How do I decide which medical coding program is right for me?
It depends on your goals and how quickly you’d like to land a job in the field. Both programs cover relevant healthcare information, are self-paced and fully online, and can help you prepare to sit for certification exams. However, the Medical Coding Professional Training Program can be the best option for someone who wants a career focused more on the coding side of medical billing and coding, while the Medical Billing and Coding Program could be better suited to someone who wants to focus more on billing.
Completion of both programs can allow you to sit for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam, however, the cost of that exam is not included in the Medical Billing and Coding tuition, and you’d still need to gain the 2 years of required work experience to be considered fully certified. The Medical Coding Professional Program covers the cost of that exam and includes the AAPC Practicode course, which counts toward the 2 year work experience, making you fully certified once you complete your program and pass the exam.
Which program is more likely to get me a job as a medical coder?
Both programs can help you prepare to qualify for jobs in the medical billing and coding field. However, one benefit of the Medical Coding Professional Program is that you can earn full CPC certification, a credential that many employers may look for when hiring new and experienced medical coders.
Why does the Medical Coding Professional Program cost more?
The Medical Coding Professional Training Program includes several additional add-ons that aren’t available in the Medical Billing and Coding Career Diploma including:
- A paid AAPC student membership – a $210 value
- The cost of the CPC exam, up to 2 attempts – a $499 value
- The AAPC Practicode course – a $299 value
- CPC exam practice tests
With program materials that focus more on coding than the Medical Billing and Coding Career Diploma, it can help you take the next steps to accelerate your career as a medical coding professional by helping you prepare to sit for the CPC exam, considered the gold-standard certification in the industry.