By earning your designation as a Certified Professional Coder (CPC), you will show potential employers, as well as your peers, that you have the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career as a medical coder. Not only do you demonstrate professional competency in the field, but you also prove that you have what it takes by passing the rigorous exam which is sponsored by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
Having your CPC certification makes a strong statement in today's health care environment that speaks even louder than words to an employer. It indicates that you have relevant work experience as well as a thorough understanding of coding and a commitment to further growth and development in your profession.
Prior to taking the examination, it is highly recommended that you complete a comprehensive medical coding program. Those without prior experience may sit for the exam, though the credential awarded will be designated as Certified Professional Coder-Apprentice (CPC-A). Once you submit two letters of recommendation confirming two years of on-the-job experience, or complete a minimum 80-hour coding course and submit one letter verifying at least a year of experience, your CPC-A will be replaced with the full CPC credential.
The CPC exam measures your proficiency and knowledge of the correct application of CPT, HCPCS Level II procedure and supply codes and ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes that are used for billing professional medical services to payers. In addition to coding guidelines, this comprehensive multiple choice-format test, which is 5.5 hours in length, evaluates a physician practice coder's knowledge of some 25 areas, from anesthesia, radiology and pathology to respiratory, cardiovascular, and maternity and delivery.
Test preparation can be done through online "distance learning" or more traditional courses that take place in a classroom setting. (Allied's online Medical Coding Program lets you get the educational foundation you need from the comfort of home.) Tools available include in-depth coursework designed for beginners as well as study guides and shorter review classes for those who have a coding background. To assist examinees in determining their readiness for the exam, AAPC offers online practice tests with the same types of questions, and at the same level of difficulty, as those that will appear on the actual exam.
Exams are administered nationwide in cooperation with AAPC local chapters or through a licensed instructor, and you must have a current AAPC membership to take the test. (Allied provides a complimentary, one-year membership upon successful completion of its Medical Coding Program.) An overall score of 70 percent is needed to pass, and the testing fee includes one free retake if needed. Results are usually received within seven to 10 business days following the testing date.
For further information, including exam dates, locations, and fees, contact the AAPC or visit their website at http://www.aapc.com/.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The number of doctors replacing their paper records with electronic health records has indeed grown since the government's healthcare IT stimulus package was signed into law. A survey performed by GfK Roper for IT vendor Practice Fusion interviewed 1,000 U.S. adults via the telephone from February 5 to February 7, 2010. Here are some findings:
The number of doctors using EHRs is steadily growing. - More than 48% of the people said their doctor or specialist stored medical records electronically in the examination room, as opposed to writing information on paper charts.
- Of those patients, more than 45% said their doctor made the switch in the last two years.
- More than 14% said the switch occurred in the last six months. More than 38% of the respondents wanted their doctors to go digital, while almost 33% did not. Nearly 29% were not sure.
Higher-income patients were more likely to see their doctors using an EHR system. -Nearly 53% of the respondents with incomes of more than $50,000 a year had doctors using digital records, compared to about 45% of people with incomes under $20,000 a year.
The government's stimulus package will reward doctors and hospitals for using electronic health record systems in "meaningful" ways starting in 2011. Health care professionals are starting to prepare now, which is resulting in growth in the usage of electronic health records in health care organizations nationwide.
How does EHR implementation affect your
medical coding career? The increasing use of electronic health records (EHR) will continue to broaden and alter the job responsibilities of medical coders. You will need to have knowledge of EHR software to analyze data, assign medical codes and maintain the security of health records.
(Source: Antone Gonsalves, Information Week)
Read Full Article>> Thanks to the Government's Healthcare IT Stimulus, Electronic Health Records are on the Rise!
Friday, February 5, 2010
As you begin to search for employment opportunities as a medical coder, networking is a key element to landing the job you are looking for. Talk to as many people as you can to get the word out and obtain leads, and start conducting your own research using a variety of available resources.
You can do your own independent networking by perusing the phone book to find offices and facilities you can contact to find out whether or not they are hiring. Also, check for jobs posted in local newspapers and magazines, and be sure to attend job fairs offered in your community.
A local chapter meeting of the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) is an excellent venue for networking with other coders in your area who may be aware of possible job openings. You can also increase your exposure by attending medical-related and hospital events.
The AAPC offers Project Xtern to newly certified coders to give them a head start in the workplace. The program matches beginning medical coders with facilities that are willing to give them experience and perhaps even their first coding job.
The following online resources can be valuable tools in your job search:
The
AAPC Job Database enables you to sort through hundreds of possible jobs to find the ones that suit you best. You can also post and maintain your resume for employers searching for qualified candidates, and sign up for job alerts. Just indicate where you want to work, choose your job category, and you will be notified when positions that meet your specifications are added to the network.
Online Forums are used by AAPC members to gain access to employment prospects through jobs listed by fellow members. They are also utilized for posting resumes, qualifications, job availability, and even consulting opportunities. Since the network consists of more than 80,000 coders, this is a tool that can make your job search easier. Members can also utilize the local chapter forum to connect with hundreds of coders in your region who may be able to give you advanced notice of openings before they are announced.
Computer Web sites such as monster.com and careerbuilder.com maintain an extensive list of available jobs and are constantly updated. Once you create an account, you can search through the postings to stay current with job openings.
Ready for the job interview? Here are a few helpful tips to succeed:
Plan Ahead – Be sure to do your homework prior to the interview. Research the company, the position and, if possible, the people you will be meeting with. Be prepared to give examples of past accomplishments listed on your resume, and rehearse your response to potential questions.
Dress Appropriately – Since first impressions are critical, be sure to dress in a professional manner, even if the workplace is casual. Neat and conservative is always your best bet.
Communicate Clearly – Focus on your strong points as you discuss your skills and experience, and make sure you use correct grammar. Answer questions honestly and concisely, without rambling on.
Be Professional – Remember… The way you dress and how you act reveal just as much to a potential boss as verbal communication.
Send a Thank You - A handwritten note or e-mail, short and to the point, is sufficient and also appreciated.
There are many resources available to you - you just need to do your research and prepare for the next step. Now that you've completed your medical coding training, it's time to land that ideal job!
(Source: AAPC)
Read Full Article>> Your Medical Coding Training is Done, Now Land that Job!
