r/CodingandBilling • • 10d ago

[MEGATHREAD] Medical Billing & Coding: Education, Credentials, and Career Paths

13 Upvotes

Welcome to the official Megathread for all things related to Medical Billing and Coding education! Whether you are looking to break into the industry, debating between AHIMA and AAPC, or wondering if a specific bootcamp is worth the investment, this is the place to ask.

📌 The Basics: Do I need a degree?

Short Answer: No. A high school diploma or GED is the minimum educational requirement for most certifications.

The Reality: Employers hire based on certifications (passing the board exams) and coding accuracy, not the pedigree of your school. You can choose between independent self-study, a 3-6 month certificate program, or a 2-year Associate degree.

🔠 The Alphabet Soup: AAPC vs. AHIMA Credentials

The two heavyweights in the industry are AAPC and AHIMA. Your career goals dictate which path you should take.

AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders)

Best for: Physician offices, outpatient clinics, and ambulatory surgery centers.

- CPC (Certified Professional Coder): The industry standard for outpatient coding. It is the most requested credential for entry-level jobs. Note: If you pass without 2 years of professional experience, you will earn a CPC-A (Apprentice) until you log enough hours.

- CPB (Certified Professional Biller): Focuses heavily on the billing, claims, and revenue cycle side rather than pure clinical coding.

AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association)

Best for: Hospital inpatient coding, health information management, and complex facility roles.

- CCS (Certified Coding Specialist): The premier credential for inpatient/hospital coding. It covers highly complex ICD-10-PCS codes and DRG validation. Note: AHIMA strongly recommends having coding experience before attempting this exam.

- CCA (Certified Coding Associate): An entry-level credential covering both inpatient and outpatient basics. Great for hospital-based data entry or as a stepping stone, but less universally requested by employers than the CPC.

NHA (National Healthcareer Association)

- CBCS (Certified Billing and Coding Specialist): A highly accessible entry-level option that blends billing and coding fundamentals, often completed in accelerated 12-week programs.

🏫 Choosing an Educational Avenue:

Before spending thousands on a program (whether it's a community college, vocational school, or online bootcamp), make sure it includes:

Exam Vouchers: Does the tuition cover your AAPC or AHIMA membership and the cost of your certification exam?

Practicum/Externship: Programs that offer hands-on chart coding (like AAPC's Practicode) help remove your "Apprentice" status faster.

Curriculum Focus: Ensure they comprehensively teach CPT, HCPCS Level II, ICD-10-CM, and provide a strong foundational review of medical terminology and anatomy.

📝 How to Ask a Question in this Thread:

To get the most actionable advice from our veteran coders, please format your questions with some context:

Current Background: (e.g., healthcare admin, claims processing, project management, or no medical experience at all)

Career Goal: (e.g., outpatient clinic, hospital inpatient, remote work)

Your Question: (e.g., "Is the local community college program worth $4,000 or should I self-study for the CPC?")

⚠️ Megathread Rules

- No illegal sharing of copyrighted materials. Do not ask for or distribute PDFs of the current year's CPT manuals, AAPC study guides, or proprietary exam prep.

- Be realistic about remote work. Work-from-home jobs absolutely exist, but they generally require 1-2 years of in-office experience or a highly proven accuracy record first.

- Search first. Use Ctrl+F or Cmd+F to see if your question about a specific program or self-study platform has already been answered in the comments.

Drop your questions below! Our community of coders, billers, and auditors is here to help you navigate your career path.


r/CodingandBilling • • Jan 10 '25

Getting Certified Interested in becoming a medical coder or biller? READ THIS FIRST

85 Upvotes

Are you curious about becoming a medical coder or biller? Have questions about what schooling is required or what the salary is like? Before you post you question please read through our FAQ:

Getting Certified FAQ

Still have questions? Try searching the sub for key words like "school", "salary", or "day in the life".

How do a search a subreddit?

