How Many CPC CEUs Do I Need Every Year To Stay Certified?

First of all, congratulations on being a certified coder! This not only means you display the aptitude for mastering the length, in-depth material but also made a commitment to preparing yourself. As you likely expected, learning coding material once isn’t sufficient if you expect to maintain positive employment. That same spirit of preparing for examination must continue throughout your career if you desire steady employment and chances to advance.

You Have To Keep Learning With CEUs

This is because medical coding is a constantly changing environment, as new codes are added and old codes are scrapped constantly. Technological advancements increase the amount of medical research existing, so coders need to be just as adaptable by the time that ripples of change reach them.

Thus, CEUs were born. CEU stands for “continuing education unit,” and it is a practical means through which coders demonstrate determination to stay afloat regarding new coding information. You can obtain CEUs through attending events approved by the AAPC as enriching, instructing at a post-secondary school (with pre-approval), or completing post-secondary course work. In short you need to complete continuing education for every medical coder's certification you hold.

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) strives to make CEUs as simple as possible for its certified coders, providing several online tools to help its coders establish CEU approval and track their units. The purpose of CEUs works well alongside the AAPC’s mission to create a community of coders; the organization promotes workshops, presentations, and other events that help coders stay current while meeting one another and developing long-lasting rapport.

You have to earn a certain number of CEUs semi-annually to maintain your certification, and the number depends on how many certifications you hold. If you hold one certification, you require 36 CEUs every two years. Two certifications require 48 CEUs, three certifications require 60 CEUs, four certifications require 72 CEUs, and five or more require 80 CEUs.

Rather than looking at these requirements as a burden, approach them as an opportunity to retain that youthful studiousness that landed you these certifications in the first place... and if you only hold one single certification you may want to consider getting a second advanced certification. The CPC-H for instance is a good way to improve your resume and possibly increase your earning power as a medical coder.

The Difference Between A CPC And A CCS Credential

If you’re looking to get into the field of medical coding and find yourself pondering the distinction between a CPC and CCS, you’re in the right field. After all, medical coding is all about critical thinking and meticulous attention to detail, so good job!

Both CPCs and CCSs are types of coding certification you can acquire through official educational programs. Beginners in the coding field are universally encouraged to seek either certification because both are generalized and thorough in coding, anatomy, terminology, and policies. Both certifications are recognized throughout the world and stand firmly in the job market.

However, they differ in many respects, and these differences will help you choose which is right for you:

• A CPC is recognized by the AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) as a “Certified Professional Coder.” A CCS is recognized by the AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) as a Certified Coding Specialist.
• CPC certification primarily focuses on coding in outpatient contexts (typically when a patient is discharged within 24 hours, as in a doctor’s office), whereas CCS certification focuses on inpatient contexts (typically when a patient stays at a medical facility until recovery).
• CPC certification is the standard expectation of professional coders and has a higher pass rate. CCS certification, on the other hand, is equally as popular among coders but less expected and more difficult to obtain.

It makes sense that a CPC is more popular, given that a majority of medical visits are not lengthy stays in a hospital; instead, a great number of visits are check-ups, vaccinations, dental cleanings, and other one-time stops. It also makes sense that a CCS is more difficult to obtain because an inpatient case generates lengthier reports, increasing the amount of information a coder must work through to codify and bill a patient’s insurance provider.

One alternative is to go for a CPC-H which is the AAPC certification for hospital work. Much like the CSS is focused primarily on inpatient situations a CPC-H can also offer a more focused approach and can sometimes help you land better paying jobs in a hospital or large practice.

What Is A Medical CPT Code

Since it first appeared in seventeenth century London, early forms of medical coding dealt primarily with mortality and everything associated with it: diseases, death rates, and recognized symptoms of diseases or ailments. Considering that codifying medical conditions arose from the era of bubonic plague in Europe, it is easy to see why early “coders” were so preoccupied with death and all its causes.

It was not until four hundred years later that medical coding fully advanced into its current form. The 1960s marked the birth of CPT codes, which stands for “Current Procedural Terminology.” These codes were developed and presented by the American Medical Association (AMA) to represent medical services.

