Preparing for the Medical Coding CPC® 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 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 done through 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 any of these certification exams we recommend reviewing our exam preparation tools including our store. They are among the finest available including a vast library of medical terminology questions that will help you build a solid understanding of the medical coding and medical billing fields.
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.
Once you pass the exam and are certified you are considered a professional coder.
AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) offers similar medical coding certification including CSS®(hospital coding) and CSS-P® (physician based coding). The main difference
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.
Related News