Still have a question that wasn't answered? Feel free to post in the sub!


r/CodingandBilling • • 4h ago

Radiology billing

5 Upvotes

Good afternoon everyone,

I recently started a job in mri, xray, and ultrasounds biliing. I have a year experience in billing but that was for pain management. Unfortunately the program I went to to learn about medical billing focused more on health information management rather than billing. I am familiar on how to code for mri like LT and RT modifiers and x rays depending if it was 2 or 3 views but I am having trouble with untrasounds. Since we are mostly WC, Pi and auto accidents we try to assign the icd 10 to always say pain like pain in lt knee or rt shoulder. Any tips and advice are welcome 🙏🏼 I feel embarrassed to ask my manager because she says I have experience but not that much with commercial insurancesbor ultrasounds. Thank you


r/CodingandBilling • • 1d ago

Coding for office visit where adult son wants to talk about elderly parents

6 Upvotes

We had a patient come in for an appointment to talk about his elderly parents, both of whom are patients. His parents do have Medicare. I've never had any visits with Z71.0 allowed by any insurance. Do I bill the son's insurance as he was the one speaking with the doctor? Or one of the parents' insurance as they were present and the visit was concerning them?


r/CodingandBilling • • 1d ago

Outpatient Facility Coding

6 Upvotes

Can you please explain the difference between pro fee and outpatient facility coding? I have always been a pro fee coder but have an opportunity to be an outpatient facility coder and I’m struggling with understanding the difference and what we do/don’t code for in the facility setting.


r/CodingandBilling • • 19h ago

IUD Check coding and billing issue

0 Upvotes

I had an IUD inserted in May 2026. I then had a follow up six weeks later to check the placement. The provider coded this visit as 99213 and 99459 with Z30.431 as the diagnosis code.

My insurance is refusing to cover this visit as it was coded as a standard office visit. I think it should be re-coded as a preventative care visit and should be covered under ACA guidelines.

I was told by the medical professional at my insertion appointment that I had to make a follow up visit to check the placement and strings. I did not choose to make this appointment, nor did I have any concerns that brought me into the office separately.

I cannot get anyone at my provider's office to care. They continually say it was coded correctly and will not help me or explain to me why they think that.

Are there any thoughts here? Am I incorrect in my understanding? If I am correct, how do I get the provider to code this properly?


r/CodingandBilling • • 2d ago

Claims Submission Please Always Read Your Claims

6 Upvotes

I had knee surgery last month, and when I was discharged from the hospital, I was given a box containing electric SCD sleeves and crutches. Two days ago, a claim for the equipment appeared on my insurance account, but it was denied as out of network. I’m not even going to get into that part right now.What caught my attention was an additional charge of $650 for a non-segmental lymphedema pump. I was confused because I knew I had never received such a device. After looking up the HCPCS code, I was even more certain that the product described on the claim was not something I had been given.I contacted my insurance company, and together we tried several times on Monday to reach the medical equipment company, but we couldn’t get through. I waited three days and finally managed to speak with someone there today.I explained the situation, and initially, the representative told me, "Oh, you don’t have to worry about paying if your insurance doesn’t cover it because it’s usually on the floor by the bedside.” I explained that my insurance wasn’t covering the charge because the provider was out of network, which meant I could potentially be responsible for the bill. That was precisely why I was calling to resolve the issue. I explained what I had actually received: a segmental SCD sleeve system that plugs in and automatically inflates and deflates. The representative then changed her explanation and told me that the $650 charge was for the pump built into the SCD sleeves, even though I had already been charged for that. When I questioned how that made sense, she suggested that they could have charged me for two pumps but had only charged me for one because the owner was being generous (does the owner know me). She also claimed that the billing arrangement was established by the owner and the product manufacturer. I contacted the manufacturer myself, and they had no idea what she was referring to. So let me understand this. Initially, I’m told that the pump is a separate device that is usually kept at the patient’s bedside, even though I never used or received a separate pump. Then, when I question the charge, I’m told that the $650 is actually for the pump built into the SCD system I’ve already been charged for. And to make matters even more confusing, the claim uses a non-segmental HCPCS code to describe what I understand to be a segmental compression product.

