How Can AAPC Members Access Free and Low-Cost CEUs?
AAPC members have access to a variety of free and low-cost Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to maintain their certifications. This guide provides a step-by-step process to access these resources and outlines the available options.
Overview of Free and Low-Cost CEUs
AAPC offers several resources for members to earn CEUs at little to no cost. These include:
Local Chapter Meetings/Events
Test Yourself Exercises from monthly AAPC magazines (1 CEU each)
Members-Only Webinars (4 free webinars available annually)
CMS Web-Based Training (multiple free courses available)
Special Courses, such as the free AI in Medical Coding and Billing course (4 CEUs)
Note: Some resources, such as CMS courses, do not provide index numbers. Members must manually submit the time spent through their CEU Tracker.
Step-by-Step Guide to Accessing Members-Only CEUs
Follow these steps to access free and low-cost CEUs through the AAPC website:
Log in to Your AAPC Account - Visit aapc.com and sign in with your member credentials.
Navigate to the CEU Section - Option 1: Click the Certification tab at the top of the page and select Maintain Your Credential. - Option 2: Open the Training and Events dropdown menu and click Search for CEUs.
Select "Low Cost CEUs" - On the CEU landing page, use the left-hand menu to choose Low Cost CEUs.
Browse Available Options - Explore the listed resources, including local chapter meetings, webinars, magazine quizzes, and CMS training courses.
Available Resources
Local Chapter Meetings/Events
Attend meetings or events hosted by your local AAPC chapter to earn CEUs.
Test Yourself Exercises
Complete quizzes from the monthly AAPC magazine. Each quiz awards 1 CEU upon successful completion.
Members-Only Webinars
Access at least 4 free webinars annually. Additional webinars may be available for purchase. Note that these webinars do not automatically add to your tracker, so you must manually take note of the index number and enter it with the date you watched the video.
CMS Web-Based Training
Take advantage of multiple free courses offered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Note that these courses do not provide index numbers, so you must manually track and submit the time spent.
Special Courses
Enroll in the free AI in Medical Coding and Billing course, which awards 4 CEUs. Registration is available through the CEU listings or the course registration page.
Membership Requirements and Restrictions
Access to free and low-cost CEUs is a benefit of active AAPC membership. Members with inactive accounts must renew their membership to regain access.
CEUs earned through these resources must be submitted via the CEU Tracker to count toward certification maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I access free CEUs without an active membership?
No, free CEU resources require an active AAPC membership. Without an active membership, you can purchase CEU-bearing education from AAPC or other approved providers.
How do I submit CEUs from CMS courses?
CMS courses do not provide index numbers. You must manually record the time spent and submit it through your CEU Tracker.
Are there any additional free CEU options?
Yes, AAPC occasionally offers special courses, such as the free AI in Medical Coding and Billing course, which awards 4 CEUs. Check the CEU listings for current offerings.
Conclusion
AAPC members can easily access free and low-cost CEUs through their membership benefits. By following the steps outlined above, you can explore a variety of resources to maintain your certifications efficiently and cost-effectively.