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kgray76

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I am finishing up AAPC's Coding Class and plan to take the CPC exam within the next couple of months. I was thinking about going back to school to obtain the RHIT 2 year degree. What jobs could I do with a RHIT vs. CPC? I have researched it online but would like some feedback from actual employees in this field. Which one has opened more doors for you?
 
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Hello! I'm not trying to be negative, but I have found that almost everyone wants the AHIMA certs and RHIT, so far I've not been able to land a job with my CPC and I have an Associates degree in Medical Office Admin. as well, and several years coding/billing experience. So I'm not sure what the difference in jobs is, but if it were me, I'd get the RHIT in addition to your CPC, even though I'm not sure getting a coding job with the CPC will happen, atleast then your half-way to what they are looking for.
 
I think it may depend on your location and the type of employment you are seeking. Where I live, our local hospitals and their affiliates want the RHIT credential. I don't think they even recognize the CPC-H. However, Dr's offices usually employ either credential. I've seen many remote coding job offerings willing to accept either credential as well.
 
Alisa

I agree Bridgette I think it do have a little to do with location I have a Bachelors Degree along with my CPC certification I have been blessed with a very good professional position. Good luck Kgray76 I am sure you will do fine:).
 
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I have my RHIT and my CPC. I have found that it is difficult to find a position with just a CPC. I would recommend you getting your RHIT, CCA, or CPC-H in order to have more employment options. Most remote companies want outpatient coders, which your CPC won't cover. Good luck!
 
Snflwr81 said:
I have my RHIT and my CPC. I have found that it is difficult to find a position with just a CPC. I would recommend you getting your RHIT, CCA, or CPC-H in order to have more employment options. Most remote companies want outpatient coders, which your CPC won't cover. Good luck!
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Well, that's discouraging (and has been discouraguing). :mad: I hope my education, and money spent wasn't for nothing.

Bradford H. Thomas, CPC-A
 
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Incorrect. I have my CPC and have been remote coding from day one. I found employers were looking for candidates with their CPC NOT the RHIT. Of course, I am a coder and I was looking for coding jobs so that was my experience. Sometimes, I think a coder has to just get their foot in the door with a physical provider's office, gain experience and then apply to a remote job. That is what I did. I worked for 5 years on site before I got my CPC and then I got a remote job right away.
 
annettealey said:
Incorrect. I have my CPC and have been remote coding from day one. I found employers were looking for candidates with their CPC NOT the RHIT. Of course, I am a coder and I was looking for coding jobs so that was my experience. Sometimes, I think a coder has to just get their foot in the door with a physical provider's office, gain experience and then apply to a remote job. That is what I did. I worked for 5 years on site before I got my CPC and then I got a remote job right away.
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What company did you go through, I looking for remote work and I have my CPC and experience
 
This post was published over 10 years ago, and things have changed. AHIMA has moved into another direction and their coding certifications don't appear to hold the same weight with hiring managers as they did years ago. Hospitals and provider offices alike will generally hire a CPC, mostly because many hospitals are provider-based and/or do a great deal of ambulatory surgical and diagnostic work that aligns with the CPC credential. So for anyone considering an Associates in HIM, that's great, but make sure that you want to head in that direction. There are other degree programs out there that would be just as valuable, or even more so, if you consider what your career goals might be.
 
Pam Warren said:
This post was published over 10 years ago, and things have changed. AHIMA has moved into another direction and their coding certifications don't appear to hold the same weight with hiring managers as they did years ago. Hospitals and provider offices alike will generally hire a CPC, mostly because many hospitals are provider-based and/or do a great deal of ambulatory surgical and diagnostic work that aligns with the CPC credential. So for anyone considering an Associates in HIM, that's great, but make sure that you want to head in that direction. There are other degree programs out there that would be just as valuable, or even more so, if you consider what your career goals might be.
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I agree with this. I have certifications from AHIMA and AAPC and manage a coding team. AHIMA's coding prowess has declined significantly over the years. They appear to be refocusing on information management. I do not find that for hard-core coding tasks that an RHIT is as valuable as a CPC. RHITs have their own niche (document integrity, provider education, organizational skills). I also find a CPC is a "jack of all trades" and that they can do many tasks. If you want to focus, then get a CRC or COC or CIC (AAPC is great about having options). If you are not interested in coding all day long, but want coding-adjacent work, then I could see an RHIT being useful - but the cost is very (too) high, again, in my opinion. For my team, the RHIT is a "nice to have" but not a "need to have." On the other hand, folks that don't really understand coding (like a CFO) for example, are sometimes fixated on an RHIT because it requires some college...
 
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