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.

The Difference Between A CPC And A CCS Credential

If you’re looking to get into the field of medical coding and find yourself pondering the distinction between a CPC and CCS, you’re in the right field. After all, medical coding is all about critical thinking and meticulous attention to detail, so good job!

Both CPCs and CCSs are types of coding certification you can acquire through official educational programs. Beginners in the coding field are universally encouraged to seek either certification because both are generalized and thorough in coding, anatomy, terminology, and policies. Both certifications are recognized throughout the world and stand firmly in the job market.

However, they differ in many respects, and these differences will help you choose which is right for you:

• A CPC is recognized by the AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) as a “Certified Professional Coder.” A CCS is recognized by the AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) as a Certified Coding Specialist.
• CPC certification primarily focuses on coding in outpatient contexts (typically when a patient is discharged within 24 hours, as in a doctor’s office), whereas CCS certification focuses on inpatient contexts (typically when a patient stays at a medical facility until recovery).
• CPC certification is the standard expectation of professional coders and has a higher pass rate. CCS certification, on the other hand, is equally as popular among coders but less expected and more difficult to obtain.

It makes sense that a CPC is more popular, given that a majority of medical visits are not lengthy stays in a hospital; instead, a great number of visits are check-ups, vaccinations, dental cleanings, and other one-time stops. It also makes sense that a CCS is more difficult to obtain because an inpatient case generates lengthier reports, increasing the amount of information a coder must work through to codify and bill a patient’s insurance provider.

One alternative is to go for a CPC-H which is the AAPC certification for hospital work. Much like the CSS is focused primarily on inpatient situations a CPC-H can also offer a more focused approach and can sometimes help you land better paying jobs in a hospital or large practice.

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!

Can You Work In Medical Coding Without Being A Member Of The AAPC

A person hoping to break into the medical coding field must not be a stranger to endurance, as the studying, certification, and training process is vigorous and filled with thorough testing and evaluations. In order to become a medical coder, you have to obtain official certification that qualifies you in the field. This requirement however is not a legal requirement but is simply required by virtually every reputable recruiter.

There are two main types of certification that employers will accept: one from the AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) or the other from AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association). Because both organizations are recognized and both of their certifications are respected in the medical community, it is up to you which organization you go through to obtain certification.

AAPC membership is popular among medical coders, leading prospective coders wondering if AAPC membership is necessary to break into the field. The short answer is “No.” The long answer, fortunately, is no more complicated than that.

In reality, AAPC membership is a good thing to have due to the numerous benefits. For instance, a member has access to online forum discussions and similar tools to network to other coding professionals. A member also receives exclusive discounts on conferences and coding books to keep fresh in their profession as well as job placement resources.

If you’re looking into medical coding but haven’t yet worked toward certification, becoming an AAPC member can help you acquire the tools to become certified. For instance, the organization has designed its own study and exam materials to make the process smooth and comprehensible for you.

Ultimately, there are countless methods through which to get into medical coding, and there are countless strategies and resources you can employ to help your chances at succeeding professionally. Aside from joining the AAPC or AHIMA you can always take a coding course and get a certificate from any one of the many schools offering medical coding programs. Some employers will be fine with this but many will look for the actual credential that you can only get with membership status.

AAPC membership should be considered as one of these strategies or resources rather than being regarded as the sole asset in your career but you shouldn't write membership off as unnecessary just yet.

When Is The AAPC National Conference Typically Held?

The AAPC, or American Academy of Professional Coders, holds a national conference annually for its members . Held in major cities (such as Dallas, Minneapolis, and Las Vegas) typically in the springtime, the annual nation conference is the major event for the AAPC. During the majority of the calendar year, the association operates in regions, but the several-day conference allows members from all over the country to come together and share planned activities.

Examples of such activities are workshops, presentations, and breakout sessions. Since the first conference in 1993, the purpose of the AAPC national conference is to honor the efforts of chapters as well as to encourage its members to network among one another for professional development.

The 2012 AAPC conference was held in Las Vegas, Nevada and was the 20th annual conference. The official AAPC website boasts the following as highlights of the conference:

• Reed Pew, president and CEO of the AAPC, addressed attendees about changes the medical coding industry faces regarding technology and other developments. He encouraged optimism and forward thinking, fostering morale among attendees.
• Physicians made a series of presentations on human anatomy, employing technology (gadgets and media) to display the cutting edge of physiology.
• The annual Local Chapter Spirit Award went to Region Four, recognizing the work of AAPC members from six different states/territories.

The next event, the 2013 National Conference, will be held in Orlando, Florida at Walt Disney World’s own Colorado Springs Resort. Scheduled to run from April 14th to the 17th, next year’s national conference is sure to engage and enlighten medical coders from around the United States.

Fortunately, for those who cannot make it to the national conference, regional conferences also provide workshops and breakout sessions. While smaller in scale and attendance, regional conferences also boast good reviews and effective program planning. The 2012 AAPC Regional Conference is scheduled for late this October, so hurry and register now if you’re available!