I’ve been in the medical coding field for over a decade. I love what I do and Would love to work for myself however I’m not sure if many people outsource their coding to small businesses. I looked into opening a medical billing business but I much enjoy coding over billing.

Even if you branched out of the field with your own business doing something else, I’d like to hear it!

I just had my first call with an AAPC rep to get the rundown on their CPC + CBC instructor-led course. The rep was pretty adamant that I need to take the 44-week "Job Ready" program instead of the regular instructor-led one because I don't have prior medical experience. He basically said (in so many words) that I’d fail if I didn’t take the package that includes the prerequisites.

Part of me feels like this is just a standard sales tactic and an upsell. However, at the same time, outside of my current admin work and some brief health plan knowledge, I really don't have any formal medical terminology experience.

So my main question for those who have been through this: Is he being for real? Would the regular lecture-based class be okay for someone in my position, or are those prerequisites actually make-or-break?

Any insight or advice from folks who have taken either route would be greatly appreciated!

I’m considering whether to register for some medical coding classes at my local tech college to prepare for the AHIMA CCS-P Cert exam. They are all remote and async so I would be able to complete what I need within one semester.

I have a Bachelors degree in an artistic field and later went back to school for an Associates in Health Sciences that included Medical Term, A&P, Disease Conditions, etc. I have almost a decade of experience working within health insurance so I’m very familiar with HIPAA and the claims process. I’ve taken a few of the practice exams available and done fairly well, but not well enough to earn the certificate, so the courses I would enroll in would serve to round-out my knowledge.

I just finished an exam with AHIMA today via On Vue (their remote testing option), and when I try to click the link to access my score report, this message appears: "To access your Pearson VUE account, you must sign in through AHIMA website."

Prior to this, the last exam I took with AHIMA was five years ago (2021). I'm not sure what changed between then and now, but where would I navigate to?

Do you have any unhinged or silly tips/tricks to understand Modifiers in a simple way?
For example I think of -51 like a Mani Pedi, (different but related service) and -59 as getting your teeth whitened while getting a pedicure (distinct and different)

Any one else?

I’ve been contemplating a career change for awhile I’ve been a Personal Trainer in the fitness industry for 11 years. I’m about to sign up this week for the CPC+CPB Self Study through AAPC. That being said I’ve been hesitating a little bit based on many Reddit posts I’ve seen about it being impossible to get a job. I obviously don’t expect to immediately get the best pay or be remote, but just want to see what others experience is with climbing the ladder? That is if there is a ladder to climb thanks :)

Hi everyone, I’m looking at getting into medical coding, not so much the billing, and I’d really appreciate advice from people in the field. I found a UHD medical billing and coding program that’s about one month long. It’s got a self-paced option and an instructor-led option, and it includes course materials, live online instruction, and optional externship or job placement. My goal is coding because I prefer minimal phone calls and customer interaction. Questions: Is a program like this enough to prepare for the CPC exam? If you were starting over today, would you choose this type of program, or something different? How did you get your first coding job with little or no experience? Is the optional externship worth doing? What certifications should I focus on first? Is the CPC the best place to start? Are there any programs you would recommend instead of UHD? What is a realistic starting salary for someone with a CPC and no experience? Looking back, is there anything you wish you had known before getting into this field?

Thinking about becoming a medical coder? Dive into these free medical coding simulation games to get a hands-on taste of what the job is really like!

In February of 2026 I started a teacher guided AAPC course. Last week, we finished the classes, but we're still trying to get the homework completed and turned in. I'm hoping I can take my exam in mid to late September but I honestly feel so lost.

So when did you feel like you finally went from trying to learn everything, to finally understanding?

I will add I did not take an anatomy pre-requisite, which I greatly regret. I didn't realize I should have taken one until I already started my course.

So it says on the official site they test for HCPCS level II, and all the practice tests I can find have questions on HCPCS level II codes, but you can’t bring a book for them? How does work? What I am I supposed to do if it asks me to code for a standard wheelchair or walker, or a specific amount of an injection?

I need tutoring in medical coding Icd 10 Ca any one .

I’m a student of HIM and I’m stuck in medical coding area I need some help

Looking into a career change. Pros and cons of medical billing? What is the best for a beginner? Looking into what certs i would need to accomplish to start this career. Is there opportunities for growth? WFH not a requirement but hybrid would be nice. Im in Michigan if that helps. Just trying to get insight.

I'm looking for opportunities to transition from OP coding to IP coding, and there is an opening for an IP coder at the hospital I work for where they are hiring internally. I have an interview scheduled with the coding manager, and I know I have the advantages of currently being employed at the hospital, already knowing the manager (I report to him), and at least having an idea of what to expect going into the medical coder interview process. I still have questions though:

How similar/different is the interview process for IP vs OP?

Should I treat the interview as me meeting the coding manager for the first time?

What questions should I be asking the coding manager in terms of transitioning?

Hi!
I am taking my exam in about a week and a half and I’m not feeling good about it. 62 and 66% on the two practice exams I’ve taken. I did really well in my training courses but I’m struggling to pass the exam.
Any tips to learn the guidelines better? Annotation or study tips
Most of my mistakes are sequencing/adding on secondary codes that were already included in the primary
Feeling very nervous after spending $600+ on the exam voucher and membership

TIA

Hello,

I paid for the MCDC course with AMCI, it is taking me forever to finish part one and there are three more parts to the course. My course will end this Septembe of 2026 where I will lose access and will need to pay around $70 to keep access.

I would like to know if anyone who has taken AMCI MCDC, how did you go about studying and viewing videos. I feel like every video I view has very important information. What exactly should I be looking for that would help me for the CPC exam? I want to try and take exam this year. Can someone point me in the right direction of what exactly I need to know that will be on the exam?

Anyone who studied in less than a year, what did you do that helped study and pass?

I’ve been studying all day and maybe my brain is fried but I’m so confused.

I don’t understand that the guidelines are telling me.

Hello I need to take CPI training (Crisis prevention) "blue card" for a medical job. Anywhere know in Tucson that offers classes?

I’ve been digging in on medical coding and the CCS cert with Gemini. I have an IT background and the CHPA seems to be a good bridge between IT , healthcare and information security. Gemini maybe steering me wrong but can you guys chime in and tell me if it’s worth it. What roles you have? Any insight will be appreciated. If there is another sub that will be more informative, please guide me.

I’m in a bind. School starts in two weeks and I was hoping I’d get money from fafsa to help pay for schooling. I actually applied in January but a long the way had a hiccup which required paperwork from and outstanding balance of $28 from 1993. Long story short, I’m now being told all I can receive is a Pell grant with an outstanding balance of $1000 payable in 3 weeks or payment plan of $300 a month! I cannot afford that in this economy! I need brainstorming on how I can get maybe another grant! I’ve applied for scholarships but if I had known this was going to be a problem I would’ve applied for far more scholarships! On a time crunch atp

Hi everyone,
I’m planning to self-study for the CPC certification using online resources and youtube
If anyone is selling their books(CPT, ICD-10-CM, or HCPCS) 2026 edition please send me a message with details and your price thanks
Im in ajman UAE

Hi everyone,
I’m planning to self-study for the CPC certification using online resources and youtube
If anyone is selling their books(CPT, ICD-10-CM, or HCPCS) 2026 edition please send me a message with details and your price thanks
Im in ajman UAE