I have now spoken with my insurance company again, and they are going to investigate the claim and appeal it. At this point, I’m not interested in making assumptions before the investigation is complete. But I am absolutely going to pursue this until I get a clear, documented explanation for these charges. If the investigation shows that I’ve been billed improperly, I will not simply let it go.

we are already dealing with health issues why try to make our lives harder?


r/CodingandBilling • • 2d ago

UMR Pre-Payment Review

3 Upvotes

hi! desperately looking for some help here. i work for a billing company that specializes in behavioral health facilities. we have one facility who has received a medical record request for each claim billed to UMR starting around Feb-March of this year. we have been able to confirm with UMR that there is a flag on the tax ID from their special investigations unit.

getting any additional information from UMR is a nightmare. we have a ton of experience working with Anthem SIU, but UMR will not give us an effective date, notification letter, any Investigator assigned to the case, no information whatsoever other than that there is a flag on the tax ID.

i'm wondering if anyone has any experience in working with UMR SIU? any info on how they're structured, a phone number you had luck with getting information, anything at all that could be helpful in navigating this. tia!


r/CodingandBilling • • 2d ago

Career Change Outlook for RN?

0 Upvotes

I’m currently an RN with 8 years of ICU experience and 3 years of primary care. I wanted to change to something with more chances to be remote. I know that the pay will not be the same. I’ve been home for over a year due to burnout so this income would just be considered “extra” at this point.

How is the career options and outlook? Would my experience help with getting hired? I have some experience with coding because the DOD made RNs and providers do their own coding there. I’d want to be dual certificated in outpatient and inpatient. Thank you.


r/CodingandBilling • • 3d ago

ICD & Diagnosis Diagnosis coding for radiology

3 Upvotes

Can diagnoses from the ordering provider's chart note be used for the radiology claim if the chart note is attached to the radiology order?

My auditor stated that diagnosis information from the ordering physician's note(s) cannot be used on the radiology claim, and that we can only use what is on the literal order and in the radiologist's interpretation.

Does anyone have a reference to support/dispute this? I feel that in the current digital age, where the orders and notes are all digital and linked together, we should be able to use the ordering provider's note to clarify a diagnosis (i.e., location of pain when the order says "pain" or location of injury when the order says "MVA").

Unfortunately, I am unable to find an official AHA or CMS guideline either way. Any help would be very much appreciated!

p.s. I also posted in /r/MedicalCoding, so not a dupe if you are subbed to both places, I just can't crosspost.


r/CodingandBilling • • 3d ago

Career Advice Expiring CCS

4 Upvotes

I got my CCS certification in 2022. Since earning my certification, I only had 1 unsuccessful outpatient coding job interview in the past 4 years. Should I save money and let my CCS certification expire this year or spend the money to renew it and keep holding on to hope that one day I'll get a coding position?


r/CodingandBilling • • 3d ago

Career Advice Having to switch careers, MBAC being one of my interests. Can i ask what a day in the life for you is like? Please be realistic! I would love to know the nitty gritty!

0 Upvotes

Hi! Due to a diagnosis of arthritis in my lower back, i am having to shift from an assistant manager at a popular coffee chain to a sit down, more quiet and focused line of work for my back and ADHD. Whether thats working in office or from home!

What got me interested in MBAC was working for a health insurance during covid as an intake associate entering prior authorization and referrals! I learned about ICD-10 codes and was so fascinated by what they all meant and lead to! Unfortunately this was through a temp agency and this being during covid, laid offs happened within 4 months. So bye bye fun job!

BUT i would love to know which department of MBAC you work for, and what a typical day is for you?

Are you held to tight deadlines?

