Professional Medical Coding

Class Begins Quarterly!  The next class starts May 10th, 2012

What is a Professional Medical Coder?

A Professional Medical Coder has proven by rigorous examination and experience that they know how to accurately code, and they audit physician's charts.  A Professional Medical Coder is eligible to take the AAPC (Academy of American Professional Coders) CPC®  (Certified Professional Coder) Exam.  A CPC can review and adjudicate coding of services, procedures and diagnoses on medical claims in the physician-office setting, thus improving the finances and operational efficiency of the practice.

The Professional Medical Coder abilities include:

  • Proficiency in adjudicating claims for accurate medical coding for diagnoses, procedures and services in physician-based settings
  • Proficiency across a wide range of services, which include evaluation and management, anesthesia, surgical services, radiology, pathology and medicine
  • Sound knowledge of medical coding rules and regulations including compliance and reimbursement. A trained medical coding professional can better handle issues such as medical necessity, claims denials, bundling issues and charge capture
  • Knowing how to integrate medical coding and reimbursement rule changes into a practice's reimbursement processes
  • Knowledge of anatomy, physiology and medical terminology necessary to correctly code provider diagnosis and services

About our Program:

  1. Our curriculum is approved  by AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders).  Med-Assist is an approved AAPC site.
  2. The student will be eligible to take AAPC CPC certification examination. Students are required to apply online at www.aapc.com.  
  3. The PMC Program is 13 weeks -120 hours that includes an overview of Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology, Introduction to Medical Coding and Professional Medical Coder.  Those who have had Anatomy and Physiology and Medical Terminology may have an easier time (highly recommended but not required).
  4. Effective February 1st of 2012, the cost  total is $1,518.32 including the workbook and textbook (resource books may be purchased at your discretion, but should be purchased BEFORE the class starts).  
  5. Students may purchase their RESOURCE books on line at AAPC (www.aapc.org) a la carte or in a bundle package.  AAPC members will have web access. Tuition does not include the CPC Exam which is an additional $260.00 (AAPC members)  or $300.00 (non members).  Students will need to apply six weeks prior to taking the exam.
  6. We offer our Professional Medical Coding Program every quarter annually.

The CPC® Exam

  • 150 multiple choice questions (proctored)
  • 5 hours and 40 minutes to finish the exam
  • 1 free retake
  • $300.00 ($260.00 AAPC Students)
  • Open code book (manuals)

The CPC® examination consists of questions regarding the correct application of CPT®, HCPCS Level II procedure and supply codes and ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes used for billing professional medical services to insurance companies. It is designed to evaluate a physician practice coder’s knowledge of the following:

  • Anesthesia
  • Radiology
  • Medicine
  • Nervous
  • Endocrine
  • Digestive
  • Urinary
  • Musculoskeletal
  • Evaluation and Management
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Mediastinum & Diaphragm
  • Practice Management
  • Male/Female Genital
  • Hemic & Lymphatic
  • Maternity & Delivery
  • Eye & Ocular Adnexa
  • ICD-9-CM
  • HCPCS Level II
  • Coding Guidelines
  • Medical Terminology
  • Pathology
  • Integumentary
  • Respiratory
  • Laboratory

More Facts about coding:

  1. The AAPC's certifications allow medical coders to: Earn 20% more than non-credentialed coders. Show credentials nationally recognized by employers, physician societies and government organizations
  2. Hawaii has a law that all medical coders working in the hospital must be certified.  Hawaii coders have one of the highest salary rates ranging from 45-65k depending on years of experience the number of credentials.
  3. Credentialed professionals saw a 1.5 percent increase in average salary to $45,404. Non-credentialed professionals also saw a 1.2 percent increase to an average salary of $37,746, maintaining a gap we have seen since it was first compared in 2000.
  4. The Pacific sub-region— made up of Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, and California—continues to have the highest average salary while the East South Central sub-region—made up of Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama—has the lowest average salary. California, Maryland, New Jersey, and Massachusetts have the highest salaries according to the United Census Bureau.