Should a School Teach From AAPC Curriculum?

A question we receive frequently has to deal with teaching the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) curriculum. After all, since we’ve recently discovered that the AAPC doesn’t have the power to accredit medical coding schools or programs and there aren’t many benefits to partnering with them. Why would you teach from their curriculum? 

OK, where to start with this one… you might want to take a seat.

The AAPC Curriculum Conundrum

The thing is, some schools misinform the prospective student by stating that they use AAPC curriculum and that they have to pay a substantial fee to the AAPC to do so. Then the AAPC will say that if a school doesn’t use its curriculum, then the school is basically “taking the easy way out.” Let’s discuss why this is the most backwards statement anyone can ever say. 

Why Fees Aren’t The Issue

Let’s give it to you straight: AAPC curriculum fees are not substantial. Schools or programs that partner with the AAPC for books pay a fee that isn’t outrageous. Any school that is licensed with its state can easily make the yearly payment. The nominal curriculum fee is not a reason an organization might choose to not partner with the AAPC. Instead, schools or programs will choose the AAPC curriculum because it’s an easy way to teach students.

It’s much more difficult, on the other hand, for a medical coding program to develop its own curriculum. It’s hard, not easy! So how on earth is that taking the easy way out? The easy way is paying the yearly fee to the AAPC, because you don’t have to do any of the work. You simply use the slideshows, PDFs and presentations. It’s zero investment of time when you choose to use another organization’s materials. It’s a sacrifice.

Medical Coding Academy’s Curriculum

When I (Mrs. Delissa Ortega) started Medical Coding Academy, I thought it would be a good idea to partner with the AAPC. I thought that it would make my life easier and also make it easier for students to study and pass their exams/quizzes. 

Then this happened….

Students started to tell us that they felt lost. “Mrs. Ortega, can you make it simple?” I took down the lessons and began to break down the basics. I developed a curriculum that is going to shake up the industry. I relentlessly pursued a way to have students take medical coding classes and then actually be able to pass their exams on the first try. It was keeping me up at night and I had to figure out a way to come up with a solution.

The Solution

I figured out what was confusing, what needed to be emphasized and what could be minimized. I make it simple. When things are simple, you’re going to elevate the effectiveness of your educational presentation. So I took that philosophy—along with my many years of professional medical coding experience—and made it my duty to fill in all gaps for my students and teach what they badly needed to learn. The result? Medical Coding Academy Online.

One Final Note

Exam concepts remain the same no matter what curriculum you’re using. If the AAPC writes the tests, why not go straight to them for medical coding education instead of a partner school or program? It doesn’t make sense and brings up ethical questions. 

At the end of the day, you don’t want to just focus on going to a school that uses the AAPC curriculum. Invest in a program that will actually help you pass the exam on the first try. Finally, if at all possible, to get in front of your prospective teacher and get to know them before you give them a significant investment.