AAPC vs. AHIMA - Medical Coders Certification: A Complete Guide

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Written & Reviewed by HCMM staff

 AAPC vs. AHIMA - Medical Coders Certification: A Complete Guide

Becoming a Certified Medical Coder (CMC) can open doors to a rewarding career while ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency within the medical billing and coding processes. However when it comes to obtaining medical coding certification, two major certification bodies dominate the industry: the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Each offers distinct certifications that cater to different areas of medical coding, and deciding between the two can be a crucial step in your career.

In this comprehensive guide, we will compare AAPC vs. AHIMA in several key areas to help you make an informed decision on which certification is the right fit for your career aspirations. Whether you're just starting in the medical coding field or you're looking to advance your qualifications, understanding the differences between these two certification bodies is crucial.

1. Overview of AAPC and AHIMA Certifications

AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders)

  • Founded: 1988
  • Primary Certification: Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
  • Specialization: AAPC focuses mainly on outpatient coding, physician-based services, and ambulatory care.
  • Additional Certifications: AAPC offers a variety of specialized certifications, including CPC-H (Hospital), Certified Professional Coder—Payer (CPC-P), and more.

AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association)

  • Founded: 1928
  • Primary Certification: Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
  • Specialization: AHIMA is recognized for its focus on inpatient coding, health information management, and hospital settings.
  • Additional Certifications: AHIMA offers certifications such as Certified Coding Specialist—Payer (CCS-P), Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC), and Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA).

2. Cost Differences Between Exams

One of the primary considerations when deciding between AAPC and AHIMA is the cost of obtaining certification.Both AAPC and AHIMA certifications come with similar price tags. However, costs can vary depending on the exam, membership requirements, and study materials.

AAPC Certification Costs

  • CPC Exam: The cost for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam is approximately $399 for members and $499 for non-members.
  • Membership Fees: AAPC membership, which provides access to exclusive resources, study materials, and discounts on exams, is around $120 annually.
  • Specialized Exams: Costs for specialty certifications like CPC-H or CPC-P can range from $399 to $499, with additional membership fees.

AHIMA Certification Costs

  • CCS Exam: The cost for the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) exam is $399 for members and $499 for non-members.
  • Membership Fees: AHIMA membership costs approximately $129 annually for individual members.
  • Specialized Exams: Specialized certifications such as CCS-P or CIC can cost around $399 to $499, similar to AAPC's fees.

Cost Comparison: The certification costs for both AAPC and AHIMA are relatively similar, although AAPC's annual membership fee is slightly lower. However, many find that AAPC's additional study resources and support through membership may justify the cost.

3. Time Commitment for Preparation

The amount of time you need to prepare for your certification exam will largely depend on your prior knowledge of medical coding, the specific exam you're pursuing, and the resources available to you. Here’s how they compare:

AAPC Preparation

  • CPC Exam: On average, AAPC candidates spend about 3 to 6 months preparing for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam. The exam covers a wide range of topics related to outpatient coding, including ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS codes, as well as medical terminology and anatomy.
  • Study Materials: AAPC offers various study materials, including workbooks, online courses, and practice exams. Members receive discounts on these materials.
  • Workshops & Boot Camps: AAPC also offers exam prep workshops that can last anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the format.

AHIMA Preparation

  • CCS Exam: For the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) exam, candidates typically spend around 4 to 6 months preparing. The CCS exam focuses more on inpatient coding, including coding for hospital procedures, services, and diagnoses.
  • Study Materials: AHIMA provides study guides, practice exams, and online courses. Many candidates also choose to participate in AHIMA’s Coding Boot Camps for additional preparation.
  • In-Person Training: AHIMA offers various webinars and in-person boot camps aimed at helping candidates prepare for the CCS exam.

Time Commitment Comparison: Both certifications require a similar time investment. However, AAPC preparation may be slightly more flexible, with workshops available for those who want intensive, short-term study sessions. In addition, AHIMA's preparation require additional focus on hospital-specific coding, which may take a bit longer depending on the candidate’s background.

4. Exam Difficulty and Structure

The level of difficulty for these exams can vary depending on individual experience and familiarity with coding concepts. Both exams are rigorous and require a solid understanding of coding guidelines, procedures, and anatomy, but let’s break it down for a better understanding: 

AAPC Exam Structure

  • CPC Exam: The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering a wide range of topics such as anatomy, medical terminology, coding guidelines (ICD-10, CPT, HCPCS), and legal aspects of medical coding.
  • Time Limit: The exam lasts for 5 hours and 40 minutes.
  • Pass Rate: The typical pass rate for the CPC exam is around 50-60% for first-time test-takers, indicating a moderate level of difficulty.

