Certified Professional Coder 2025
Medical coding is an important skill in health care, especially for those who work in hospitals and physician offices. It helps the insurance agency or government provider understand what procedures were performed on a patient.
To earn the CPC certification, you must have on-the-job experience and pass the AAPC exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes five hours to complete.
Free CPC Practice Test Online
CPC A Certification
The CPC certification is a valuable credential that can increase your earning potential. It is also a requirement for most medical coding and billing jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that this field will grow nine percent by 2030, making it a good choice for a new career. CPCs can earn more than $45,240 per year. The AAPC offers a wide variety of resources to help you become a certified coder and maintain your credentials.
The exam is administered by the AAPC and consists of 150 questions during a proctored, five-hour session. Those who answer at least 105 questions correctly pass the test. The exam covers 24 fields of coding, including anesthesia, radiology, laboratory/pathology, surgery and human anatomy.
The AAPC also offers a CPC-A designation, which allows you to work as a certified coder while meeting other requirements, such as two years of professional experience or participating in an apprentice program. Both UMA’s medical coding diploma and associate degree programs prepare students to take the AAPC’s CPC exam. Both programs are available online.
Certified Professional Coder Salary
Medical coding is an excellent field for people looking to work at home. It also offers a high salary, depending on the type of credential you hold. If you are a beginner, it is best to start with cheaper, entry-level certifications. This will save you money and allow you to save up for more costly credentials later.
The AAPC reports that medical coders who have the Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC) credential make over 7.67% more than their non-credentialed colleagues. This is an indication of the level of professionalism that comes with obtaining the credential. In addition, medical billers and coders can expect to see their salaries rise over the next few years as the demand for this occupation grows.
Choosing the right training program is vital when it comes to becoming a professional medical coder. Many people choose to take online medical coding classes, which can be completed on a flexible schedule and at a fraction of the cost of traditional classes. These programs often include the cost of a textbook and can be completed in as little as 12 months.
CPC Jobs
A career in medical billing and coding is within reach for anyone willing to invest time in training and certification. Medical coders translate medical documents and records into standardized codes that insurance companies use to process claims from patients. They also analyze and review coding errors and work with healthcare professionals to resolve them.
Medical coding jobs are available in a variety of environments, including private physicians’ offices and hospitals. Some specialize in specific types of healthcare, such as cancer, obstetrics, or gynecology. Some even work from home as independent contractors.
Medical coding specialists need to have knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and ICD-10-CM and CPT codes. They also need to understand reimbursement guidelines and compliance standards. These responsibilities include submitting a claim to the insurance company for payment, reviewing claims data, and analyzing documentation issues. They may also serve as subject matter experts for other coding staff. This is a great opportunity for people who want to make a career change and work in a different industry. They can take a few months to complete the course and earn their diploma, which will prepare them for their new careers.
CPC Services
Medical coding is a lucrative career for those who enjoy working with numbers. It involves translating physician notes, laboratory and radiology results into code so that healthcare services can be billed or reimbursed. This can be done in a physician’s office, group practice or a hospital. Medical coding is also one of the fastest growing allied health occupations.
The AAPC provides training, certification, networking and job opportunities for medical billers and coders. Its membership includes medical coding professionals in the United States and Canada. Members receive free webinars (4 per year), AAPC product savings, and access to job-finding resources.
The CPC credential validates a medical biller and coder’s proficiency in the use of standard coding systems, including CPT, HCPCS Level II procedure codes, and ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. It is available for individuals with at least two years of coding experience. Those without this experience may qualify for the CPC-A designation, which stands for “CPC Apprentice.” The credentials require regular renewal through continuing education credits earned through association meetings, educational programs, formal presentations, and published academic work.
CPC Study Guide
The CPC study guide is an essential tool for medical coders who are preparing to take the AAPC Certified Professional Coder exam. It covers medical terminology and common anatomy, as well as provides tips for passing the exam. It also includes a 150-question practice test. However, remember that the questions on this practice test are not the same as those on the actual certification exam. Study the concepts until you understand them completely.
On the day of your exam, arrive 15-30 minutes early to ensure you have time to check in and complete a familiarization tutorial. Be sure to bring a photo ID, two No. 2 pencils, an eraser, a manual calculator, and any coding books or references you may need. You are not allowed to bring anything other than these items into the testing center.
This study guide was developed to help medical coders and other health information professionals prepare for the AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification exam. Its 20 chapters provide a comprehensive review of anatomy and terminology, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, and CPT coding for each body system, as well as E/M coding, anesthesia, radiology, and pathology/laboratory. The guide also includes a detailed description of the appropriate use of modifiers.
