It seems like a money pit with all of the renewal of credentials as well as the membership renewal. As if the cost of the course and the exam isn’t expensive enough. It’s hard to secure an entry level position with the apprenticeship. It really makes a beginner feel very discouraged and frustrating. That’s why beginners feel intimidated and want to throw in the tile, but we must continue to thrive 🎉❤
I'm thinking of going through AHIMA only for the simple fact that AAPC is not as common in my location. I am paying and learning this on my own, I want the best for my buck right out of the gate. I loved this video. I set the reminder and everything.. You are really out here motivating people to do what needs to be done. Thank You, BLEU!
Your videos are so great! I have credentials with both AHIMA and AAPC. Started with AHIMA for the same reasons you stated. I personally prefer AAPC as an organization itself but AHIMA seems to be more recognized with hospitals. I am seeing more hospitals asking for CCS or CPC though which definitely wasn’t the case 10-15 years ago. I am loving that facilities are starting to finally recognize both organizations.
Again I Love your videos. You are an inspiration to me. I was in Car business for 18 but due to two shoulder surgeries I was unable to do my job. DOR paid for my education. Ed2go partnered with AAPC. I love AAPC. Thank you for your videos. I am 61 and I find this very exciting. I wish I would have done it 15 years ago.
Thanks for sharing and I totally agreed! I was brand new to the medical coding community! I received my training from AAPC I had terminology 3 times. One as a CNA, AAS Degree and AAPC! Maybe I should take it over with AHIMA! I'm sure I will past the CPC exam the first time!🙂💙
I’m hold 3 credentials through AAPC and taking my exam to become an approved instructor but I’m Also taking my CCS and I think they both great organizations. Neither are better than the other but I think AHIMA opens more doors but I’m an SME in outpatient and documentation and I haven’t been in the industry for 6+ years
@@g.d.9619 Study all sections of the CPT, HCPCS, and ICD 10, Study your med terminology, anatomy, business medicine, and GUIDELINES. I highly recommend getting the CPC study guide. For the coding part, PRACTICE AND TIME YOURSELF!!!!!!!! You might find some cases online, but in the study guide, they have cases you can practice on as well.
Your videos are very helpful, I enjoy your insight and examples. I've been entering provider charges for 10 years now and I want to learn coding. I work closely with the coders already and I know I'd be good at it. I'm 54 but never stop learning, right?
AAPC works for me because the coding jobs in my area primarily list the AAPC Creditionals. There are also four local AAPC Chapters in my area and I didn't discover one of the chapters in my area until later on because I didn't realize that it was in my area.
I’m going to school for RHIT and I’m a CPC-A and let me tell you the teaching is different through a institution. I feel like a fish out of water. Coding is tough incorporated in a degree program.
Congrats on going for a degree program I have my RHIT and am now studying for my RHIA this is a wonderful field with so many different career paths to explore the wonderful thing about having the RHIT/RHIA is that you have a multi-faceted skill set and an work a diverse range of HIM jobs. I love coding but I like knowing that if i want to choose a different career path in HIM I can this is why I love AHIMA. best of luck to you!!!
I am trying to go back to it at the college here in my town and now I have to take 6 more classes plus anatomy and medical terminology again. I am overwhelmed just thinking about it :(
I prefer AHIMA but that is only because of my own personal choices in that I want to have multiple credentials not just in coding such as the RHIA, CDIP, and the CHDA I want to be able to learn and have opportunities in all avenues of HIM and have that diverse skill set but that is just me AAPC is also a very good organization it all just depends on what your goals are
Hi Bleu! I love your videos! Thanks for all the amazing info! I am currently an LPN looking to get CCS certified through AHIMA. Their website has me a little confused. They state on their website all of the things that are recommended but not required to take the CCS exam but then on the printable pdf of certification requirements it lists all of the same prerequisites as required and not optional. Such as A&P, pharm and experience or study in coding. I have done the A&P and pharm in my LPN program, but I haven’t had any courses in coding. I was just going to invest in one of Ahima’s study books on coding but I’m wondering which one is accurate? Maybe, there is a number on their website that I can call and find out? Thanks for any suggestions you might have.
