Laureen answered this in the July 2012 Medical Coding Certification Q & A webinar. She indicated that hospitals tend to prefer the AHIMA credentials (CCS, RHIT, etc.) and physician offices tend to prefer the AAPC credentials (CPC) but mainly want to know you are somehow certified.
I'm sure there are differences in opinion regarding the status of each credential.
If you are trying to decide which credential to go after, one thing to consider is the location of where you are job hunting. A metropolitan area will likely have more hospitals than a rural area. Consider your preferences for the type of environment you would like to work in, and what the job postings are asking for in your locale.
Laureen also went over the differences in the AHIMA and AAPC exams -- price, length, content, etc. in the July 2012 Q &A webinar.
View the replay at www.cco.us and click on Q and A Webinar Replay link. This is a replay club so you get access to all the past replays as well as future ones.
Anyone else wish to comment?
