Overview
AAPC accepts a variety of continuing education activities that support professional development in coding, billing, auditing, compliance, healthcare business, and related healthcare topics.
Most accepted CEUs fall into two categories:
Activities that have been pre-approved by AAPC
Activities that qualify under specific AAPC-approved exceptions
Pre-Approved CEUs
Most CEUs are approved through the AAPC CEU Vendor Program.
Approved vendors issue certificates that include:
An AAPC CEU index number
AAPC approval information
Approved CEU amounts
Approved vendors receive an index number from AAPC when educational activities are approved.
CEUs That May Be Accepted Without Traditional Pre-Approval
Some educational activities may qualify for CEU credit even when a traditional AAPC index number is not provided.
Examples include:
CMS-sponsored education
AHIMA-sponsored education
CME or AMA PRA Category 1 educational activities
Qualified post-secondary education programs
Eligibility rules may vary based on credential type and CEU category.
How Can I Determine If a CEU Is Accepted?
Review the CEU documentation carefully.
Questions to consider:
Does the certificate include an AAPC index number?
Does the activity come from an approved vendor?
Does the activity fall under an accepted exception category?
If you are unsure whether an activity qualifies, verify the approval status before relying on the CEU for certification maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every accepted CEU have an index number?
No.
Certain approved education categories may be accepted without a traditional index number.
Are all healthcare education courses accepted?
No.
The education must meet AAPC requirements and may require approval or qualification under an accepted exception.
Is a certificate enough by itself?
Not always.
Supporting approval information may also be required.