Please see this video ruclips.net/video/wpW9kjYKryk/видео.html It has my recommendations on books to learn coding. Obviously, you can skip the medical terminology, a&p, but the books to learn diagnosis coding and procedure coding is there. If you find another book you like, by all means but that's what I recommend anyway. Yes, AHIMA has theirs but you can use any book to learn from. You just have to make sure you have the appropriate manuals to take the test with. I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Thank you for watching!
Folks can go through either/or as both are widely accepted everywhere, doesn't matter who dominates in the area. I just shared my experience since folks asked why I chose AHIMA.
I love your information videos as always, you've helped me a lot. Question I have is going in for my credential, I really want to just be set and not have to keep going back and forth taking test because it's so much money out of pocket. So I was thinking of getting my CPC but now I see even greater benefits with COC, what is your suggestion regarding which one to get to be set? Or should I just get my CPC then get my COC afterwards?
Congrats Bleu and thank you for this vids! I just found out that my school will do AHIMA and I'm whaaatttt?lol...Is there any practice exan test under AHIMA? Would it be ok to know the website?
Hi Bleu, I've just been propositioned by a woman that I know about starting the training. She was talking to me a little about the program and being a part of her team and then she asked me about being in an affiliate program.. After talking to her I felt really skeptical about the whole thing.. do you have any advice for me.. I've been binging your videos, by the way! New Subscriber!
Thank you for watching.... I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about. Affiliate for what? Are you a medical coder already? There's more questions I have than the information I've been given.... not really sure what to say. But I appreciate you watching! Thank you for your support. I hope it works out for you.... and always listen to your gut... if it's telling you it's shady, it probably is.
Hi. Thank you for your video and advice. Can anyone tell me what would be a good choice to work from home/remotely, AHIMA CCA or AAPC CPC? I am homebound/restricted. Are there homebased openings and opportunities immediately after getting certified? Anyone please let me know, I would be grateful. I was a doctor physician many years ago in Asia and now live in California for over 10 years now by the way so any advice related to location would also be helpful. I could not pursue medical residency and now I'm a very old graduate and missed that opportunity. I am middle aged.
Hello bleu do you what the difference is between a medical coder and medical coding assistant a community college here in California offers the medical coding assistant program and prepares students for the AAPC. even if the program prepares students for the AAPC can one still go with AHIMA instead? After watching some of your videos I want to become a medical coder but most programs in private colleges like platt college for example are so expensive and is not that I don't want to invest in myself but I don't have the fund and can't afford to have more debt does any one have school recommendations that are affordable in the LA county area?
I love ur videos very informative, but my question is I'm taking the medical coding specialist class and I look at the requirements and one say I have to have a valid cpr card and my question is why do I have to have a valid cpr certification for the internship
When you work on a medical environment, sometimes, they want to make sure everyone knows how to perform basic life saver tasks like CPR. In an emergency situation it's all hands on deck... medical coders included.
is renewing ahima membership required to preserve my certification? im thinking about not renewing the membership anymore since im not able to use the features it comes with. id rather just pay for the recertification since my ceu’s are good to go for another cycle
So bul we're should I start ? For my classes I'm paying for them ..I do not trust the. Program an voucher Before I invest were to start for my training I can go to a technical college pay 4 thousand with voucher..or AHIMA out of pocket
When you say to read the guidelines every week, are you just reading without note-taking? I calculated about 18 pages per day for the ICD-10. My concern is that I'm going to waste time. Any recommendations you can share I would appropriate. Thanks from a - new subscriber
Thank you for subscribing! Although, I have to ask why do you think reading the guidelines would be a "waste of time"? I am a veteran coder that is giving advice on the ways that I have been able to become successful in this field by building my knowledge base. If you choose not to follow my advice, that's fine. I'm only trying to help. If you want to take notes, make flashcards, by all means, do that. I highly encourage flashcards! What I don't do is waste anyone's time with things that are a "waste of time".
@@MedicalCodingwithBleu That's not what I'm saying; my question is, when you are reading the guidelines over the 12 weeks, are you just reading them so that the repeticion helps you remember OR while you are reading over the 12 weeks, should I make notes on something that may be unclear to me. I was asking for help so that I was not be spending too much time on the way I'm studying the guidelines not to offend you. Thanks
@@MedicalCodingwithBleu at some video you're saying about not going for CPB for instance. I know it's whole different discussion. It's just expensive, you know to maintain 2 different certification, from AHIMA and AAPC. My thoughts been that if you have already CPC, it's easier to go for COC, CIC.