These codes contain five digits and describe a variety of medical attention forms. For instance there is a code for everything ranging from routine check-ups to vaccinations. The comprehensive set of codes is released and regularly amended by the AMA to ensure that it retains its accuracy and effectiveness, regularly re-releasing the official publication.

CPT codes are critical to any medical facility in the United States. Without CPT codes, a medical coder and biller would be unable to accurately bill an insurer or patient. A coder must have access to accurate and thorough codes describing medical conditions and treatment. Linking the diagnosis code to the code of the treatment rendered makes billing a high-efficiency machine, cutting payment delays and securing customer satisfaction.

CPT codes are not accessible to the general public for free because the AMA publishes these codes itself and therefore exercises considerable control over their release. Medical coders or those aspiring to break into the field, however, can purchase code books and corresponding computer software through the Internet or programs from the AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) or AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association).

Medical Coding Training Programs: Which One Is Right For You?

To get into medical coding or to advance your career as a medical coder it is imperative that you improve your skills as a coder and obtain the highest level of training and credentials as possible.

Despite the fact that you are not required to be certified to work as a medical coder does not mean that you can skip this step.

Below I've outlined a few of the most common types of medical coder training programs and career paths available. Some require more time than others and some requires more financial investment than others.

Medical Coder Degree Programs

There are two main types of degree program paths. You can:

• get a medical coder's certificate from a trade school or
• you can get an Associates degree in Medical Billing & Coding from an accredited University.

Both of these options will get you in the door and both will make you look like an attractive candidate to prospective employers but neither come with a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) designation.

After completing either program you may still want or need to take the CPC Exam to get fully certified by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). This will ensure you have the best chances of scoring the best of all medical coding jobs available.

Training For A Medical Coding Certificate

If you choose to train for a Medical Coding certificate your educational path will be much shorter. You do not need these certificates to work in the industry and you don't need a certificate to test for your CPC credential but you do need to show prospective employers that you have some educational background in the industry.

Most certificate programs are short and sweet and provide students a quick and easy process for learning the basics of coding and billing and working in a medical setting. The certificates do not cost as much to obtain either so they are excellent options for people looking for a quick change in careers or for those who need to get working as soon as possible.

Training For A Medical Coding Degree

If however you are fine with a bit more of an investment in time and money you can really set yourself up nicely for a career in coding by enrolling in a 18-24 month medical coding degree program. These programs are much more extensive and show employers that you have a much superior knowledge of the job.

Credentials from AHIMA such as the RHIA or RHIT credentials cannot be obtained by someone who has not obtained a medical coding degree. If you want or need to get credentialed by AHIMA then these classes will have to be taken.

Even though the AAPC doesn't require a medical coder's degree to take the CPC exam doesn't mean this is not a good option for them either. Like all other jobs having the degree makes a huge difference to employers looking for new talent in the coding and billing office.

What's The Best Way To Prepare For The CPC Exam?

If you are preparing for the CPC exam, chances are that you seek certification to practice medical coding. As with any test, there are certain strategies you can use to help you along in the process leading up to the test. Not everyone passes the CPC exam on the first try and some people fail it many times over. You don't want to be one of those people.

Here are recommended steps in preparing for the CPC exam:

• Set study expectations. First, you have to define for yourself what the “best way” to prepare means. Are you looking for the preparation strategy that maximizes your chances of passing or the one that is the quickest? Without a thorough background in medical coding, you cannot reasonably expect the quickest method.
• Use a study guide. Because medical coding is such a popular industry, the AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) and many third party vendors offer a variety of official CPC study materials. Like with any other test, a CPC study guide will familiarize you with the level of content the test will require you to know. MCCP has a list of CPC exam study guides here in various price ranges.
• Take advantage of practice exams. Practice exams are strongly recommended by the AAPC itself for everyone – regardless of their medical coding background. Even if you are fluent in medical jargon and human anatomy, being unfamiliar with the nature of the questions and the time crunch of the real test can run you into the ground. Click here for a short list of recommended practice exams.
• Diversify your strategies. Generally speaking, the “best” way to prepare for the CPC exam is a multi-pronged approach: taking coursework to strengthen your content knowledge, using study guides to gauge the content requirements, and taking official CPC practice exams to learn the exam’s format.

