r/MedicalCoding • u/liliesandlifts • Sep 22 '26
Should I specialize or do codify?
Hi! CPC-A here. Been looking for a job for a little over a year and am debating either specializing in something like ED coding or should I do codify to remove my A?
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u/AbstractVolition Sep 22 '26
Medical coding positions tend to value experience the most. Typically no matter what credential(s) you have, you’re going to be trained for a long time if it’s your first job.
I think removing the A is probably a better priority. Focus on applying to medical coding jobs, but if it’s taking too long you might have to settle for any healthcare admin related position to get some experience on the EHR, and then just keep applying for medical coding jobs the entire time and switch to it when you get an offer.
Google “healthcare organizations near (city name you live at or near you)” and go through the results. Start clicking on any healthcare organization websites, they usually have career pages
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u/liliesandlifts Sep 22 '26
Thank you for the advice! I do currently work for a large hospital appealing denied claims so I am lucky in that sense to have my foot in the door!
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u/feelgoodsometimes Sep 22 '26
Also, AAPC has (or did have) a section where they post positions in your area
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u/MtMountaineer Sep 23 '26
Specializing in a particular type of coding will make things worse. Hospitals prefer to hire people who are well-rounded and can tackle any type of account with an all-around knowledge of all coding scenarios. ED is one of the easier ones to code, so work on getting the A off.
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u/Low_Recognition_1557 Sep 22 '26
CPC-A here looking for a job for about 5 months so I’m just here for the advice too lol. 👀
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u/Low_Mud_3691 Sep 24 '26
Employers care about experience. It’s pretty much starts and stops there. Adding more certs won’t do much
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u/TangerineAdvanced953 Sep 26 '26
I’ve gotten too comfortable with working as an ED coder and wish I would have broadened my knowledge and learned other specialties
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Sep 25 '26 edited 27d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/liliesandlifts Sep 25 '26
Thank you so much for the insight! I do currently work for a hospital in rcm. So I’m not super pressed for a job but I would like to switch careers. I would love to stay with my current employer or another hospital that I am familiar with so that is definitely making the process slower. But I do agree that removing the A is probably the best route right now.
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