My question is why are you trying to get additional credentials when you don't seem sure what you're going after. You don't need to be certified through both associations. All you need is ONE credential. And I say in ALL my videos when talking about billing you don't need it.
@@island661 you can still compete an AAPC program then test for the CCA. You'll just have to study inpatient coding on your own. I have the independent study video you can check out to supplement your studies.
It seems like a money pit with all of the renewal of credentials as well as the membership renewal. As if the cost of the course and the exam isn’t expensive enough. It’s hard to secure an entry level position with the apprenticeship. It really makes a beginner feel very discouraged and frustrating. That’s why beginners feel intimidated and want to throw in the tile, but we must continue to thrive 🎉❤
I'm thinking of going through AHIMA only for the simple fact that AAPC is not as common in my location. I am paying and learning this on my own, I want the best for my buck right out of the gate. I loved this video. I set the reminder and everything.. You are really out here motivating people to do what needs to be done. Thank You, BLEU!
Awesome! Thank you for your kind words 😁 and Thank you for watching!💙
Great for u!
Your videos are so great! I have credentials with both AHIMA and AAPC. Started with AHIMA for the same reasons you stated. I personally prefer AAPC as an organization itself but AHIMA seems to be more recognized with hospitals. I am seeing more hospitals asking for CCS or CPC though which definitely wasn’t the case 10-15 years ago. I am loving that facilities are starting to finally recognize both organizations.
Again I Love your videos. You are an inspiration to me. I was in Car business for 18 but due to two shoulder surgeries I was unable to do my job. DOR paid for my education. Ed2go partnered with AAPC. I love AAPC. Thank you for your videos. I am 61 and I find this very exciting. I wish I would have done it 15 years ago.
Thanks for sharing and I totally agreed! I was brand new to the medical coding community! I received my training from AAPC I had terminology 3 times. One as a CNA, AAS Degree and AAPC! Maybe I should take it over with AHIMA! I'm sure I will past the CPC exam the first time!🙂💙
Yes, Handshakes are important with eye contact! You are so funny! Thank you for sharing your knowledge of AHIMA
Thank you for watching! 😁💙
Thank you for addressing this. This was one of my questions in a previous video. 😁
I’m hold 3 credentials through AAPC and taking my exam to become an approved instructor but I’m Also taking my CCS and I think they both great organizations. Neither are better than the other but I think AHIMA opens more doors but I’m an SME in outpatient and documentation and I haven’t been in the industry for 6+ years
I LOVE YOUR LAUGH!
You’re awesome, thanks so much learning allot from your videos❤
Very good information, thank you.
I just received my CPC-A.
YAY!! CONGRATULATIONS 👏👏🥳🥳
Thank You!
Congratulations!
Can u share how u studied for it?
@@g.d.9619 Study all sections of the CPT, HCPCS, and ICD 10, Study your med terminology, anatomy, business medicine, and GUIDELINES. I highly recommend getting the CPC study guide. For the coding part, PRACTICE AND TIME YOURSELF!!!!!!!! You might find some cases online, but in the study guide, they have cases you can practice on as well.
Your videos are very helpful, I enjoy your insight and examples. I've been entering provider charges for 10 years now and I want to learn coding. I work closely with the coders already and I know I'd be good at it. I'm 54 but never stop learning, right?
NEVER STOP LEARNING!!! 😁👏👏👏👏
Thanks for the video and information 👍
AAPC works for me because the coding jobs in my area primarily list the AAPC Creditionals. There are also four local AAPC Chapters in my area and I didn't discover one of the chapters in my area until later on because I didn't realize that it was in my area.
Same with me. Much more active local chapters and networks than AHIMA.
I’m going to school for RHIT and I’m a CPC-A and let me tell you the teaching is different through a institution. I feel like a fish out of water. Coding is tough incorporated in a degree program.
Thank you for sharing your experience! Best wishes to you on your journey. And yes, I agree completely, it is tough.
Congrats on going for a degree program I have my RHIT and am now studying for my RHIA this is a wonderful field with so many different career paths to explore the wonderful thing about having the RHIT/RHIA is that you have a multi-faceted skill set and an work a diverse range of HIM jobs. I love coding but I like knowing that if i want to choose a different career path in HIM I can this is why I love AHIMA. best of luck to you!!!
