Medical Coding

• Chapter Overview: Introduction to the structure and organization of ICD-10-CM, including the 22 chapters that categorize diseases and health conditions.
• Coding Guidelines: Detailed review of ICD-10-CM official coding guidelines for accurate and compliant coding.
• Coding Practice: Hands-on coding exercises across all chapters, focusing on common diseases and conditions in each category.
• Special Considerations: Understanding external cause codes, Z-codes for factors influencing health status, and coding for pregnancy, sepsis, and injury.

• Introduction to CPT: Understanding the purpose and structure of the CPT coding system.
• Evaluation and Management (E/M) Services: Detailed guidelines on coding for various E/M services, including office visits, hospital services, and consultations.
• Surgery Section: Coding techniques for surgical procedures, including general surgery, orthopedics, cardiovascular, and more.
• Specialty Coding: Detailed coding practices for radiology, pathology, and laboratory services, and anesthesia.
• Modifiers: Understanding and applying CPT modifiers to accurately represent services provided.

• HCPCS Overview: Introduction to HCPCS Level II codes and their application.
• Durable Medical Equipment (DME): Coding for equipment and supplies.
• Medications and Injections: Coding for pharmaceuticals and administration methods.
• Modifiers: Application of HCPCS modifiers to clarify services and billing.

• The ICD-10-CM (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification) is organized into 22 chapters, each focusing on a specific range of conditions and diseases. Here are the names of those 22 chapters, categorized by their general content focus:

ICD-10-CM (International Classification of Diseases

• 1. Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (A00-B99)
• 2. Neoplasms (C00-D49)
• 3. Diseases of the Blood and Blood-Forming Organs and Certain Disorders Involving the Immune Mechanism (D50-D89)
• 4. Endocrine, Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases (E00-E89)
• 5. Mental, Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (F01-F99)
• 6. Diseases of the Nervous System (G00-G99)
• 7. Diseases of the Eye and Adnexa (H00-H59)
• 8. Diseases of the Ear and Mastoid Process (H60-H95)
• 9. Diseases of the Circulatory System (I00-I99)
• 10. Diseases of the Respiratory System (J00-J99)
• 11. Diseases of the Digestive System (K00-K95)
• 12. Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue (L00-L99)
• 13. Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue (M00-M99)
• 14. Diseases of the Genitourinary System (N00-N99)
• 15. Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Puerperium (O00-O9A)
• 16. Certain Conditions Originating in the Perinatal Period (P00-P96)
• 17. Congenital Malformations, Deformations, and Chromosomal Abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
• 18. Symptoms, Signs, and Abnormal Clinical and Laboratory Findings, Not Elsewhere Classified (R00-R99)
• 19. Injury, Poisoning, and Certain Other Consequences of External Causes (S00-T88)
• 20. External Causes of Morbidity (V01-Y99)
• 21. Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services (Z00-Z99)
• 22. Codes for Special Purposes (U00-U85) (This includes provisional assignments for new diseases of uncertain etiology or emergency use)

I. Introduction to CPT Coding

• Overview of CPT coding: Understanding the purpose and structure of the CPT code book.
• Categories of CPT codes: Distinction between Category I, II, and III codes.
• Symbols, conventions, and guidelines: Learning the significance of symbols (e.g., bullets, triangles) and following specific coding guidelines.

II. Evaluation and Management (E/M) Services

• E/M coding fundamentals: Identifying key components (history, examination, medical decision making) and contributing factors (counseling, coordination of care).
• Levels of E/M services: Differentiating between levels of care in various settings (office/clinic visits, hospital visits, consultations).
• Time-based coding: When and how to use time as the determining factor for coding E/M services.

III. Anesthesia

• Anesthesia coding basics: Understanding anesthesia time, physical status modifiers, and additional services.
• Special anesthesia services: Coding for specific situations (emergency conditions, age factors).

IV. Surgery Section

• Surgery guidelines: General rules for coding surgical procedures across various body systems.
• Specific body system coding: Detailed focus on coding for integumentary, musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, and other systems.
• Surgical packages: Understanding global surgical packages and separate procedures.

V. Radiology

• Radiology services coding: Principles of coding for diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, and radiation oncology.
• Modifiers specific to radiology: Appropriate use of modifiers in radiology coding.

VI. Pathology and Laboratory

• Coding for laboratory procedures: Understanding how to code for various laboratory tests and panels.
• Coding for pathology services: Principles of coding for surgical pathology, cytology, and autopsy services.

VII. Medicine Section

• Medicine services coding: Overview of coding for services such as immunizations, psychiatry, rehabilitation, and diagnostic procedures.
• Special services coding: Understanding the coding of services like dialysis, chemotherapy, and allergy testing.

VIII. Modifiers

• Comprehensive use of CPT modifiers: Detailed instruction on the appropriate use of modifiers to accurately describe the services rendered.

IX. Practice and Review

• Practice coding scenarios: Hands-on coding exercises using case studies from various medical specialties to reinforce learning.
• Review and exam preparation: Tips for preparing for the CPC exam, including time management and question analysis strategies.

• The HCPCS (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System) coding section of the AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam assesses candidates on their ability to accurately assign HCPCS Level II codes for procedures, services, supplies, products, and materials not included in the CPT codes. Here is a detailed syllabus focusing on the HCPCS coding component for the CPC exam preparation:

HCPCS Coding Syllabus

I. Introduction to HCPCS Level II Coding

• Overview of HCPCS Level II: Understanding the structure and purpose of HCPCS Level II codes and how they complement CPT codes.
• HCPCS Level II Code Format: Familiarization with the alphanumeric code structure (A-V series codes).

II. HCPCS Coding Guidelines

• Official Coding Guidelines: Review of the HCPCS Level II official coding guidelines for accurate and compliant code assignment.
• Use of Modifiers: Detailed instruction on the use of HCPCS Level II modifiers to provide additional information about services rendered and to ensure proper reimbursement.

Vast Career Opportunities

• Medical coders can work in hospitals, medical centers, clinics, pharmaceutical companies, medical coding companies, insurance companies, and healthcare IT companies.

Competitive Salary

• Certified coders earn an average of $58,055 annual salary according to AAPC salary survey.
• The average salary jumps to $64,712 for coding specialists with double certifications.
• Career advancement as auditors, documentation specialists, and compliance officers can lead to even higher earnings.

Passing rate remains high compared to other programs. With proper exam preparation and practicing our mock papers, you can easily clear the exams on the first attempt.

As per a 2022 US estimate, the average annual salary was $58,055. This can be significantly higher for those with advanced credentials.

As per a 2022 US estimate, the average annual salary was $58,055. This can be significantly higher for those with advanced credentials.