While medical coding is a highly specialized field, it is important to treat the CPC exam like any other content-based test. Take time to develop a background in the subject, find out how much of the subject you need to know for the test, and familiarize yourself with the exam itself.

Do You Need To Take A CPC Preparation Course before Taking The CPC Exam?

Medical coding is a complex career, meeting at a cross section of medicine, number analysis, and insurance billing. This is why breaking into the field is best treated as a thorough learning and testing process.

Like many certification processes in the medical industry, becoming a certified medical coder requires intensive examination. The exam itself has a duration of more than five hours and a blend of medical theory and coding systems. If you are looking to take the CPC exam, it is already sure to be a difficult path.

Thus, it is important to remember that taking short cuts is not the wisest way to approach medical coding certification. Do you need to take a preparation course before the exam? No, but it is strongly recommended.

Here are several critical reasons not to skip out on a preparation course:

1. According to the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), the only reason you should opt out of a preparation course is if you have strong and relevant experience or background in coding and medicine; even then, you still run the risk of having out-dated knowledge.
2. Coursework will require you to have current medical coding texts, and so will the test. Taking a preparation course will motivate you to acquire the right texts ahead of time and familiarize yourself with them.
3. If you pass the test and apply for positions in the medical coding field, it will be advantageous to have taken CPC exam preparation courses. It communicates to prospective employers that you dedicated yourself and invested in the certification process.

Ultimately, it is your decision whether or not to enroll in CPC exam preparation courses. Many test takers who opt out of preparation courses do so because they have interned with medical coders or do not wish to spend the money for courses. If you may be among such people, consider that nothing beats learning on your own accord and making the investment in your future.

Top CPC Practice Exams To Help You Pass The CPC Certification Exam

Some people are fortunate enough to be able to naturally test well. Others on the other hand need a lot of practice, even when they are well versed in the subject material.

Below are a select handful of practice exams you can take in preparation for the CPC certification exam.

If you have trouble with test taking or need a supplement to your CPC preparation courses I highly recommend taking a practice exam immediately prior to taking the actual medical coding CPC exam.

The following practice tests are filled with questions you might encounter on the real exam and should help you identify your weaknesses while refining your test taking strategy.

Top CPC Practice Exams

The Medical Billing & Coding CPC Practice Exam is a top exam provided by a third party. You can take the AAPC practice exams but unless you are a member the MB&C set of practice questions will be a lot cheaper.

What makes this practice exam the best deal in my estimation is that the exam does not only feature the answer key for each question but provides full rationale for the answers. This can help you understand the material better so that you can score better on the real test later on.

Click here to learn more.

CPC Exam Study Guides - Pass The Medical Coding Certification Exam On The First Try

Medical coders do not have to be certified through the AAPC however it is essentially an industry standard that virtually all employers look for in a coding environment.

The AAPC has a collection of study guides and pre-exam documents which have helped many people over the years. They are however expensive, even after the applied member's discount, and they are exhaustive.

This can be a great thing but for those who need the information in a more condensed and affordable product I recommend utilizing one or more of the following CPC exam prep guides.

Medical Coding Video Review Course

The videos in this package are complete and updated. There is almost 10 hours of videos online that you have access to and companion DVDs are mailed to you to watch from your living room TV. It will help you learn medical terminology, medical codes, and prepare you for all aspects of the exam in the most efficient way possible.

This video package also comes with telephone support for questions as well as access to a monthly webinar and it costs a fraction of the official AAPC CPC Preparation Course.

Click here to learn more.

The Official AAPC CPC Certification Study Guide

It's hard to beat the official study guide for the CPC exam than the guide produced by the test administrators.

This guide can be purchased on the AAPC website but it is only available at a discount to AAPC members. If you are not yet a member you can learn more about the official CPC exam study materials and buy the guide through the link below.

Click here to learn more.

The Carol Buck CPC Coding Exam Review

Less expensive than the official AAPC study guide, this guide written by Carol J. Buck, MS, CPC, CPC-H, CCS-P is a fine alternative.

Not everybody finds this guide more useful than the AAPC guide book but many do. It is written in a different style and coming from an outside source it has a different perspective on actually taking the examination.

