There are many different credentialing organizations for medical professionals, two of the largest being AHIMA and AAPC. Both offer certification and continuing education opportunities, but there are some key differences between the two organizations. AHIMA is more focused on health information management, while AAPC specializes in coding and billing. If you’re looking to focus on a specific area of medical administration, be sure to research which organization is best for you.
What is AHIMA?
- AHIMA American Health Information Management Association is a trade association for health information management (HIM) professionals. AHIMA represents more than 103,000 HIM professionals in the United States and around the world.
- AHIMA members work in hospitals, clinics, government agencies, private practices, and other settings. AHIMA’s mission is to “advance the health information profession and support the people who work in it.” AHIMA’s memberships includes both individuals and organizations.
- AHIMA offers a variety of membership benefits, including publications, discounts on education and training, networking opportunities, and advocacy support. AHIMA also offers certification for HIM professionals.
- AHIMA’s certifications are recognized by the US Department of Health and Human Services as well as numerous state governments. AHIMA’s website provides more information about the Association and its activities.
What is AAPC?
- AAPC American Academy of Professional Coders is a professional organization for medical coding and billing professionals. AAPC memberships provide access to exclusive resources, including education, networking, and job opportunities.
- AAPC also offers credentials for medical coding and billing professionals. The AAPC credentialing process includes an exam and ongoing continuing education requirements.
- AAPC credentials are recognized by leading healthcare organizations, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the American Medical Association (AMA).
- AAPC memberships and credentials provide medical coding and billing professionals with the tools they need to succeed in their career.
Difference between AHIMA and AAPC
AHIMA and AAPC are two of the most well-known organizations in the healthcare industry. AHIMA is an acronym that stands for American Health Information Management Association, while AAPC is an acronym that stands for American Academy of Professional Coders. Both AHIMA and AAPC offer certification to individuals who want to demonstrate their expertise in the healthcare field. AHIMA certification is typically geared towards coding and billing professionals, while AAPC certification is typically geared towards medical coding professionals. AHIMA also offers a variety of educational resources, including conferences and online courses, while AAPC offers a variety of coding resources, including books and online tools.
Conclusion
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) are both professional organizations that offer certification in medical coding. However, they have different focus areas and membership requirements. AHIMA is more focused on health information management, while AAPC specializes in billing and insurance reimbursement. AHIMA offers a wider range of certifications, while AAPC has more stringent membership requirements. If you are looking to become certified in medical coding, it is important to understand the difference between these two organizations and choose the one that best meets your needs.
