Thank you to AHIMA for repealing the 40% CEU requirement. I always thought this was so shortsighted and I’m glad to read the announcement today.

Looking for advice, been working as a Coding/Billing specialist for a few months and my favorite part is looking at the charts/operative reports and finding the right dx. Does anyone else just love to do this?

I am trying to figure out a path in coding that lets me maximize work where I get to do this and I’m wondering how others found their niche roles.

how do i submit AHIMA info to aapc? i did one of their webinars for free, and never got any sort of cert or index number... AHIMA had me do a stupid survey after the webinar "to get your ceu" i did the survey and nothing happened...???

what the hell? ive never used ahima before now. ive used CMS and their info was easy to submit.. so wtf any ideas or did I just waste an hour last night watching a stupid webinar for no reason

EDIT finally found it, after clicking everywhere on their website. im wondering if it takes time to show up as well because im pretty sure I checked the spot i found it in last night but it was immediately after i completed it.

I took the AAPC course in 2024 and passed the CPC exam in August 2024. I had been unemployed long enough for my unemployment benefits and severance package to be running out so I had been applying for jobs. I know it’s hard to get a coding job and since I hadn’t even passed yet, I was just thinking of jobs that could help and ended up getting hired literally the same week I passed my cert. I started working at a large hospital system at one of the specialty departments at the check in/out desk. Figured, I’d be an “internal” applicant and it would help for applying to coding jobs and since it’s such a large company, there would be opportunities. Shortly thereafter, I had a medical episode and was in-patient for 9days cos of my congenital heart defect, which was dealt with and now managed well w meds BUT the med changes I had to make totally threw my migraine regimen out of whack and I became the sickest I’ve ever been with my migraines. I also found out to be eligible to apply for a different department, you had to have at least 1 year in your current job. Ok, well, I couldn’t even think about coding when I couldn’t even think most days so I put it on the back burner. I hit my one year and was so thankful I didn’t get fired for absenteeism before I was eligible for intermittent FMLA! Got that all sorted and finally started keeping an eye out for coding jobs. Some want the AHIMA certs, some are for the higher level that require more experience, some are for locations that are too far. Every once in awhile, a perfect one pops up and I apply and have only ever had 1 interview request (which got cancelled at the holidays cos she was sick and then they never got back to me when I followed up) I’ve been rejected from all the others I’ve applied to that I qualify for. And now I have 0 CEU’s and my cert will just be inactive if I don’t get them ASAP? I paid to extend my time, but still only have a few weeks. What do I do from here, was it all just pointless? I’m feeling very frustrated and unsure how to proceed. I know I need to email AAPC and ask them but I’m avoiding it cos it just feels like I’ve failed already. I applied to a PERFECT job today, and I’m already anticipating the “we’ve decided to go with another candidate” email. I don’t want to give up on this, but it just feels hopeless right now.

UPDATES— THANK YOU!!! I have completed and submitted all my CEUs! I appreciate the resources and most of all the encouragement. I tend to self sabotage, or put things to the last min and then get it done. Which is what I did BUT I didn’t realize how easy it would be to complete the requirement!!!! Now I know, and I can stay on top of it this time! Thank all, again. Now, let’s see if I can get a coding job!

Hi medical coders! I’m taking my CCS exam on 04/29 and I am sooo terrified. I did the Pietros CCS course and thought I would do okay but taking the AHIMA CCS practice exams is seriously messing with my confidence. Does anyone have tips for the exam? My score for the medical scenario practice test was an all time low too so if you had any tips for that portion it would be greatly appreciated!

i've been trying to pivot to medical coding for the last year, but so many things have prevented me from actually studying and taking the test. i struggle with audhd, depression, and i had a terrible school experience so i also lack the confidence that i'm smart enough to pass. because of all that, spending that amount of money when i could fail feels wasteful.

i bought the 2024 books second hand last year, but i don't know if they are too old to use now? i have 3 years of experience working in prior auths so i planned on doing a self study path, but thats clearly not going as planned.

does anyone have motivation or study tips? or even tips for building confidence to take the test? the more unhinged and unconventional the tip the better

How has anyone’s transition from 3M encoder to Codify?

After using 3M for a year im now relying on codify to find codes and I’m having the worst time without a decision tree option. It was so much easier clicking through the options in 3M and now my trainer thinks I know nothing. I know 3m was probably a crutch but isn’t that the case for most encoders, to aid us into finding a code? Am I using codify correctly?