I am trying to go back to it at the college here in my town and now I have to take 6 more classes plus anatomy and medical terminology again. I am overwhelmed just thinking about it :(
Love this, thank you so much! 🙂
Thank you for watching!!
I prefer AHIMA but that is only because of my own personal choices in that I want to have multiple credentials not just in coding such as the RHIA, CDIP, and the CHDA I want to be able to learn and have opportunities in all avenues of HIM and have that diverse skill set but that is just me AAPC is also a very good organization it all just depends on what your goals are
Hi Bleu! I love your videos! Thanks for all the amazing info! I am currently an LPN looking to get CCS certified through AHIMA. Their website has me a little confused. They state on their website all of the things that are recommended but not required to take the CCS exam but then on the printable pdf of certification requirements it lists all of the same prerequisites as required and not optional. Such as A&P, pharm and experience or study in coding. I have done the A&P and pharm in my LPN program, but I haven’t had any courses in coding. I was just going to invest in one of Ahima’s study books on coding but I’m wondering which one is accurate? Maybe, there is a number on their website that I can call and find out? Thanks for any suggestions you might have.
Please see this video
ruclips.net/video/wpW9kjYKryk/видео.html
It has my recommendations on books to learn coding. Obviously, you can skip the medical terminology, a&p, but the books to learn diagnosis coding and procedure coding is there. If you find another book you like, by all means but that's what I recommend anyway. Yes, AHIMA has theirs but you can use any book to learn from. You just have to make sure you have the appropriate manuals to take the test with. I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Thank you for watching!
And it is just recommended, not required.
@@MedicalCodingwithBleu thank you so much for the quick response and the video link! This is very helpful!! I will check the video out now. ❤️
I passed my AHIMA test in december and cannot find any jobs or externships in my area. I took the AHIMA test since my school paid for the exam .
AAPC is much more prevelant in my area. I guess it depends on which one is dominant in the area.
Folks can go through either/or as both are widely accepted everywhere, doesn't matter who dominates in the area.
I just shared my experience since folks asked why I chose AHIMA.
I love your information videos as always, you've helped me a lot. Question I have is going in for my credential, I really want to just be set and not have to keep going back and forth taking test because it's so much money out of pocket. So I was thinking of getting my CPC but now I see even greater benefits with COC, what is your suggestion regarding which one to get to be set? Or should I just get my CPC then get my COC afterwards?
More employers ask for the CPC.
Congrats Bleu and thank you for this vids! I just found out that my school will do AHIMA and I'm whaaatttt?lol...Is there any practice exan test under AHIMA? Would it be ok to know the website?
There's practice exam books in the AHIMA webstore. The website is ahima.org
Thank you for watching!!
@@MedicalCodingwithBleu Awesome, many thanks!
Thank you for all of the great information! Does AHIMA offer practice exams? I didn't find any while poking around the website.
Yes they do.
Hi Bleu, I've just been propositioned by a woman that I know about starting the training. She was talking to me a little about the program and being a part of her team and then she asked me about being in an affiliate program.. After talking to her I felt really skeptical about the whole thing.. do you have any advice for me.. I've been binging your videos, by the way! New Subscriber!
Thank you for watching....
I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about. Affiliate for what? Are you a medical coder already? There's more questions I have than the information I've been given.... not really sure what to say. But I appreciate you watching! Thank you for your support. I hope it works out for you.... and always listen to your gut... if it's telling you it's shady, it probably is.
Hi. Thank you for your video and advice. Can anyone tell me what would be a good choice to work from home/remotely, AHIMA CCA or AAPC CPC? I am homebound/restricted. Are there homebased openings and opportunities immediately after getting certified? Anyone please let me know, I would be grateful. I was a doctor physician many years ago in Asia and now live in California for over 10 years now by the way so any advice related to location would also be helpful. I could not pursue medical residency and now I'm a very old graduate and missed that opportunity. I am middle aged.
Hello bleu do you what the difference is between a medical coder and medical coding assistant a community college here in California offers the medical coding assistant program and prepares students for the AAPC. even if the program prepares students for the AAPC can one still go with AHIMA instead? After watching some of your videos I want to become a medical coder but most programs in private colleges like platt college for example are so expensive and is not that I don't want to invest in myself but I don't have the fund and can't afford to have more debt does any one have school recommendations that are affordable in the LA county area?
