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CPC Certification Cost and Exam information

To become a professional Medical coder there are few basic certification exams to clear. CPC (Certified Professional Coder) is the first and basic exam for Medical coders. Any graduate who wants to pursue a career in Medical Coding can give CPC exam. This Certification exam helps in both Physician side and Hospital side practices. There are two major Organizations who are offering Coding certification AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) and AHIMA (American Health Information and Management Association).

Facilities Provided by AAPC and AHIMA

AAPC offers certifications, local chapters throughout USA and workshops and study guides. In addition, there are monthly publications about the new updates and information in the field of medical coding. After going through publications we have to go through a set of questions, which will help us earn CEU (Continue Education Units). CEUs are to be submitted regularly at a certain period before the renewal of CPC certificate.

One has to have 2 years of experience to receive a CPC certificate. Those who have less than 2 years experience receive a CPC-A certificate. One can remove A from CPC-A certificate after getting a healthy experience of 2 years. Coding certification exams questions are based upon the knowledge about ICD-10-CM, CPT, HCPCS, Human Anatomy and Physician coding guidelines. CPC holders can work in variety of setting including Doctor’s office.

Practicode and Project Xtern both provide medical coding experience that AAPC will apply to your apprenticeship requirement, reducing your apprenticeship period by one year.

Certification Exam Cost or Fee

Below is the exact amount for CPC exam.

$399 ($325 AAPC Students) – one free retake

An overall score of 70% or higher is required to pass an exam.

That means you must answer at least 105 questions correctly.

The Exam Pattern followed for CPC exam
•        150 Multiple choice questions (Proctored)
•        5 hours 40 minutes to finish the exam
•        Open codebooks (Manuals)
•        One free retake

There is a cutoff mark, which everyone has to pass or clear in the certification exam.
Passing Score: 105/150

Below is the website link for more information.
Website: www.aapc.com

Certification Exams conducted by AHIMA

AHIMA (American Health Information and Management Association) offers Certifications, professional development courses, exam preparation material and audio seminars.

CCS-P- Certified Coding Specialist – Physician

CCS-Ps are coding practitioners who:

Specialize in physician-based settings such as physician offices, group practices, multi-specialty clinics, or specialty centers
Review patient records and assign numeric codes for each diagnosis and procedure
Possess in-depth knowledge of the CPT coding system and familiarity with the ICD-10-CM and HCPCS Level II coding systems
Are experts in health information documentation, data integrity, and quality
Play a critical role in a health provider’s business operations, because patients’ coded data is submitted to insurance companies or the government for expense reimbursement.

Eligibility

Candidates must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:

By Credential: RHIA®, RHIT®, or CCS® OR
By Education: The following courses MUST be completed; anatomy & physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, reimbursement methodology, intermediate/advanced ICD diagnostic coding, and procedural coding and medical services (CPT/HCPCS); OR
By Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of related coding experience directly applying codes; OR
By Credential with Experience: CCA® plus one (1) year of coding experience directly applying codes; OR
Other Coding credential from other certifying organization plus one (1) year coding experience directly applying codes.

Exam Fees

Premier Member Price: $284.05
Member Price: $299
Non-member price: $399

Earlier this year AHIMA began taking steps to better protect your data and improve the security and privacy of customer information. As part of this effort, effective November 1st we will no longer accept paper exam applications. In addition, after December 1 we will no longer accept paper checks.

Ahima will be transitioning to an ACH system at the beginning of 2020, which will allow you to pay via electronic fund transfer. Until we make this transition, we will only accept credit cards.

You can complete an online application at https://my.ahima.org/certification/getcertified

If you have questions please contact info@ahima.org

Exam Question Paper Pattern

Multiple Choice: Correct answer = 1 point, Incorrect answer = 0 points
Multiple Select: Correct answers = 1 point (you have to select all right answers to get the entire question correct), Incorrect answers = 0 points
Quantity Fill in the Blank (QFIB): Correct codes = 1 point (each code that you enter will be worth 1 point), Incorrect codes = 0 points
The passing score is little high in AHIMA exams, so do have a healthy experience before appearing for such exams.
Passing Score: 300/400

Below is the website info, do checkout for further information.
Website: www.ahima.org