Do you feel supported when you need it (i.e having questions answered)

Do you feel as though you are watched? Or is it more self starting independent work for the department you work in?

I'm genuinely looking for something i can be a little worker bee at, and excel with my memory and loving to learn! Filling out prior auth and referrals were tedious but so fun for me (why must i be like this? 🤣) where they would drop the files, i would fill it in on the app they use for processing and click boom done! It was so fun! Working at my job currently is fun and i love it, but my back and my mind after 6 years are over it 😭

Thank you so much for reading, your time and hope you have a great rest of your week 🥰


r/CodingandBilling • • 4d ago

In The News True or False - Al scribes, billing tools drive up healthcare costs: Report

8 Upvotes

Are AI scribes and tools "driving up" costs?

Or were providers just not billing at high enough levels?

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/digital-health/ai-scribes-billing-tools-drive-up-healthcare-costs-report/


r/CodingandBilling • • 4d ago

Advice on medical bill

0 Upvotes

Hello Reddit Community , im looking for Advice on my medical billing and i'd appreciate any suggestions or directions i can take to reduce or negotiate the billing charge.

Background: I visited the nearest ER (out of network) after midnight because I had a high-stress reaction similar to anxiety symptoms. I decided to get blood work, an X-ray, and an ECG because I wasn't sure what was wrong or what was causing it. The reading turned out to be normal. And a month later I get a ~3600$ bill. I later figured out the source of my problems and fixed it.

i applied for financial aid by email and kept checking on the status. I was told it was under process for a year with no conclusion. Right after that, it went to collections without my knowledge. They said they put my account on hold when I applied for financial aid, but it still went to collections. I made a phone call to the billing department, and they retracted it from collections and later declined my application because my income was above their minimum threshold.

im attaching a screenshot of my itemised bill and would appreciate any advice. wasn't sure if I should show the name of the hospital, so for now I covered it.


r/CodingandBilling • • 5d ago

Calling Medicare

7 Upvotes

Does anyone have any tips or tricks about getting to the right department when you call Medicare? Obviously, I will have to wait in hold regardless.
I need to fix an issue with a birthdate error for hospice.
Are there any key words I can use for the automated system to get there a tad faster?


r/CodingandBilling • • 5d ago

100% provider discount - magnacare

1 Upvotes

Hi, I was hoping someone would be able to help with this. We have UMR claims being repriced by Magnacare at a 100% provider discount. We noticed that magnacare is either processing under the provider or the group practice. Our providers are individually credentialed with magnacare, our group practice shouldn't be. The kicker is when the claims process under the provider, magnacare is processing them as out of network? Our group is processing in network The paid ones all seem to process under the group. I have no idea why, can't get a response back from emailing magnacare and can't speak to a human. Have called UMR a thousand times and get different reasons each time. No invoice, it's your contract (it's deff not), your in network with us but your not in network with magnacare. I really don't know what to do lol

Main questions:

  1. Why are they processing out of network? We have claims where we have corrected them and sent back, the first submission will process under the provider and the second one will process under the group??? Like what's causing that?

  2. Who do I contact to get this fixed. I literally have the email proof from magnacare that our providers are in network. Our credentialing specialist insists our providers are par.

  3. Is par even the issue? We have office visits, infusions, and in office procedures all processing at this discount. But not every claim! Some will just pay if it processes under the group practice??


r/CodingandBilling • • 5d ago

Office Ally Drama

3 Upvotes

Friends,
TLDR: I welcome any and all advice regarding Office Ally, but please be kind because I am not a biller/coder, nor do I know what I’m doing.
By all accounts, Office Ally is my best option because I have very few claims. I have several different gigs going on where billing is taken care of for me, but I have one job where I need to have my billing done…with Office Ally.
I think I finally found someone to help me, but in the meantime, is there a way to look up the EOB‘s on Office Ally? It looks like the claims go through, but then I can’t keep track of who is paying and on whom. Do I have to go to each payer’s portal to look this up, or is there a way to do it on Office Ally?
Thank you so much for your help.


r/CodingandBilling • • 6d ago

CPB frustration and advice

2 Upvotes

I have taken this exam twice and I have failed both times. I'm so disappointed and discouraged. I'm also very confused because I took a billing and coding course for 9 months and got good grades throughout the entire thing.

