Right now I'm looking at attending the Andrews School for transcription (am I understanding that I will also be able to code as well or are they two separate programs?).
They are separate programs.
I have taken some course in Health Info Mgmt (to become an RHIT) at my community college, I'm a year away from my associate's.
I guess I'm just debating what would be better to do...finish the associate's or take the online course. I know that I would still have to get a certificate to have the CCS behind my name (which my school also offers)
I can't advise on which would be the better plan for you, but I do want to point out the correct information about the CCS.
There is NO EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT for the AHIMA CCA, CCS, or CCS-P credentials. Anyone can take the test. If you pass, they give you the credential.
You do NOT need a certificate from a particular school or any school for those credentials. You can walk in there today and take it.
Schools often get things confused because they teach RHIT programs and those ARE required for the RHIT. They end up making it sound as though the coding certificate from them is required, as well.
The same holds true for the AAPC's CPC, CPC-H, and CPC-P exams. There is no educational requirement. However, for those exams, there is an experience requirement. You cannot receive the full credential until you have 2 years of full-time experience in that coding area. Part of that can be fulfilled by completion of an educational program, however. They will give you a certification with a "apprentice" designation until you have the experience.
When your career and future livelihood depend on this, it becomes something you should investigate and figure out on your own. Don't take the word of somebody at your school. Don't even take MY word for it. Go to http://www.ahima.org and http://www.aapc.com and see for yourself. You might even learn something that will help you make your decision!
My goal is to work from home. I'm still not 100% sure if I'd like coding more or transcription since I haven't actually done either of them but I think I would like both (since I like medicial terminology, I type 75wpm, etc).
Right now, if you have no experience in either, it's easier to work from home in transcription than it is in coding. The learning curve in coding is steep enough that employers are very unwilling to let a new coder work from home. If they're credentialed, they might think about it, but it's rare.
Check the job market locally. Can you get a job in coding with the RHIT from your school? Can you get a job at all with the RHIT? Will any of those employers agree to let you work from home? That will help you make the decision.
If you only have a few classes or a year left to take, you might want to finish. A degree is a good thing; you'll be glad you finished it. Andrews will still be there later. We have had RHITs and RHIAs take our coding and transcription courses.
