Which certification is better: CPC-P/H or CCA?

What is the difference between the certifications? Which one is recognized/accepted most or are they considered the same for employment?

I want to start an online course for billing and coding and I will choose between AAPC or AHIMA online courses. I am leaning towards the AAPC and the PCP-H as I would prefer to work in a hospital.

After reading the posts here I realize getting hired is the toughest part. I don't have medical exp. but I do have extensive accounting, customer service and computer skills/experience.

I am going to start the AAPC for the anatomy and medical terminology. I may stay with the AAPC courses (if I can afford the $1200 in 3-4 months) OR may continue on with the AHIMA courses.

I looked at the Andrews School and it looks good but I would prefer online studying/combo rather than all book learning with only message boards as the online component.

I doubt if I will be able to get a job right away with coding but I am ready to start entry level as ANYTHING in a hospotal or medical office.

Zonee in Miami, Florida said: What is the difference between the certifications? Which one is recognized/accepted most or are they considered the same for employment?

I want to start an online course for billing and coding and I will choose between AAPC or AHIMA online courses. I am leaning towards the AAPC and the PCP-H as I would prefer to work in a hospital.

After reading the posts here I realize getting hired is the toughest part. I don't have medical exp. but I do have extensive accounting, customer service and computer skills/experience.

I was told by a professor at Loma Linda University that the AHIMA is the best way to go as far as getting a medical coding certificate, because they are the ones that set the standards for coding. If you do a job search of coder within different states in the U.S., you will see that most employers want someone that has received their certificate through an AHIMA approved training program. You can go to www.ahima.org and you might be able to find an approved training program in you area.

Thanks. I am noticing that inpatient hospitals usually prefer the CCS certification.

I think I would prefer to work in an inpatient hospital setting rather than a physician office.

Plus the hospital chain I hope to work for (HCA) specifies CCS and you must have an RHIT to be a supervisor.

So I am going to start my online training with the AHIMA Anatomy course then do each cluster of the coding basics course, while trying to get my foot in the door with a hospital then continue on to a RHIT.

I am also leaning that to be a pro coder the learning never stops!

Zonee in Miami, Florida said: What is the difference between the certifications? Which one is recognized/accepted most or are they considered the same for employment?

I want to start an online course for billing and coding and I will choose between AAPC or AHIMA online courses. I am leaning towards the AAPC and the PCP-H as I would prefer to work in a hospital.

After reading the posts here I realize getting hired is the toughest part. I don't have medical exp. but I do have extensive accounting, customer service and computer skills/experience.

I'm pretty sure the certifications throught AHIMA are better, but I'm sure if you have the experience that certifications through AAPC are the same as AHIMA. But from doing the research on jobs, from their list of qualifications they require a certification through AHIMA. So overall I would say that certifications through AHIMA are much better especially since this organization regulates the standards for the coding industry.

Zonee in Miami, Florida said: Thanks. I am noticing that inpatient hospitals usually prefer the CCS certification.

I think I would prefer to work in an inpatient hospital setting rather than a physician office.

Plus the hospital chain I hope to work for (HCA) specifies CCS and you must have an RHIT to be a supervisor.

So I am going to start my online training with the AHIMA Anatomy course then do each cluster of the coding basics course, while trying to get my foot in the door with a hospital then continue on to a RHIT.

I am also leaning that to be a pro coder the learning never stops!

That sounds great. Good luck with everything!!!!