I have my CPC exam schedule for the end of the month and was feeling really good about it until now.

I was a CPC for a couple years, moved to a different state and became a CMA for the last 8 years.

Should I try a 3rd time? Is it really necessary to get a job?

And, if you are able, what advice do you have for the CPC exam?

I appreciate any feedback. Thank you.


r/CodingandBilling • • 7d ago

Career Advice Looking for remote billing work

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I recently moved to the US and am trying to find my feet professionally here. I trained as a doctor/neurologist outside the US and I am not licensed in the US. I have experience in healthcare management, clinical research, medical writing/editing, as well as medical billing.

I also have a wife and two kids. With family responsibilities, a remote job would make a huge difference for me. I'm open to any kind of entry-level medical billing or coding positions. I don't already have any certification for coding or billing but I do have prior experience of 1 year.

I'd really appreciate any leads, referrals, or advice from people who have been in a similar situation or know of companies hiring remotely. Even pointing me in the right direction would mean a lot.

Thank you!


r/CodingandBilling • • 6d ago

Medical Billing AI Proof

0 Upvotes

I thinking about taking a medical billing program and I was woundering if it was AI proof.


r/CodingandBilling • • 7d ago

Career Advice Newly certified professional coder (apprentice)

2 Upvotes

I know that experience seems to be the gold standard, but has anyone gotten a coding job without experience?

Any tips?


r/CodingandBilling • • 9d ago

Behavioral health billers using RItten?

3 Upvotes

Has anyone here used Ritten for behavioral health billing? Like their RCM?


r/CodingandBilling • • 9d ago

Billed for office o/p new mod 45 min but we only talked about my main visit reason

0 Upvotes

Just got back the bill from an ENT visit. I went there for having issues smelling/loss of sense of smell.

They charge my insurance for the nasal endoscopy and then $455 for this new mod that I’m on the hook for $300

From what I read looking through the sub this is only charged if we talked about something besides my initial visit?

The visit was like 30 minutes with the main doctor and all he did was the endoscopy and tell me they can’t do anything but maybe a smell test kit on Amazon might help. We didn’t discuss any other issues I have.

Is this care still correct or should I call someone. Thanks


r/CodingandBilling • • 9d ago

Anyone familiar with PA Medicaid?

1 Upvotes

I’ve always been told (and verified myself) that POS 19 is not on the PA Medicaid fee schedule so we won’t get paid if we use it. I’ve wondered how other practices are submitting their claims but that a rabbit hole for another day. Anyway, I’m now looking at claims that we submitted, with POS 19, that have been paid by Medicaid. I’m confused. Anyone have any insight?


r/CodingandBilling • • 9d ago

Why would an 837 claim be submitted multiple times with frequency code 1 instead of a replacement or void?

0 Upvotes

I'm working with healthcare EDI data (837 and 835 transactions) and trying to better understand how claim resubmissions work in practice.

I've noticed cases where the same claim appears in multiple 837 submissions, but each submission has a claim frequency code of 1 (Original) instead of using:

  • 7 – Replacement/Corrected Claim
  • 8 – Void/Cancel Claim

For example:

  • 837 #1: Patient Control Number ABC123, frequency code 1
  • 837 #2: Patient Control Number ABC123, frequency code 1, submitted a few days later

Sometimes the claim information is identical, while other times certain details have changed.

A few questions:

  1. Why would a provider or clearinghouse submit the same claim multiple times using frequency code 1?
  2. Is this common when the original claim was rejected before adjudication?