Considering that this resource is a lot cheaper than the AAPC study book and that so many medical coders have used it in preparation for their certification testing it is worth checking out.

Click here to read more about this study guide.

Additional Exam Prep - The Practice Examination

In addition to a quality exam prep guide book you should also consider taking one or more practice tests. The CPC exam is a long test that costs a lot of money to take. Get it passed the first time and you'll be much happier.

See this page for more information.

Our Recommended Human Anatomy & Physiology Online Course

One of the most fundamental requirements of any medical coder is a substantial understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology.

No matter where you work, a physician's office, a hospital, or for a payer you will perform better at your job when you have a deeper understanding of the human body and medical terms.

The AAPC has an anatomy course available to memebers but it costs a substantial sum of money, even after the member discount. It's reasonable to assume that this course is the gold standard and is required but here at MCCP we belive that frugality is a virtue.

Dr. James Ross' Online Human Anatomy Course is a fraction of the cost of the AAPC's and it covers all your bases and should exceed your expectations.

At such a reasonable price it would be entirely odd to not at least take a look at it...

...of course many people do not need this primer course. Those who are already experienced or knowledgeable in anatomy and medical terminology should simply study and take a CPC practice exam, and then go pass the test.

Click here to learn more about Dr. Ross' Human Anatomy Course.

What’s The Difference Between The CPC And The CPC-P Coding Certifications

Based from the latest information, American Academy of Professional Coders or the AAPC has already certified about 70,000 professionals under the health information management field. In addition to this, there are different coding certifications available nowadays such as CPC and CPC-P. Perhaps, you want to know the difference between these two certifications.

When you encountered CPC or Certified Professional Coder certification, this gives opportunity for professionals to work in office setting. Moreover, having this kind of certification means that you have sound knowledge when it comes to languages like HCPCS Level Ii and CPT. In addition to that, this certification indicates that you also have knowledge about ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes.

On the other hand, Certified Professional Coder - Payer or the CPC-P certification means that you have expertise in reimbursement methodologies applicable in great medical coverage and settings. In addition to that, this also indicates that you have skills needed in reviewing payment systems and other related matters. Examples of these are HIPAA compliance regulations and rules as well as health insurance concepts.

These are some of the differences between CPC and CPC-P coding certifications. Though there are differences when it comes to these certifications, both play a very important role in terms of making information relay in a department a lot efficient and organized. As mentioned, there are also other certifications that you can find out there such as the CPC-A or apprenticeship designation or the more advanced CPC-H designation.

Additionally there are many specialty certifications that you can attain which focus in on different fields in medicine. These special certifications give you more appeal to employers dealing with certain types of medical scenarios versus the whole gambit. This post covers many of the popular subspecialty coder certifications you can get to stack on top of your CPC or CPC-P credential.

It is best for you to learn more information about those certifications by means of conducting your own research and even asking questions from people currently employed in these fields.

How to Get Experience In Medical Coding – Try Finding An Internship

Before you can assume a work as a medical coder, there are certain requirements that you need to secure first. One of the most important requirements you need (other than obtaining your CPC certification) is your experience in medical coding.

One of the best ways for you to have experience is through undergoing an internship also known sometimes as an externship.

Usually, there are some colleges and programs out there that already incorporate an internship in their practicum. This means that their students will be given the chance to work offsite especially in approved clinics or hospitals. Usually, you are required to attend your internship about 8 up to 16 weeks based from the curriculum offered in your school.

Once you are already complete with your experience, you are now prepared to take your certification examination. You don’t need to do it in this order but the internship will help you land a CPC-A employed position afterwards which will help you get the added experience necessary to earn the full CPC designation. See this post for more on the differences between the CPC-A and the CPC.

But what do you have to do when internship program is not offered in your school? The answer is to volunteer. There is no legal requirement to be certified by the AAPC before you work so volunteering in the field of medical coding may make landing your first employed position after taking the CPC exam a bit easier.

There are many institutions that will allow you to apply as a volunteer. By means of this, you can already secure the experience that you need. See to it that you apply for volunteer position in trusted and in reliable companies.