12:28 I love this!
Also, the limp handshake turns me off also. It feels disingenuous.
💙💙💙💙💙💙
I love ur videos very informative, but my question is I'm taking the medical coding specialist class and I look at the requirements and one say I have to have a valid cpr card and my question is why do I have to have a valid cpr certification for the internship
When you work on a medical environment, sometimes, they want to make sure everyone knows how to perform basic life saver tasks like CPR. In an emergency situation it's all hands on deck... medical coders included.
@@MedicalCodingwithBleu okay
is renewing ahima membership required to preserve my certification? im thinking about not renewing the membership anymore since im not able to use the features it comes with. id rather just pay for the recertification since my ceu’s are good to go for another cycle
No it is not required. They have separate charges for members and non members when it comes to credential renewal.
I'm struggling so much with AAPC's course. 😟
Don't give up on YOU!!!
So bul we're should I start ? For my classes I'm paying for them ..I do not trust the. Program an voucher
Before I invest were to start for my training I can go to a technical college pay 4 thousand with voucher..or AHIMA out of pocket
What?
Hi Bleu, Is it okay if I become a member of AHIMA but do my CPC test trough AAPC(as a non member)?
AAPC requires you to be a member every year.
When you say to read the guidelines every week, are you just reading without note-taking? I calculated about 18 pages per day for the ICD-10. My concern is that I'm going to waste time. Any recommendations you can share I would appropriate. Thanks from a - new subscriber
Thank you for subscribing! Although, I have to ask why do you think reading the guidelines would be a "waste of time"? I am a veteran coder that is giving advice on the ways that I have been able to become successful in this field by building my knowledge base. If you choose not to follow my advice, that's fine. I'm only trying to help. If you want to take notes, make flashcards, by all means, do that. I highly encourage flashcards! What I don't do is waste anyone's time with things that are a "waste of time".
@@MedicalCodingwithBleu That's not what I'm saying; my question is, when you are reading the guidelines over the 12 weeks, are you just reading them so that the repeticion helps you remember OR while you are reading over the 12 weeks, should I make notes on something that may be unclear to me.
I was asking for help so that I was not be spending too much time on the way I'm studying the guidelines not to offend you. Thanks
Is ahima accredicted? because aapc is not accredicted I dont know if that's a good thing or bad.
I am going to have to do an episode about this. Its better explaining it on video.
AHIMA or AAPC is where you want to get certified, I will say that.
@@MedicalCodingwithBleu ok Thank you.
Can you print the material online since you only have a year to access it?
Hello. Bleu. Would you have any certification recommendations for someone who works as a nurse? I am an LPN considering this change. :) thank you.
Watch tonight! I'll be LIVE at 730pm CST and I'll address this then. Thank you!!
How do you become a medical auditor
Please see this video
ruclips.net/video/IT0DIiMyxLs/видео.html
what is the difference between CCS and RHIA?
CCS is a certification, RHIA is a bachelor's degree.
If I have my CPC, I assume it doesn't make sense to go for CCA?
Why would you assume that? The CCA is completely different from the CPC.
@@MedicalCodingwithBleu at some video you're saying about not going for CPB for instance. I know it's whole different discussion. It's just expensive, you know to maintain 2 different certification, from AHIMA and AAPC. My thoughts been that if you have already CPC, it's easier to go for COC, CIC.
My question is why are you trying to get additional credentials when you don't seem sure what you're going after. You don't need to be certified through both associations. All you need is ONE credential.
And I say in ALL my videos when talking about billing you don't need it.
IM JUS A FRESH GRADUATE I WANT TO START MY CARRER WITH MEDICAL BILLING N CODING PLEASE HELP HOW TO START IT
Are you certified?
I'm ready to give up.
Don't give up on YOU yet!!!
@@MedicalCodingwithBleu Thank you, Bleu. You give me faith and hope.
@@island661 ruclips.net/video/wpW9kjYKryk/видео.html
This is the independent study video
Why? What do you need help with?
Their books are HORRIBLE!
There are other materials you can learn from. You can do this!
@@MedicalCodingwithBleu I wish I would've gone with AHIMA. 😂
@@island661 you can still compete an AAPC program then test for the CCA. You'll just have to study inpatient coding on your own. I have the independent study video you can check out to supplement your studies.