Where to Find Free Aapc Continuing Education
In my estimation, we in healthcare, love initials after our last names. While I have no actual data to support my "theory", I'd say that most of us involved in healthcare (whether practitioners or allied health professionals) have more than one credential. Professional credentials are our way of proving our expertise in a given subject such as HIM, coding, compliance, CDI, billing, and so forth.
As nice as it is to hold credentials that prove our expertise, there is a "downside," in that we have the responsibility for maintaining the credentials via earning continuing education credit (units) aka CEUs. Earning CEUs is usually equated with costing money. Earning CEUs can be expensive. There are, however, many ways to earn CEUs without spending a dime.
It is important to understand that this article will briefly describe information for three healthcare-related associations, it will not be an in-depth discussion about credential maintenance. PLEASE NOTE: Anyone holding a professional credential is responsible for knowing the maintenance requirements.
AHIMA
CEUs must be relevant to the HIIM domains in AHIMA's Recertification Guide. AHIMA does NOT require CEUs be preapproved. As long as requirements outlined in the Recertification Guide are met, AHIMA will accept CEUs from other professional associations.
AAPC
AAPC requires all CEUs must come from a large pool of CEUs that have received prior approval by AAPC. See the AAPC website for specific information on their requirements.
ACDIS
CCDS holders must prove they've earned 30 CEUs relevant to the CDI field. Individuals can claim credit from other organization such as AHIMA or ANCC. See ACDIS site for specifics.
FREE CEUs
MRA
Here at MRA we offer free CEUs through our Education Series. Apart from our existing coding, auditing, and cancer registry services, starting in May, we created an educational webinar series in which free CEUs can be earned. For alternative ways to gain free CEUs see the examples listed below
Associations
Some associations offer free CEUs to members as a perk. Check your association's website thoroughly. You just may be surprised to find a few freebies.
Vendor-Offered
Vendors like 3M, AQuity, Verisma often sponsor one free CEU events for "attending." Following vendors on LinkedIn or perusing their websites and signing up for their email lists is a good way to start being invited to their free training. MRA also offers the opportunity to earn free CEUs through our Education Series.
MOOCs
Massive Open Online Courses – these are college level courses, many of which are free. Though the program has already started, St. Scholastica is offering an Ethical Leadership MOOC that qualifies for 12 AHIMA CEUs. You can find MOOCs via Google (or other search engines.) NOT ALL MOOCs ARE FREE.
GOVERNMENT-RELATED WEBSITES
CMS
Participation in CMS' ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Meeting Conference calls, meetings, and webcasts can qualify for AAPC and/or AHIMA CEUs.
NORIDIAN
Noridian offers education sessions, many of which qualify for AAPC CEUs. Check out their site and also verify that your professional association accepts Noridian's training for CEUs.
OCR, AHRQ, NIH
OCR had a webinar on proposed modifications to HIPAA and different webinar that covered medical equipment standards. AHRQ held a webinar in April on the Disparities and Barriers to Pediatric Cancer Survivorship Care. NIH has seminars, workshops, and conferences.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Don't just count on HIM companies and websites. Many healthcare-related companies and professional associations offer events that qualify for CEUs. Take advantage of Internet search engines using key words like "free" and "CEUs." Make sure to watch for those that charge for their events. Remember, check your professional organization's CEU requirements.
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Many will grant CEUs for preparing and presenting at local, state, and/or national meetings.
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Writing articles for professional journals will often earn free CEUs.
There are many ways to earn free CEUs; you just have to be diligent in searching your association's requirements. Remember, "free" does not mean you don't have to put in some time and effort in finding the free CEUs, however, they're out there!
CHARTS
| VARIOUS FREE CEU LISTINGS | ||||
| TYPE OF CE | TYPE OF COMPANY | COMPANY | TOPIC | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
| MRA | Vendor | MRA | Medical Coding Cancer Registry | https://www.mrahis.com/mra-education-series-registration-form |
| Webinar | Vendor | YES HIM Consulting | Topics vary. | You may have to do some digging on their site to make certain the offering(s) is (are) free: https://education.yes-himconsulting.com/ |
| Webinar | Vendor | AQuity.org | Example: Inpatient and Outpatient Spinal Procedure Coding | https://aquitysolutions.com/webinars/ |
| Webinars | Vendor | 3M | Examples: Clinical Validation Appeals: Establishing a Role for CDIS | https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/health-information-systems-us/resources/webinars/quality-series/ |
| Webinars | Professional Association | AHIMA | Look for Rewards Center after logging in to site. | Log in to: https://my.ahima.org/ |
| General Information | Professional Association | ACDIS | Earning CCDS CEUs | https://acdis.org/faq/can-i-earn-ccds-continuing-education-credits-through-my-acdis-membership |
| MOOC | Educational Institution | College of St. Scholastica | Examples: Ethical Leadership Leading Effective Project Teams | For further info: http://www.css.edu/graduate/non-degree-seeking/professional-development/massive-open-online-courses/mooc-help-and-faqs.html |
| MOOC | Education Company | Coursera | Varies – carefully peruse the site; many courses are free, many are not | https://www.coursera.org/ |
| Write Articles/ Take Quizzes | Professional Association | Healthcare Business Monthly from AAPC | Topics vary – check out the webpage for additional information | https://www.aapc.com/resources/publications/healthcare-business-monthly/ |
| The above list is for informational purposes only. It is not all inclusive. Free CEUs are not guaranteed. It is the responsibility of each credentialed professional to find, investigate and determine what/how CEUs can be earned and which will be accepted by their professional association. | ||||
| Links to Information on Association CEU Requirements | ||
| ASSOCIATION | INFORMATION | URL |
| AAPC | CEU Information - Members | https://www.aapc.com/medical-coding-education/help/#tab-6 |
| ACDIS | Earning Your CCDS Recertification Units | https://acdis.org |
| AHIMA | Recertification Guide | https://www.ahima.org/certification-careers/recertify/ |
| Other Links | ||
| ORGANIZATION | INFORMATION | URL |
| AHRQ | Webinars | https://www.ahrq.gov/evidencenow/projects/heart-health/research-results/results/webinars/index.html https://www.ahrq.gov/workingforquality/events/index.html |
| NIH | Events Information | https://www.nih.gov/news-events/events |
| CMS | CEUs for attending C&M Committee Meeting | https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/ICD10/Continuing_Education_Credits |
| NORIDIAN | Schedule of events | https://med.noridianmedicare.com/web/jfb/education/training-events |
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Source: https://www.mrahis.com/blog/free-ceus-for-medical-coders
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