AHIMA Exam Structure

  • CCS Exam: The Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) exam consists of 97 multiple-choice questions and 5 case studies that require candidates to select the appropriate codes for inpatient services. The exam emphasizes ICD-10-CM (for diagnosis coding) and ICD-10-PCS (for inpatient procedures), making it more specialized in comparison to the CPC exam.
  • Time Limit: The exam lasts for 4 hours.
  • Pass Rate: The pass rate for the CCS exam is generally higher than the CPC exam, with 60-70% of first-time test-takers passing. However, the complexity of inpatient coding makes it a more specialized exam.

Exam Difficulty Comparison: Both exams are challenging, but the CPC exam is generally considered more broad, covering a wider range of outpatient and physician services, while the CCS exam focuses on the intricacies of inpatient coding and hospital-based services.

5. Job Market Differences

While both certifications open up significant career opportunities, there are differences in job market preferences between AAPC and AHIMA.

AAPC's Job Market

  • Outpatient & Physician Office Jobs: AAPC’s CPC certification is highly recognized in outpatient settings, including physician offices, outpatient clinics, and ambulatory care centers. It’s ideal for coders seeking work with physicians or in smaller healthcare settings.
  • Increased Flexibility: Many employers seek coders with the CPC certification because it aligns with outpatient coding practices that dominate the healthcare market.
  • Salary Expectations: According to AAPC, the average salary for CPC-certified coders is around $58,000 annually, with higher earning potential in large medical facilities.

AHIMA's Job Market

  • Inpatient & Hospital Jobs: AHIMA’s CCS certification is more common in hospital settings, especially for coders working in large health systems, inpatient care, and long-term care facilities.
  • Health Information Management: AHIMA is recognized as a leader in health information management, so professionals with CCS certification may have broader opportunities in health data analysis and information management.
  • Salary Expectations: According to AHIMA, the average salary for CCS-certified coders is around $62,000 annually, with higher salaries in large hospitals or healthcare systems.

Job Market Comparison: AAPC's CPC certification is generally more valuable in outpatient or physician-focused roles, while AHIMA's CCS certification is preferred for inpatient or hospital-based positions. If you’re interested in coding for physicians or smaller healthcare providers, the CPC may be the better choice. However, if you want to focus on hospital coding and health information management, CCS would be more advantageous.

6. Continuing Education Requirements and Opportunities

AAPC Continuing Education

  • Requirement: AAPC-certified professionals must complete 36 continuing education units (CEUs) every two years to maintain their certifications.

  • Opportunities: AAPC offers a variety of resources to fulfill CEU requirements, including webinars, online courses, and attendance at their annual HEALTHCON conference. CEUs focus on coding updates, compliance, and advancements in healthcare technology.

AHIMA Continuing Education

  • Requirement: AHIMA certifications require a variable number of CEUs based on the specific certification. For instance, CCS holders must complete 20 CEUs every two years.

  • Opportunities: AHIMA provides numerous opportunities for CEUs through their webinars, virtual learning programs, and events like the AHIMA Global Conference. Additionally, AHIMA emphasizes leadership development and health informatics in its educational content.

Comparison: Both organizations require ongoing education, but AAPC's offerings are often centered on practical applications for coders, while AHIMA emphasizes broader health information management and leadership.

7. Scholarships and Financial Aid

AAPC Financial Support

  • AAPC offers several scholarships through its Hardship Program, enabling eligible individuals to pursue certifications and continuing education.

  • Discounts are frequently available for students and members purchasing study bundles or attending workshops.

AHIMA Financial Support

  • AHIMA Foundation provides scholarships for students and professionals advancing their careers in health information management.

  • Grants and funding opportunities are available for research initiatives and educational advancements in the HIM field.

Comparison: Both organizations provide financial support, but AHIMA places a stronger emphasis on funding academic and research-oriented pursuits, while AAPC focuses on practical, member-centric assistance.

Conclusion: AAPC vs. AHIMA—Which Is Right for You?

Both the AAPC and AHIMA certifications are respected and widely recognized within the healthcare industry. However, choosing the right certification depends on your career goals, the setting in which you want to work, and your specific interests in coding.

  • If you're aiming to work in outpatient clinics, physician offices, or ambulatory care, the CPC certification from AAPC is likely the better choice. It's versatile and highly in demand in these settings.
  • If you prefer working in hospital settings, focusing on inpatient coding and health information management, the CCS certification from AHIMA is ideal.

Both certifications offer excellent job prospects, but understanding the cost, time commitment, exam difficulty, and job market preferences for each will help guide your decision.

At Healthy Claims Medical Management, we can assist you with medical billing and coding services tailored to your certification needs. Whether you're pursuing CPC or CCS, our expert team is ready to help ensure that your coding processes meet the highest standards of compliance and efficiency.

Take the next step in your career—whether you choose AAPC or AHIMA—and position yourself for success in the evolving healthcare sector.