AAPC EXAM

Exam:

American Academy of Professional Coders Certification Exam

Industry:

Healthcare

Country:

Global

Website:

https://www.aapc.com/certifications

AAPC Certification Exams

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) offers several certification exams for medical coding and billing professionals:

Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
Certified Outpatient Coder (COC)
Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC)
Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC)
Specialty certification exams (e.g., CPC-P, CPC-I, CPMA, CPCO, CPPM)

Exam Eligibility and Requirements

To be eligible for AAPC certification exams, candidates must meet the following requirements:

Current AAPC membership
Pay the exam fee
Agree to abide by the AAPC Code of Ethics

Some exams may have additional requirements, such as:

Relevant work experience
Specific educational background
Prerequisites (e.g., CPC exam for specialty certifications)

Exam Format and Content

AAPC certification exams typically consist of:

Multiple-choice questions
Proctored exams administered at approved testing centers or online
Exam length varies by certification (e.g., CPC exam is 5 hours and 40 minutes)
Open-book exams, allowing the use of approved manuals and resources

Exam content covers topics such as:

Medical terminology
Anatomy and physiology
Coding guidelines and conventions (e.g., ICD-10-CM, CPT, HCPCS)
Compliance and regulatory issues
Reimbursement methodologies

Exam Preparation and Resources

AAPC offers various resources to help candidates prepare for certification exams:

Study guides and practice exams
Online courses and webinars
Local chapter meetings and study groups
Coding books and manuals (e.g., ICD-10-CM, CPT, HCPCS)

Maintaining Certification

To maintain AAPC certification, individuals must:

Obtain a minimum of 36 continuing education units (CEUs) every two years
Pay the annual AAPC membership fee
Adhere to the AAPC Code of Ethics

Who Should Take AAPC Certification Exams?

AAPC certification exams are designed for professionals in the medical coding and billing field who wish to demonstrate their expertise and enhance their career prospects. These certifications are suitable for:

Medical coders working in various healthcare settings, such as hospitals, physician offices, and outpatient facilities
Medical billers responsible for submitting claims and ensuring proper reimbursement
Healthcare professionals looking to expand their knowledge and specialize in specific areas of coding (e.g., inpatient, outpatient, risk adjustment)
Individuals seeking to enter the medical coding and billing profession

Comparing AAPC Certifications

AAPC offers a range of certifications to cater to different needs and specializations within the medical coding and billing field:

Certification	Focus Area
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)	Outpatient and professional fee coding
Certified Outpatient Coder (COC)	Outpatient hospital/facility coding
Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC)	Inpatient hospital/facility coding
Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC)	Risk adjustment coding for hierarchical condition categories (HCCs)
Specialty Certifications (e.g., CPC-P, CPC-I, CPMA, CPCO, CPPM)	Specific areas of expertise (e.g., payer perspective, instructor, auditing, compliance, practice management)

Benefits of AAPC Certifications

Obtaining an AAPC certification offers several advantages for medical coding and billing professionals:

Increased credibility and marketability in the job market
Potential for higher salaries and career advancement opportunities
Validation of knowledge and skills in medical coding and billing
Access to a network of certified professionals through AAPC membership
Continuous learning and development through required continuing education units (CEUs)

Related Certifications and Credentials

In addition to AAPC certifications, there are other related certifications and credentials in the healthcare industry:

AHIMA Certifications: The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) offers certifications such as the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) and Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).
AAPC Specialty Credentials: AAPC offers additional credentials focusing on specific areas, such as the Certified Documentation Expert Outpatient (CDEO) and Certified Professional Practice Manager (CPPM).

More Info:

https://www.aapc.com/certifications