Now that you already know the information on how to have experience in medical billing, you can already have a secured feature. Just see to it that you give your best shot during your internship so that it would be possible for you to know in depth skills and knowledge under medical coding. Then make sure to make a difference in the workplace. It will help your career as well as the financial health of your employer.

What Are The Requirements For Medical Coding Certification?

Every certificate program will surely need you to have a diploma in your high school or any equivalent.

The next stage in medical coder certification is CSS (Certified Coding Specialist) diploma. This official recognition recognizes higher knowledge and skill than a coder that has a Certified Coding Associate (CCA) diploma.

Again, the solitary needed thing to have an examination is a diploma in high school or the same. On the other hand, for this examination, it is clearly advised that applicants have no less than 3 working job experience years when it comes to medical coding in a lot of areas like inpatient coding, outpatient care and ambulatory in hospitals. In addition, it is advised that applicants have finished coursework in pharmacology, physiology and anatomy.

A lot of programs for medical coding certification on the internet will also need you to have a preliminary program to online education.

Another thing to remember is that a lot of medical coding certification programs consist of a practicum that can definitely contain an internship at a clinic, office of the doctor or a local hospital. Such internships may need applicants to go through inspection of his criminal background.

To get certified through AAPC, it requires getting a membership and paying the exam fee. This post covers the costs of taking the CPC exam.

The AAPC also recommends that the applicants get to earn first an associate degree. However, when you already have at least 2 years of medical coding experience, you can now be designated as an apprentice after passing the exam. Upon completion of 2 years, AAPC will be removing this designation.

If time is of the essance then see this post: The Quickest Way To Become A Medical Coder.

Can You Do Medical Coding And Billing From Home?

Medical coding and billing from home has now become a significantly high increasing feature in the field of insurance and medical. These self-regulating contractors alter a prescription or diagnosis for a process like a surgery into digits’ code, and then listed on a paper and presented to insurance companies for payment and billing purposes. See the job description for medical coding and billing for more information.

Due to the cost involved, several insurance companies and physicians are subcontracting their work to people who can do medical coding and billing from home as opposed to hiring on-site staff.

Ironically according to recent salary polls many stay at home medical coders actually make more money than those that work in an office setting.

As the industry of health care is rapidly growing and increasing demands on health care office staff from home, many doctors also have subcontracting billing jobs to work-at-home and independent medical coding and billing experts. If you like to do some medical billing and coding at home, there are several steps that you have to follow in order to get into the business.

First is the assessment of your personality when managing a medical coding and billing work at home to focus and discipline. Then get a medical coding and billing training certification. You could choose from a number of the many medical coding training schools in existance.

Practical experience is also an edge since health care billers can influence directly how much and when insurance companies pay doctors. You can easily get more clients when you got a practical experience. Writing a business strategy also helps you to outline your goals with medical business at home. Also keep track of your monetary needs to get a home-based medical coding and billing business.

Are There Schools That Do Medical Coding And Billing Training?

Since a lot of people are dreaming to become a professional medical coder, various students kept on searching for an ideal school. The main question is, are there schools that do medical coding and billing training and are they legitimate?

Local or online institutions mainly offer several programs pertaining to medical coding and billing training. If you are not familiar on where to find these institutions, the best thing that you can do is to browse your computer or local yello pages. Some of these local schools offer you the fastest path to a career in medical coding.

Entering into any medical coding schools and billing training programs is widely practiced all over the world. It simply means that you don’t need to worry if you are seeking institutions that offer similar courses or programs. In searching for an effective school, you have to examine their standards of learning and pertinent devices as well.

As a medical coder, you have to study all the concepts pertaining to your preferred field. Essentially, you can’t do this if you don’t know how to get an excellent institution suited for your career. If you are planning to expand your ideals about medical coding, then you have to distinguish schools offering quality training and education.

Take note that the key for your medical career relies on your educational background, trainings and experiences. If you desire to overcome several medical coder applicants, you have to show that you are perfectly knowledgeable on that field. To do this, selection of schools with complete learning measures are extremely needed. If you are still confused on where to enrol, then immediately ask suggestions from any medical experts, friends and relatives as well.

Thanks for reading Medical Coding Career Planner; I hope we can help you out with your budding career!