CPC A Jobs Remote
A medical billing and coding job can be a great way to work from home and get some flexibility in your schedule. However, it can also be a stressful career. The high level of stress can affect your health and make you feel lonely. If you are considering a remote cpc a jobs, look for an organization that offers training programs and support for their employees.
You can find a cpc a jobs remote by searching online, reaching out to local medical practices and healthcare facilities, or checking FlexJobs. These sites offer a variety of positions, from entry-level to senior-level positions.
Another good option is working for a managed service provider, such as Conifer Health Solutions or The Coding Network. Both companies offer a wide range of work-from-home medical coding and quality assurance positions. They also provide opportunities for advancement. They typically require a postsecondary certificate or degree program and a valid coding certification. The most popular credentials include the CPC and the CCS. The CPC-A credential is a good option for new coders, as it allows them to bypass the apprenticeship phase of the certification process.
CPC Resume
A medical coder is a healthcare professional who translates a patient’s medical records into the appropriate codes so that services and tests can be billed to insurance providers. This process is a critical part of the health care industry and requires specific coding skills. Medical coders must also be able to communicate with patients and physicians. According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top job skills for medical coders are analytical, detail-oriented and integrity-orientated. According to ZipRecruiter, the most common resume keywords for medical coders are clinic, outpatient, hospital, ICD-10, CPT and medical records.
The medical coding career is a lucrative option for those who enjoy reading and research. Lea came to medical coding from journalism and communications, and found it to be a good fit for her personality. The first step to becoming a medical coder is to obtain the necessary certifications. Then, you can start looking for a job. Creating a great resume is important to get hired. Medical coding is a competitive field, so make sure that your resume stands out from the competition.
Certified Professional Coder Exam Cost
Coders who take the Certified Professional Coder exam earn a credential that shows employers and colleagues that they have the skills needed to work in this in-demand profession. It is one of the most important credentials in the medical coding industry.
The CPC exam is available online or in person and is open book, meaning that you can use approved coding books during the test. It lasts four hours and includes 109 questions, including multiple choice coding, billing, and reimbursement questions. If you fail the exam, you can retake it up to two times. However, you must pay a $100 rescheduling fee to do so.
The first step in preparing for the CPC exam is to join AAPC. This costs $190 or 125 for students, and will allow you to register for the exam. You should also familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations for the exam. In addition, you should understand that the test has no negative marking. Therefore, it is important to practice with model or sample questions.
Certified Professional Coder Questions and Answers
How to become a Certified Professional Coder?
The CPC credential is the most prestigious and acknowledged medical coding certification in the healthcare sector, and is widely regarded as the gold standard for physician-based medical coding. You need to earn your high school diploma or GED in order to become a certified medical coder. Additionally, you need to finish your associate’s degree in medical coding before taking and passing the national certification test. This is to make sure you possess the abilities and information required to correctly read patient records. For some specialties, further certificates may be necessary.
What is a Certified Professional Coder?
A medical coder who has passed an AAPC-conducted certification exam is known as a Certified Professional Coder (CPC). Medical coder is a healthcare practitioner entrusted with translating a patient’s medical information into the necessary codes so that services and tests can be invoiced to the insurance company.
How much does a Certified Professional Coder make?
A Certified Professional Coder makes an average of $58,605 per year.
What does a Certified Professional Coder do?
- Review of digital health records started by a medical professional.
- There may be a need to perform coding on paper-based records.
- Confirming and coding the diagnosis, evaluation, and management, as well as any other codes necessary for the record’s correctness and completeness.
- Uses the International Classification of Diseases (ICD10), Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), Health Care Financing Administration Common Procedure Coding Systems (HCPCS – all levels), and any other coding classification systems that may be necessary to code and/or review the primary diagnosis, co-morbidities, complications, therapeutic and diagnostic procedures, supplies, materials, injections, and drugs.
- Utilizing predetermined standards and guidelines, evaluate the consistency and thoroughness of the documentation in medical records for coding purposes.
- Check each document in the file for an approved signature and patient identification to confirm that it contains enough information to support the diagnosis and therapy given and that the outcomes are sufficiently reported.
What resources can the Professional Coder turn to for information?
There are five reliable clinical sources that coders should be familiar with:
- Medical Dictionary
- Reference for the clinical disease process (e.g. Merck Manual)
- Reference for anatomy and physiology (e.g. Atlas of Human Anatomy by Frank Netter)
- ICD-10-specific (Comprehensive Anatomy and Physiology for ICD-10-Cm and –PCS Coding)
- ICD-10-CM/PCS and ICD-9-CM AHA Coding Handbook
- The Internet should, of course, be used by coders to retrieve essential data on coding and reimbursement.