Posted Dec. 1, 2008

Las Vegas is known as the "Entertainment Capital of the World," and from April 5-8, 2009, it will be the place to be for the annual American Academy of Professional Coders' (AAPC) National Conference. It is a fitting place for a conference on coding--a dynamic, changing town that never sleeps to host a profession that is the same.

Where else can you find so much--gaming, shopping, entertainment and the answers to your medical coding and billing questions--as you prepare for the coding credential exam?

Seasoned medical coding and billing professionals know how to get ahead in the business. It's not just what you know, but who you know. And a sure way to accrue both assets is by attending the 2009 AAPC National Conference.

Find Out Who's Who

When you enter the medical coding profession, you're not in it alone. There are a vast number of people eager to help you learn and start you on your career path. At the AAPC National Conference, you'll get the chance to meet people who can help you get where you want to go.

Meet National Advisory Board members. Get to know your local chapters. Make lasting relationships.

You'll have several opportunities to rub elbows with hundreds of professionals from different specialties during organized events, as well as on your own time.

Discover how being a certified coder can benefit your career. Explore how coders can participate in every aspect of health care. Consider alternative career paths you didn't know existed and learn how to take the first steps toward making a difference in the coding community.

Learn What's What

It doesn't matter if you're new to medical coding or if you've been in the field for 10 years; everyone is scrambling to keep up with coding changes. At the AAPC National Conference, you'll find the answers to all your questions regarding anatomy, ICD-9-CM changes, ICD-10 implementation, 2009 CPT code additions, revisions, and deletions, tighter fraud and abuse laws and more.

Whether you're new to the field or a veteran, you won't want to miss the latest in compliance rules and techniques, along with quality initiatives.

Newcomers Hit the Jackpot

Newcomers and seasoned professionals alike will also love the "How to Build Your Coding Career" session. And if you haven't yet taken your certification exam or you feel the need to brush up on your anatomy, you won't want to miss the 3-hour "Anatomy Expo."

If this will be your first conference, you won't want to miss the introductory event, "First-Time Attendees."

Come a day early to take your exam. Core and specialty certification exams are offered on Saturday, April 4. The best part is, after you take the exam, you can start earning continuing education units (CEUs)--a must-have for all certified professional coders.

You'll have the opportunity to enjoy eight educational breakout sessions and 45 educational sessions geared toward physician office, facility and payer coding arenas, earning up to 18 CEUs--all conducted by a host of experts in the medical industry.

The Place to Be

The 2009 AAPC National Conference is being held at The Rio (http://www.riolasvegas.com). Register online at http://www.aapc.com/conferences/las-vegas-national-conference-registration.aspx before Jan. 15 and pay only $695 ($995 for non-members). For questions, call (800) 626-2633.

A special hotel rate of $175 per night is available to attendees while space is available. Hotel and travel accommodations are the responsibility of the attendee.

For a complete agenda, hotel and travel information, a discussion forum, and a list of the 70-plus exhibitors, go online at http://www.aapc.com/conferences/las-vegas-national-conference.aspx. An electronic brochure is also available for download. To learn more about Las Vegas, go to http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov.

The odds are in your favor that you'll leave Vegas with a renewed sense of self worth and newfound insight into the value of credentials and an AAPC membership.

And remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, but what you learn during the AAPC National Conference will stay with you forever.

Brad Ericson  is director of publications at the American Academy of Professional Coders and has been writing and editing coding publications for 16 years.