MEDICAL CODING CERTIFICATION


Preparing for the Medical Coding Certification Exam is a very difficult task.  It takes a tremendous amount of time reviewing material and preparing to answer questions within the time constraints of the exam (five hours and forty-five minutes).  Your time must be allocated properly or you will never complete the exam.

Testing for the CPC®, CPC-P® and CPC-H® exams are provided by the AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders).  There are also a number of specialty certifications offered through the AAPC including CCC™ (Cardiology) and COSC™ for Orthopaedic Surgery.

If you are preparing to sit for these certification exams we recommend reviewing our exam preparation course and/or tools found on our Course Information or Online Book Store pages.  They are among the finest available to help you build a solid understanding of the medical coding and medical billing fields and prepare for the board examination!

WHY BECOME CERTIFIED?


The benefits of certification are many, including higher pay, greater flexibility (working at home) and expanded upward mobility in the medical community. Another perquisite is the prestige that a career in the medical field carries. People that work in the medical profession are held in very high esteem in our society.

The demand for medical coders and medical billers has grown rapidly over the last several years.  This growth is due in part to the monetary payoff that awaits medical businesses that employ highly proficient coders. The estimates on the amount of money lost due to incorrect coding are nothing short of astounding.

Another contributing factor to the rapid growth of the profession is the insulating effect it has on potential litigation.  This is a very important factor given the pervasiveness of litigation involved in the medical field.

The coding industry is no exception.  A qualified candidate in medical coding or medical billing can help insulate the company from any litigation by producing quality, accurate medical transcription and reporting.  Thus a highly skilled, certified, coder is a coveted employee to have and gaining certification is your doorway to making these benefits a reality.

WHICH EXAM IS RIGHT FOR ME?

American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)

The CPC® exam consists of 150 questions about the right application of CPT®, HCPCS Level II procedure and supply codes, and ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes. The testing is based on physician practice knowledge as opposed to the CPC-H® exam which is designed around knowledge of hospital based coding practices.

American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) offers similar medical coding certification including CCS (hospital coding) and CCS-P® (physician based coding).  A+ Coding Institute focuses training around the AAPC's version of the examination (CPC) verses AHIMA's certification examination.  Students wishing to sit for the AHIMA board exam should be aware that additional studies will be necessary in order to fully prepare for all questions present on the CCS and/or CCS-P.

READY TO GET STARTED?

If you have decided that you are ready to jump start your career and become certified as a medical coder, let A+ Coding Institute help you succeed the first time!  Whether you decide to join us in person for our classroom style course or become an online distance student you can be assured that you will be fully prepared for your big exam day!  Contact us today for more information or register online!  

Don't wait any longer...the time for YOU is NOW!