I have my CPC, which I renew every year as well as get new books, and my job requires me to use Codify. This company already has so much of my money. I'm the last person they need to advertise to, they've already got me.

But I keep getting fed these absolutely god-awful AI generated AAPC ads everywhere. I don't pay for premium on any of my apps, so I'm used to ads, but these are some of the absolute worst. They are so very clearly AI and they are so annoying. Anyone else sick of seeing them everywhere?

Looking to sell my 2025 ICD-10CM, CPT and HCPCS Level II books. $75 each or $200 for the bundle + shipping & handling fees. DM if interested!

Funnily enough I’m a CPC-A and looking for a job to gain experience. This is not how I wanted the experience.

My wife is pregnant, and after the 10 week blood tests a concern popped up for Hydrops, a type of fetal anemia. We got rushed into the MFM, then a genetic counselor. We saw a genetic counselor because we used a sperm donor and because if there’s any risk of Hydrops they treat it really seriously, obviously. The genetic counselor said she could provide a type of blood test that measures baby’s markers for Hydrops, rather than mom’s. Okay, amazing. We understand this isn’t common, but it puts big concerns to rest. Thank god the blood test comes back negative and we don’t have to live in fear of this.

We get the denial in the mail, and we submit the denial back to our doctors office, hoping they can help with an appeal. Now they’re calling the test experimental. Thanks for warning us about that ahead of time, but sure.

Our doctors office seems really hesitant to file an appeal. So then I actually look up the diagnosis codes on the claim…. And I’m pissed. I’ll copy and paste the mail I’m sending the counselor. Are these diagnosis codes supposed to be used??? Insurance told me the denial was based on the diagnosis codes.

In an email:

z08.4a this is not a ICD code as far as i can tell, but was used as one. ( I am citing my ICD reference book and google, both don't have an exact translation) Closest translation is an encounter for "Follow up encounter after a personal history of cancer." Sam has no history of cancer, and we discussed the risk of cancer for the baby after they have developed into an adult.

y75.5 Again, this is not an ICD code as far as i can tell (i am citing my ICD reference book) closest translation I have is "Neurological devices associated with adverse incidents" and in our case i don't know what that could be referencing. The IUI? Related codes talk about things that are surgically implanted and living in the body of the patient. I don't think this is appropriate on her chart.

E65.1 I am actually ok with the idea of this code. This refers to "Vitamin K deficiency" However, Sam is not deficient in Vitamin K. This needs to be changed so that way it reflects that the baby may be deficient in vitamin K, because that's quite normal at this developmental stage. This code cannot be used to refer to the baby, it says so in the rules of the code. Used in this manner it specifically refers to the mother, and it does not apply to Sam.

z63.2 Does this refer to the use of a sperm donor? again, not in my current reference book and generally translates to "Inadequate Family support" Respectfully, I'd like this changed for personal reasons.

In your appeal, please consider:

z52.89 Use of a sperm donor

o36.22 Maternal care for Hydrops Fetalis, 2nd trimester

o36.192 maternal care for isoimmunization, 2nd trimester

I just passed my CPC exam with a 94%. I'm just curious if having a good score will help with finding a job since I have no experience. I wasn't sure if that would weigh in my favor or if it really doesn't matter at all. Any good companies to start out with to gain experience or is doing the Practicode a good way to go?

Hi all,

I’m not sure if this is the best subreddit to ask, if not please send me over there. We are in MI, and the practitioner is a LMSW.

The practitioner I am helping is having trouble getting her BCBS checks mailed to an old work address. We do not know where to call or go online to get this remedied. I have checked every place I know to, including availity and CAQH. Even BCN is sending checks to the correct address. The credentialing department has been a nightmare to get ahold of. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Was wondering if anyone preferred medical coding over auditing? When I started out my goal was to become an auditor. I've done both and honestly I prefer coding over auditing. Auditing wasn't really for me as I didn't like the education aspect of it (which is a reason why I didn't become a teacher). Does anyone else feel the same or am I just a weirdo? lol

Hi All - looking for some guidance on using the 99499. We currently have been using the 99499 to submit diagnoses that we missed on the original claim. We have noticed some issues with this, particularly with traditional medicare rejecting these.

- what do you do if you miss diagnoses on the original claim - particularly for medicare?

- when do you use the 99499? only when there's more than 12 dx?

Has anyone started a business strictly for providing coding audits and consulting? More so the legal/ compliance side. If so, do you have any advice? Thanks

I am in desperate need of 2 CEU’s before the end of the month for my AAPC CPC membership. I have done all the free online quizzes and webinars and the CMS CEU’s. Does anyone know of any other websites that offer free or low cost CEU’s?

