Certified Professional Coder: Health Information and Technology

What is Medical Billing & Coding?

Each time you receive health care, a record is maintained of the resulting observation, medical or surgical interventions, and treatment outcomes.  This record includes information concerning your symptoms and medical history. 

At its most basic, coding is the process of translating this written or dictated medical record into a series of numeric or alpha-numeric codes.  There are codes to describe a diagnosis, procedure, and the supplies used.
Coders may use several systems.  Our program does emphasize medical office billing.  Billing requires a knowledge of medical coding, insurance regulations,  and claims payment procedures.  Reimbursement for services is directly related to the coding.  *Curriculum and textbooks are subject to change.

What curriculum does your company use?

At CGS we use the curriculum provided by the American Academy of Professional Coders.  Our curriculum is intense and designed to assist students who desire to pass the AAPC's national coding exam for certified coders.  

Is the instructor certified?

Yes the coder is certified via the AAPC. 

Is there a national exam?

Yes.  The CPC exam lasts 5 hours and 40 minutes. 

What textbooks do you use?

The student textbooks are provided by the AAPC.  They textbook and workbook are entitled "Medical Coding training". We also use Blackboard and LMS for the online classwork.  Students receive 5 books.  Here is a sample of 2 coding manuals.   Remember, coding manuals are updated annually.




What is the fee for your program?
Our fee for the program is $4433.00.  This includes 20 weeks of classroom instruction and 30 weeks of online access to classwork, textbooks, coding manuals, membership to the AAPC, and the national exam.  The program also includes an intense boot camp prior to the national exam. 

 When does class begin and end? 

Classes are held every Friday.  There are variety of classes between the hours of 10am and 9pm.  You class time depends upon your enrollment date.  Orientation is held the first Friday in every month for new students. 

What activities are done in class? 
Initially, students learn medical terminology.  Therefore, there are several projects to assist the student.  Some projects include watching videos, completing worksheets, creating a life-sized skeleton and labeling it, creating body parts out of play dough.  Take a look at the heart below.  One of our students created this from play dough.
  Students also read physician notes, operative reports, and other material.  They learn to apply the appropriate ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS codes.  The example below is a sample question from the AAPC
While whittling a piece of wood, the patient sustained an avulsion injury to a portion of his left index finger and underwent formation of a direct pedicle graft with transfer from his left middle finger. Immobilization was accomplished with a plaster splint.  What CPT® code is reported? 
a. 15574    c.  15750  b. 15740    d.  1575
In the photo above we have a urinary system created from play dough.  We also have the colon created with the use of noodles.   We complete these type of projects often because it effectively allows students to learn several medical terms in a short period of time.  These projects are not about artistry but learning! 


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