Medical coding professionals help maintain the ever-changing structure of healthcare in a way that guarantees fair billing and reimbursement processes. Of all the certifications shown to be advantageous, a certified professional coder (CPC) credential is one of the most prestigious credentials in this industry. For anyone looking to launch a medical coding career – or for people who want to boost their current skills, CPC certification is important. Learn how to get CPC certified and other need-to-know details with our top 10 list below, featuring helpful tips to help you earn your way to this esteemed credential.
What is CPC Certification?
Achieving a CPC license attests to the candidate’s proficiency and aptitude in medical coding, which is indeed a pretty big deal, especially for those who want leverage opportunities offered by this field. Having a clear-cut idea of CPC certification and following the structured way to prepare for examination not only takes new coders towards professional triumph but is also their entry ticket the world over.
CPC Certification Scope
CPC certification encompasses the following medical coding fields: evaluation and management, anesthesia, surgery, radiology, pathology, and medicine. A CPC is skilled in choosing codes, applying modifiers, and following healthcare regulations.
Requirements To Take The Test
Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent. It is also common for aspiring coders to take a certified course of formal education in medical coding or related healthcare fields, but not compulsory still this always works as an ideal foundation to support the CPC exam in accomplishing careers with good certification.
CPC Preparation Resources
AAPC has a multitude of resources available to candidates who are preparing for the CPC exam, such as study guides, practice exams, and online courses. Moreover, by joining coding workshops and study groups not only do they help you better grasp complicated code components but also retain the knowledge.
Passing the Exam
To pass the CPC exam and earn certification, candidates need to score at least 70%. Passage of examination provides evidence of medical coding knowledge and proficiency in adherence to industry standards.
CPC Certification Renewal
CPC certification renewal CPC certification is good for 1 year, these are to be renewed using continuing education units (CEUs) to indicate recurring competency plus knowledge preservation. AAPC provides many educational options for CPCs to remain up-to-date on changing coding practices and rules.
Job Opportunities
CPC certification gives access to several job opportunities in healthcare settings such as hospitals, physician offices, ambulatory surgery centers, insurance companies, and consulting firms. The reason why being a coder may be the best job ever is that certified coders are in dangerously short supply and they play an important role in guaranteeing coding and billing accuracy.
Earnings Potential of a CPC Certification
A medical coder can earn significantly based on the salary after getting certified in CPC. Certified coders make about 20 percent more than their non-certified counterparts, indicating how much employers respect the CPC title.
Familiarize yourself with some principles and guidelines to avoid making mistakes when filling doctor’s notes
- Join a structured education course or self-study with AAPC’s resources
- Apply for the CPC exam on the AAPC Website
- Read coding books, go through a review class, and do your practice exams regularly
- Arrive a day early, dressed to kill, and hold your head high
- Celebrate your success and then start to accumulate CEUs needed for maintaining your certification after that pass.
Achieving a CPC license attests to the candidate’s proficiency and aptitude in medical coding, which is indeed a pretty big deal, especially for those who want leverage opportunities offered by this field. Having a clear-cut idea of CPC certification and following the structured way to prepare for examination not only takes new coders towards professional triumph but is also their entry ticket the world over.