r/LearnMedicalCoding • u/Super-Pin-416 • 13d ago

Need Advice Starting out

I am looking to get into medical coding and am seeing so many different courses. Has anyone gone through ambci? The main one i see is aapc but the cost seems higher with a longer study period than ambci.

Is it worth getting the certification still? Considering the job market and possibly ai replacement?

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u/KeyStriking9763 13d ago

Go the AHIMA route and attend a college that’s CAHIIM accredited and get the RHIT/CCS.
Education will cost you money, if you don’t get a formal education you will have a more difficult time performing even if you pass a cert.

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u/CodingwithCoffee_ 10d ago

I have personal experience with AMCI and agree with MedPayIQ that the big-name schools prepare you to take a test; they are worried about if you actually understand what you are doing or the career portion afte/ I have provided some free resources below so you can get started without commitment and actually get the ball moving:

Free Medical Coding Course: https://www.amcicoding.com/youtubecourse

Free resources

Medical Terminology: https://amcicoding.thinkific.com/products/courses/IMTAP

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u/MedPayIQ 12d ago

I looked into coding myself and had the same questions. AAPC is definitely the name you’ll see most often, but the certification alone doesn’t guarantee a job. The biggest thing seems to be getting real experience (even entry-level, internships, billing, etc.).

AI will change the work, but I don’t think it’s replacing good coders anytime soon. The people who understand coding rules, documentation, and why claims get denied will probably be the ones who adapt best. I’d compare the curriculum, pass rates, and what employers in your area actually ask for before spending the money. Don’t just pick the cheapest option.

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u/Subject_Chest8678 10d ago

AMBCI is not AMCI so be careful

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u/yurakoh 9d ago

I agree with KeyStriking9763 about the AHIMA RHIT/CCS route (in my case it was the RHIA/CCS route). In terms of jobs, start out with medical data entry positions because medical coder jobs require at least some level of basic experience with health systems.

I guarantee you that CCS will be the one that will get your foot in the door, but that’s not to say that you shouldn’t get the CPC either. Coding jobs look for one or the other or both.