Loss of credentials???

[RebeccaWoodward*]

Curious.....

If you don't renew your membership, you lose your credentials?? I thought you would lose credentials if you did not keep your CEU's up to date!!! I received an email from the AAPC stating otherwise....

WHAT'S THE DEAL???

[btadlock1]

Curious.....

If you don't renew your membership, you lose your credentials?? I thought you would lose credentials if you did not keep your CEU's up to date!!! I received an email from the AAPC stating otherwise....

WHAT'S THE DEAL???

Makes sense to me...what incentive would you have to keep giving them money every year, otherwise?

[rthames052006]

Rebecca:

I read soemthing on the Flower City coders facebook page that says:

AAPC will implement a $50 CEU extension fee effective April 30, 2012. I know I also saw something about it somewhere else but I just can't recall at the moment...

Perhaps there is something on the home page here. I think we need to keep our members aware of this issue.

[RebeccaWoodward*]

Maybe I'm having a bad day but I thought my certifications were secured based on the participation and monetary purchases of my CEU's. I find it ironic that we have to pay to keep our certification yet anyone can google a coding question and have free access to our forum for coding information.

[Pam Brooks]

This is the guidance in regards to membership being linked to payment of your annual dues, and loss of credential if your dues aren't paid. Yikes. Did you get a letter from them?



AAPC Membership FAQ


Member Maintenance | Corporate Membership


Member Maintenance

When will my membership expire?
If membership payment or arrangements are not made by your expiration date, your membership will expire.
When will my credential(s) be revoked?
If membership payment/arrangements are not made or CEUs are not submitted within 90 days of your renewal date, your credential will be revoked.

[RebeccaWoodward*]

Thanks Pam. I've calmed down since my original post. I guess I didn't like the tone of the email I received. Of course I renewed my membership; time crept up on me. Again, thanks for the info.

[btadlock1]

Maybe I'm having a bad day but I thought my certifications were secured based on the participation and monetary purchases of my CEU's. I find it ironic that we have to pay to keep our certification yet anyone can google a coding question and have free access to our forum for coding information.

You hit the nail on the head, there. This is the only website that the general public can access and search freely, and I don't necessarily think that's fair. The access should be limited, beyond just the ability to reply to threads, or ask questions, if you're not a member. I'm not saying that non-members shouldn't be able to see anything, but they shouldn't be granted carte blanche, either.

BTW...here's the policy (http://www.aapc.com/membership/faq.aspx):
"Member Maintenance
When will my membership expire?
If membership payment or arrangements are not made by your expiration date, your membership will expire.

When will my credential(s) be revoked?
If membership payment/arrangements are not made or CEUs are not submitted within 90 days of your renewal date, your credential will be revoked.
When do I get my Final Notice for renewal?
Your Final Notice is sent via letter 75 days after your due date. You have 15 days to submit your payment and/or CEUs before a cancellation is processed.

When will I receive notice of my membership dues?
Members are sent the following notices:

•90-day CEU notice by email (if you have CEUs due that year)
•45-day notice by mail and email
•15-day notice by email
•1-day past-due notice by email
•30-day past-due notice by email
•75-day final notice by email (certified members)
•90-day cancellation notice by email and mail (certified members)
Throughout this period, we attempt to contact members at least two times by phone.

Could I still be a student member if I am certified?
Once you are certified, you are no longer considered a student.

Is there a payment plan for renewing membership?
Yes:

•Payment breakdown is $43/$41/$41 prior to renewal month or in renewal month
•Credit/Debit Card Only
•The first payment will be charged the day we set up the payment plan and the following payments will be charged automatically on the same day of the subsequent months (some exceptions apply). Please keep in mind once set up, the dates and card cannot be changed
•This is for individual member renewals ($125)
•Please call in to set up your payment plan at 1-800-626-2633 Ext. 197 for Cali or 121 for Kellie
•If you opt out mid-plan, no refund will be made and membership will be cancelled at regularly scheduled times. We will attempt to call you 2-3 times before this happens
•You can sign up for an exam after full membership is paid"

[btadlock1]

This is the guidance in regards to membership being linked to payment of your annual dues, and loss of credential if your dues aren't paid. Yikes. Did you get a letter from them?



AAPC Membership FAQ


Member Maintenance | Corporate Membership


Member Maintenance

When will my membership expire?
If membership payment or arrangements are not made by your expiration date, your membership will expire.
When will my credential(s) be revoked?
If membership payment/arrangements are not made or CEUs are not submitted within 90 days of your renewal date, your credential will be revoked.

Ha! We had the same Idea, I guess...didn't see that you'd already posted it!

[RebeccaWoodward*]

Thanks Brandi! As far as I'm concerned, the best thing about remaining a member is being connected to you fine folks!!

And just a side note...I don't know about anyone else, but it would be nice if the academy would make CEU's a little easier to obtain for the CPMA. I know that NAMAS offers CEU's but there should be more areas of selection.

[btadlock1]

I know it's expensive, but get the annual subscription to the AAPC's webinars - they have a LOT that are eligible for CPMA, and it's an easy 2 CEU's for each one. The 'on-demand' access is invaluable.
My employer pays for a corporate subscription for us, and I'm really fortunate for that, but if I didn't have that, I'd definitely purchase it on my own - it's well worth the money. (and that's not something I say often, about anything...).