Staying Current in Medical Billing and Coding: CEUs, Updates, and Resources

Medical billing and coding isn't a "learn it once" profession. The code sets you use change every year. Payer rules shift quarterly or more often. New regulations, compliance requirements, and technology tools constantly reshape how the work gets done.

If you stop learning, your coding accuracy drops. Outdated codes get denied automatically. Unfamiliarity with new guidelines leads to undercoding, overcoding, or common errors that cost your employer revenue and put your job at risk.

There's also a direct financial incentive. Coders who invest in continuing education and additional certifications earn significantly more. AAPC's 2025 Salary Survey shows that coders with 3+ credentials average $81,227/yr, compared to $66,979 for single-credential holders and $55,721 for non-certified professionals. Each credential you add expands your job market and salary ceiling.

AAPC CEU Requirements. CPC holders need 36 CEUs every 2 years. At least 24 of those must be in your primary credential area (coding for CPC holders). The remaining 12 can be in any AAPC-approved topic. CEUs can come from conferences, workshops, local chapter meetings, online courses, journal articles with quizzes, and self-study activities.

If you hold multiple AAPC credentials, you need CEUs for each one, but there's overlap. CEUs that apply to multiple credential areas can count toward more than one certification. Check AAPC's CEU tracker (available in your member portal) to see exactly where you stand.

AHIMA CEU Requirements. AHIMA uses a recertification cycle that varies by credential. CCA holders and CCS holders both have ongoing education requirements. AHIMA tracks these through their Professional Development portal. The specific number of credits and timeframe depends on your credential level and when you earned it.

What happens if you don't complete your CEUs? Your certification lapses. With AAPC, you can apply for a grace period, but your credential shows as inactive until you complete the requirements. A lapsed certification can affect your employment, especially for remote positions where employers verify credentials regularly.

Two major code update cycles happen every year, and missing either one means immediate claim denials.

ICD-10-CM: October 1. CMS releases new, revised, and deleted ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes effective October 1 each year. Recent updates have added hundreds of new codes annually. CMS publishes the official update files and coding guidelines on its website months before the effective date, giving you time to review changes relevant to your specialty.

CPT: January 1. The AMA updates the CPT code set effective January 1 each year. Updates include new procedure codes, revised descriptions, and deleted codes. The E/M coding guidelines have seen significant revisions in recent years. The AMA publishes a CPT code change summary that highlights the most significant additions and modifications.

HCPCS Level II: Quarterly. CMS updates HCPCS Level II codes quarterly (January, April, July, October). These updates affect drugs, supplies, DME, and certain services. If you work in a specialty that bills significant HCPCS codes, tracking these quarterly releases is essential.

Payer-specific rules: Ongoing. Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payers update their billing policies, LCD/NCD coverage determinations, and prior authorization requirements throughout the year. CMS publishes Medicare transmittals and change requests regularly. Commercial payer updates arrive through provider portals and newsletters.

You don't need to spend a fortune on continuing education. Many high-quality CEU sources are free or included with your membership.

AAPC local chapter meetings. Most chapters meet monthly and offer 1 to 2 CEUs per meeting. Topics cover coding updates, specialty deep-dives, compliance issues, and career development. Attendance is included with your AAPC membership. There are 500+ chapters nationwide.

AAPC Healthcare Business Monthly. AAPC's member magazine includes articles with CEU quizzes. Each issue typically offers 1 to 2 CEUs. This is passive education you can do during lunch or commuting.

CMS Medicare Learning Network (MLN). CMS offers free web-based training on Medicare billing rules, code updates, compliance, and specific clinical topics. MLN courses are available at cms.gov and qualify for CEUs through both AAPC and AHIMA.

Payer-hosted webinars. Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs), Blue Cross, UnitedHealthcare, and other major payers host free educational webinars on billing guidelines, common denials, and policy changes. These are practical, real-world education that directly improves your daily work.

Free online resources. YouTube channels like Contempo Coding provide free coding walkthroughs. The AAPC forums host coding discussions that deepen your knowledge. See our free resources guide for a full list.

Don't wait until month 23 of your 24-month cycle to scramble for CEUs. Build a simple plan that spreads your education throughout the cycle.

Quarterly targets. With 36 CEUs required over 2 years, that's about 4.5 per quarter or roughly 1.5 per month. If you attend one AAPC chapter meeting per month (1-2 CEUs) and read one Healthcare Business Monthly article with a quiz (1 CEU), you're already on pace without spending extra money.

Align education with code updates. Schedule ICD-10-CM update training for August-September (before the October 1 effective date) and CPT update training for November-December (before the January 1 effective date). This turns mandatory code-update preparation into CEU credits.

Track everything in your portal. AAPC and AHIMA both provide online tracking tools. Log your CEUs as you earn them, not at the end of the cycle. Upload certificates of completion immediately. This prevents the panic of trying to reconstruct 2 years of activity from memory.

Consider adding a credential. Studying for an additional certification counts as professional development and results in a credential that boosts your salary and job prospects. If you hold a CPC and want to move toward hospital coding, pursuing the CCS is both education and career advancement.

Continuing education isn't just about maintaining your current credential. It's how you move up. Every additional certification you earn expands your job market and increases your salary. The path from CPC to specialty credentials (CRC for risk adjustment, CIC for inpatient, CPMA for auditing) is built entirely through continuing education and exam preparation.

Employers notice coders who invest in their own development. During annual reviews and promotion conversations, a track record of completed CEUs, additional credentials, and demonstrated knowledge of current guidelines positions you for raises, leadership roles, and the most desirable remote positions. Staying current isn't just a requirement. It's your primary career growth strategy.