
It is so hard to choose as there are a whole list of jobs that use coding here is just a partial list so you see why it would be hard to answer that question.
Lori Craig Woods
Claims processor
Office Manager
Release of Information
Chart Processor
Coder
Biller
Billing Representative
Billing Coordinator
Clinical Documentation Specialist
Physician Documentation Specialist
Charge Master
Compliance Data Analyst
Compliance Coder
Reimbursement coding specialist
Health Information coder
Physician Coder
DRG Coder
DRG Coordinator
Medical Records coder
Physician coding compliance specialist
Revenue Integrity
Self-pay medical collector
Entry level billing
Entry level coding
Physician Billing Representative
Patient Financial Representative
Account Receivable representative
Accounts Receivable Specialist
A/R biller
Insurance Biller
Insurance Representative
Registrar
Front Office Coordinator
Precertification Representative
Collector
Customer Service Representative
Dental Tracker
Health Services Representative
Insurance Authorizations
Intake Coordinator
Clinic Manager
Scheduler/Coordinator
Office Administrator
Prepayment Review Representative
Medical Billing Specialist
Coding Technician
Billing Technician
Customer Service Resolution Associate
Medicare Representative
Admissions Representative
Charge Entry Specialist
Insurance Coordinator
Front office Coordinator
Senior patient Services Representative
Representative Account Billing Specialist
Collections Representative
Medical Insurance Claims Specialist
Technical Support Analyst
Front Office Rep-Clinic
Patient Financial Service Representative
Provider Services Call Center
Front Office Assistant
Insurance Verification
Health Insurance Specialist
Billing Data Entry Operator
Health Information Technician
Medical Records Support Services Assistant
Chargemaster Analyst
Eligibility Advocate
Member Relationship Specialist
Medical Records Clerk
Customer Account Representative
Suspended Billing Representative
Appeals Specialist
Payment Review Representative
Medical Office Billing Administrative Assistant
Medicare Insurance Follow-Up Representative
Revenue Integrity Analyst
Facility Coder
Outpatient Coder

JOB TITLES IN CODING FIELD!!!!
Good luck in choosing as you are not the only one who is not sure what to do next lol. I'm hoping Laureen will have a book for that soon though lol.

 

[Ruth Sheets]

Lori, That is quite a list! Some good keywords to search on when trying to find job openings.

 

[Lori Woods]

Specialty Medical Coding Certification

Designed for experienced coders, the AAPC's specialty credentials enable coders to demonstrate superior levels of expertise in their respective specialty disciplines. These specialty credentials are stand-alone certifications with no requirement to hold the CPC® credential. They allow coders to validate their knowledge in a specialty with unique coding, reimbursement and compliance challenges.
Specialty exams aptly measure preparedness for “real-world” coding by being operative/patient-note based. In addition to questions regarding the correct application of ICD-9-CM, CPT®, HCPCS Level II and modifier coding assignments, examinees will also be tested on specialty-specific coding and regulations.

 

[Carolyn Heath]

Can a CPC-A go for a specialty exam?

 

[Lori Woods]

Can a CPC-A go for a specialty exam?

It seems there is no eligibility requirement. It says you don't even have to be a CPC first.
Requirements

• Must schedule examination three weeks in advance
• Must have current AAPC membership
• While there is no requirement, we strongly recommend that the candidate has at least two years of experience in the specialty. Please be aware that these are difficult, high-level examinations not meant for individuals with little, limited or no coding experience

 

[Carolyn Heath]

Thanks, Lori!