How Many CPC CEUs Do I Need Every Year To Stay Certified?

First of all, congratulations on being a certified coder! This not only means you display the aptitude for mastering the length, in-depth material but also made a commitment to preparing yourself. As you likely expected, learning coding material once isn’t sufficient if you expect to maintain positive employment. That same spirit of preparing for examination must continue throughout your career if you desire steady employment and chances to advance.

You Have To Keep Learning With CEUs

This is because medical coding is a constantly changing environment, as new codes are added and old codes are scrapped constantly. Technological advancements increase the amount of medical research existing, so coders need to be just as adaptable by the time that ripples of change reach them.

Thus, CEUs were born. CEU stands for “continuing education unit,” and it is a practical means through which coders demonstrate determination to stay afloat regarding new coding information. You can obtain CEUs through attending events approved by the AAPC as enriching, instructing at a post-secondary school (with pre-approval), or completing post-secondary course work. In short you need to complete continuing education for every medical coder's certification you hold.

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) strives to make CEUs as simple as possible for its certified coders, providing several online tools to help its coders establish CEU approval and track their units. The purpose of CEUs works well alongside the AAPC’s mission to create a community of coders; the organization promotes workshops, presentations, and other events that help coders stay current while meeting one another and developing long-lasting rapport.

You have to earn a certain number of CEUs semi-annually to maintain your certification, and the number depends on how many certifications you hold. If you hold one certification, you require 36 CEUs every two years. Two certifications require 48 CEUs, three certifications require 60 CEUs, four certifications require 72 CEUs, and five or more require 80 CEUs.

Rather than looking at these requirements as a burden, approach them as an opportunity to retain that youthful studiousness that landed you these certifications in the first place... and if you only hold one single certification you may want to consider getting a second advanced certification. The CPC-H for instance is a good way to improve your resume and possibly increase your earning power as a medical coder.

How Much Does It Cost To Maintain AAPC Certification?

There are many questions a medical coder, current or aspiring, must ask his or herself. “Am I capable in the field?” “Does it interest me?” “What will it require of me, and am I prepared to do those things?”

Any job comes with its share of expectations, but many pale in comparison to those of medical coders. Although coders typically enjoy a steady work environment with normal weekday hours, medicine (and healthcare at large) is a constantly changing landscape; progressive scientific research and adapting policies create a necessity for all its workers to keep current with these changes.

A certified medical coder spends months preparing for the examination that certifies him or her, but the expectation of learning continues. This is where CEUs come in, also known as “continuing education units.” CEUs are the AAPC’s (American Academy of Professional Coders) way of gauging whether a coder is staying current. The more certifications a coder holds, the more units he or she is required to acquire on a two-year basis.

A major concern of obtaining CEUs regularly to stay certified is the cost. Workshops and conferences – regarded as the best ways to earn CEUs – can become rather expensive and reach into hundreds of dollars. But fear not! All is not lost, as there are several recognized ways to earn CEUs without spending too much money. Because the number of units required depends on number of certifications and the cost depends on what you choose, we’ll simply provide some options as food for thought:

• AAPC official 3-hour workshop (6 CEUs): $149 for members, $189 for non-members
• AAPC audio conference (2 CEUs): $149 for members, $189 for non-members
• AAPC national/regional conferences (up to 20 CEUs): anywhere between $300 and $600

Here are some free methods:

• Local chapter meetings (I CEU/hour)
• Complete self-test in monthly Coding Edge magazine and newsletter EdgeBlast (up to 12 CEUs/year)

Are All Medical Coding Vendor's Approved With The AAPC?

As if studying for medical coding certification wasn’t tough enough, a coder who passes not only faces the job market – which, although favorable for coders, is still in a bit of a dip – but also faces the requirements to maintain certification. Depending on how many certifications a coder possesses, he or she is required to complete a certain amount of continued education units (CEUs) every two years to stay certified.

Here’s a quick idea of the CEU requirements per the AAPC:

• One certification = 36 CEUs every two years
• Two certifications = 48 CEUs every two years
• Three certifications = 60 CEUs every two years
• Four certifications = 72 CEUs every two years
• Five certifications or more = 80 CEUs every two years

There are dozens of possibilities for obtaining CEUs, such as conferences, webinars, and teaching (or completing) post-secondary course work. Any organization providing these CEUs is considered a vendor, and one fact is absolutely essential to earning CEUs: not all vendors are approved by the AAPC.

(Below is a link to the AAPC’s official website and its page addressing approved vendors. This page features a tool that allows the user to browse approved CEU vendors or search a vendor or event to see if it is currently approved.)

http://www.aapc.com/medical-coding-education/vendors/index.aspx

Any conferences, workshops, or webinars hosted by the AAPC (naturally) approved means of earning CEUs. Anything else, for the sake of the coder, should be verified as approved. Visiting the above link is one method, and another is consulting and networking with fellow coders and addressing vendors directly for proof of AAPC approval.

For the anxious coder, a quick browse through the approved list online will show that there are countless numbers of activities and vendors he or she can approach for CEUs. After all, it shouldn’t be a limiting burden but a boundless opportunity!

Is Continuing Education Required For Medical Coders

With the mass popularization of higher education, the Western world has exploded with hundreds of degree and certification programs. From Mayan art to micro-financing, virtually every subject comes with a program of study that is meant either to enrich people’s understanding of the subject or to help people advance themselves professionally within a field.

Medical coders typically undergo medical coursework – learning anatomy and procedures – as well as coding coursework. They then often obtain certification from the AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) or the AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association). Once employed, medical coders ask themselves if they need continued education.

First, the answer depends on the definition of “education.” If education refers to official coursework from an institution that can be verified through documentation, the answer is “No, it isn’t required.”

However (isn’t there always a “however”?), continued learning is required without a doubt if you want to stay relevant and maintain your CPC certification(s).

The AAPC and AHIMA both agree that medical professionals have a responsibility to keep up to date on their medical knowledge in order to best treat patients. Both organizations offer formalized courses and workshop events through which members can keep themselves current on developments in the medical field.

To stay certified by the AAPC for instance you need to complete certain approved continuing education units (CEUs) every two years. Without completing these CEUs you can lose your active certification. Depending on how many credentials you have you will have to complete more of less CEUs every two years.

Medical coding is a constantly evolving field (as is medicine in general), so it’s always a good idea to be not only open to further learning but to take every opportunity to learn.

Here are a few of the easiest (and least painful!) ways to continue education while in medical coding:

• Participate in workshops and conferences. Offered regularly by AAPC membership, coding events allow you to see and interact with presentations on cutting-edge developments.
• Develop rapport with fellow coders. Never underestimate the power of personal relationships; you can easily pick up pieces of knowledge from colleagues.
• Register in an online coding community. Also often offered by association memberships, online communities are a quick and efficient way to pick up information that will help you develop your work.

Remember, continuing education in your field is always helpful for your career but it has to be approved, verified, and recorded with the AAPC for them to keep your certification level active. Make sure to take this step whenever you complete CEUs and try to spread your CEUs over the course of two years. It makes things easier and less stressful on you later.