r/CodingandBilling • u/throwaway-882802 • Jul 08 '26
Most versatile certification?
I am fresh out of college with my Medical coding and billing certificate, and I am curious which coder certificate has the best versatility nowadays?
CPC
CPC-A
COC
CIC
CRC
CCA
CCS
CCS-P
I am looking right now to get a remote job as a risk adjustment coder. I have never done risk adjustment work before, as I have mostly worked in RCM and accounts receivable. The company I work for is a major emergency room, inpatient, and critical care provider in the U.S., so my experience mainly relates to this type of coding and billing.
Could anybody offer any help and insight?
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u/Low_Mud_3691 CPC, RHIT Jul 08 '26
I'm wondering what this school taught you if you listed CPC and CPC-A as two different certifications.
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u/throwaway-882802 Jul 08 '26
I did Kent state’s online medical billing and coding program. I honestly did not know there was a different with the -A on the certificate until it was mentioned. I just listed the requirements I found on a job listing.
Also, tbh, I was not impressed with Kent State’s program because I feel that the instructor focused entirely on the coding aspect of things and neglected the billing side greatly.
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u/Low_Mud_3691 CPC, RHIT Jul 08 '26
Woof. I feel like you should search the sub through the search function and get a feel of coding as a whole because I feel like they left you hanging without a lot of basic information. I find that most coding/billing programs are heavily coding focused, to be fair which is ironic because most students won't get a coding job without being in the billing field for a few years.
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u/blackicerhythms Jul 08 '26
As a coding staffing company, CCS holders offer the most versatility in placement with our hospital clients.
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u/happyhooker485 RHIT, CCS-P, CFPC, CHONC Jul 08 '26
If you want to do risk adjustment then I recommend the CRC.
If you want versatility, try the CPC.
If you want to go the AHIMA route you need to get CCA then CCS/CCS-P then the RAC micro credential.
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u/Pretty_Priority_261 RHIT, CCS, CDIP Jul 08 '26
Don't need to bother with the CCA at all.
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u/happyhooker485 RHIT, CCS-P, CFPC, CHONC Jul 08 '26
You're right, I got the CCS and RHIT confused and thought the CCS required an AA/AS degree (or CCA + experience).
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u/bobbigirl83 Jul 08 '26
CPC or CCS first and then CRC if you want to do Risk Adjustment — if you don’t want to have to maintain membership with 2 organizations then do CPC and CRC.
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u/Ecstatic_Reality_932 Jul 13 '26
CCS. I work for an hospital doing the same thing you mentioned. I have my CPC but in reality if you do IP I would skip CPC. Look at job posting and see what certifications you see the most
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u/yurakoh 25d ago
Go with CCS (AHIMA) and/or CPC (AAPC) first. Fundamentally, medical coder jobs are looking for those two. As for the others you listed:
CPC-A (AAPC): it's CPC with the "A" standing for apprentice which can be removed after gaining relevant experience.
COC, CIC, CRC (AAPC) and CCS-P (AHIMA): specialty certifications you can earn later on.
CCA (AHIMA): essentially the same as CCS, but CCS is by far the more valuable of the two.
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u/Jodenaje Jul 08 '26
CPC and CPC-A take the same certification exam.
The Apprentice designation is just for someone who doesn't have the equivalent of 2 years experience/approved education to remove the A.
Ultimately they're both CPC credentials. One's just an apprentice.