You may be thinking about getting into medical coding or you may be finishing up your medical coding education.
What is the next step?
If you are interested in learning more… find an approved AAPC instructor and class near you(often these are offered online)
Certification. More specifically, the CPC- Certified Professional Coder exam!
Let’s talk about Certification
The CPC credentialed is highly sought after credential that proves your expertise in coding medical services and procedures performed by physicians and mid-level providers (Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants)
Medical coding is the process of translating diagnoses (including signs and symptoms) and procedures into codes to be billed to insurance!
Medical coders should have a strong foundation in anatomy, medical terminology, and pathophysiology! I will cover these topics and more, right here!
What’s on the exam?
- 100 multiple choice questions
- 4 hour time limit to complete exam
- The option to take the exam in person or online
- It is an open manual test: you will not be able to take the exam without your coding Manuals
- AMA CPT professional
- Your choice of ICD-10-CM
- Your choice of HCPCS level II
- Printed copy of guidelines
- Cost- You can pay for 1 attempt $399.00 or you can get 2 attempts for $499.00
- NOTE: 80% of students from an Approved AAPC Instructor and class
- Students who train with an AAPC approved course are 3 times more likely to pass their certification exam!
Exam breakdown
- MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY- 4
- ANATOMY- 4
- COMPLIANCE AND REGULATORY-3
- CODING GUIDELINES- 7
- ICD-10-CM- 5
- HCPCS LEVEL II- 3
- CPT- BROKEN INTO SECTIONS
- 10000 SERIES- 6
- 20000 SERIES- 6
- 30000 SERIES- 6
- 40000 SERIES- 6
- 50000 SERIES- 6
- 60000 SERIES- 6
- RADIOLOGY- 6
- PATH AND LAB- 6
- MEDICINE- 6
- E/M- 6
- ANESTHESIA- 4
- CASE STUDIES- 10
APPRENTICE STATUS
A brand new coder that successfully passes their cpc exam will receive their credential with an A attached.
The A signifies apprentice status and will be on your credential for 2 years of experience.
Your schooling with an approved AAPC course removes 1 year of your A, and then you can do the practicode coding experience that will deduct the other year. Working in the field of coding will also remove your A.
In order to have the A officially removed, you will submit proof to AAPC
- Successfully completing Practicode
- A letter from your approved AAPC instructor
- A letter from your employer
AFTER THR EXAM
On the AAPC website you will go to certifications CPC and then click on after thr exam to lean more about how to remove your A.
Maintain certification
You have put a lot of hard work in to let it slip through your fingers.
Medical field, the only thing constant is change. Change is inevitable, and in medical coding, you have to stay up to date on code changes, guideline changes, new procedures, and diagnoses.
AAPC requires all certified coders to maintain their credential by keeping current on the AAPC membership and continuing education units!
Happy Coding!