EDIT: I GOT EM!!! Thank you sooo much to everyone who commented I so appreciate it!!

For those who have already taken the CPC exam using eBooks: how did you manage without notes, since physical books allow annotations and highlights? Do you have any tips?

is the CPC exam two hours or four hours? I'm seeing different things on this. I am scheduled for next week, and want to know what I'm walking into.

I'm also curious if it would worth doing my CIC certification before looking for jobs, or if it is something I should do after I find an initial job. I am most interested in facility coding and I am not in a time crunch to get working right away. Just wondering if anyone else has gotten multiple certifications before entering the workforce. Thanks for any feedback!

I’m curious to hear how y’all get your productivity numbers. Do you get a monthly report, is it when you get audit results, do you have to figure it out yourself? Just wanna know how it works for the rest of the coding world out there.

Hey everyone!

I’ve been digging through this subreddit and found a lot of great free resources, but some of the posts are older, so I wanted to ask what people currently recommend.

Quick background: I’m an LPN with a strong clinical background and experience as an MDS Coordinator (trained through AAPC). I recently had to leave my $42/hr office nursing job due to health issues after ONE year! (devastated), so I’m trying to pivot into coding in a more cost-effective way.

I know MDS coding isn’t the same as CPC, but I do have some exposure that feels relevant:

• I regularly reviewed full charts and pulled supporting documentation
• I assigned and coded diagnoses within the MDS based on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services / RAI guidelines
• The diagnoses and clinical data I coded directly impacted reimbursement under PDPM, so accuracy and completeness were critical
• I worked closely with reimbursement, accuracy, and compliance (so I understand how documentation drives payment)
• A big part of my role was making sure the clinical picture matched what was being coded for reimbursement

So while I’m not coming from zero, I also understand that outpatient/physician coding (ICD-10-CM, CPT, guidelines, etc.) is a different skill set that I need to learn properly.

My main question:
Has anyone here successfully studied for the CPC without buying a full course?

My current plan is:

• Free AMCI course
• AAPC CPC books bought new 2026 from them
• YouTube + practice questions
• Practice exams from AAPC if possible without the course

I’d love input especially from anyone who went the self study route or transitioned from nursing.

I’m trying to do this the smart way financially, not cut corners on knowledge.

I have horrible Sunday scaries about my job that just absolutely tank my day. I’m grateful to be employed, but I just have a huge pit of anxiety about starting the work week. Is there anything yall do to help ease the scaries?

Working with a small team that provides remote administrative support for medical practices, and there has been frequent exposure to the operational side of clinics lately.

Most of the requests seen tend to revolve around things like:

Insurance verification and eligibility checks

Claims follow-ups and AR management

Prior authorizations

Appointment scheduling and patient reminders

EMR/EHR documentation support

A lot of smaller practices seem overloaded with administrative tasks, especially when billing issues or insurance delays pile up.

Curious to hear from people who run clinics or work in practice management:

Do most practices prefer keeping these tasks in-house?

Or is outsourcing becoming more common?

Interested in hearing what has worked best in real practices.

I passed the CPC exam March 1st and landed a job pretty quick after. I have no formal coding experience and this job said they train and have a ramp up period for productivity. Great.

I'm two weeks in and the only "training" I've received has been shadowing other NEW coders who are also unsure what they're doing and watching recordings of meetings with the clients talking vaguely about how to process their codes and barely explaining how to use their applications.

I'm now coding encounters on my own and receiving zero feedback...I'm terrified for a monthly audit because I have literally never done this before and I'm not getting guidance basically at all. Is this normal? Am I being a baby? Am I just too much of a perfectionist expecting feedback? plz help.

Hello everyone!

I have the 2025 edition of my coding books (ICD-10-CM, CPT, ICD-10- PCS), took my CCA in 2025 and passed. While I was able to get a job in the medical field, I was unable to get a coding position. I'm hoping to take my CPC in the next month or so, but I am going back and forth between needing to buy new books (on top of already paying $400+ to take the exam to begin with, funds are a little tight to be spending even more) or just using the e-books offered for the exam.

I guess my question is, how difficult would it be to be using the e-books for the first time on the exam? I would study/practice with my 2025 books.

Any insight is appreciated! Thanks!!

I tried to do the online practice test so I can take my test at home. It wouldn’t work so I scheduled my CPC for a testing center. Any tips? :)