I just noticed that the AAPC National Conference in April is close enough to me that I would not need a hotel room. Shall I go? Would love to hear from anyone who has attended one. I expect to be most of the way through Coding Module III at that time. If there are local employers there, should I even be talking with them at this point, or is it still too early? There is an ICD-10 track that interests me, and I wonder if future employers will like to see that I attended and can hopefully pass AAPC's ICD-10 Proficiency Assessment.
Or maybe I should just sit tight, stay home, and focus on my studies. My objective is to be as employable as possible and as qualified as possible when I begin working, and I'm not sure if attending the conference would help or hinder that goal. Thanks for any advice and insight!
If I had the opportunity...I would be there!!! I hope you go! You'll get to see and meet people in the industry! I would go with questions and seek out everything that interests you!!! Let us know what you've decided to do. I encourage you to go and have a blast!
Attending a national conference would be a great place to network. :)
Don't get involved in any detailed ICD-10 learning at this point. You need to wait until you are finished with your studies and have passed the CPC and the CCS.
There will be plenty of time to learn ICD-10 after you have become a certified ICD-9 coder. Employers are not hiring ICD-10 coders at this point.
Good advice from both of you, Debbie and Debby. It's good to know that I should not get caught up in ICD-10 yet. I'm still pondering the cost/benefit ratio of the conference, as I will not have taken the CPC exam yet and will not be able to apply the CE credits. All the same, it looks like a fun learning experience! If I do attend, I'll post a report.
Donna,
Have a good time if you go! Even if it all sounds foreign to you...at least you're being "exposed" to the coding world! I am going to join AAPC and start attending the local chapter meetings here. I think it will be a great experience to meet the people in the industry. I wish you all the best in your studies! and your exams!!!