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AAPC Coding Certifications

AAPC Coding Certifications

American Academy Association of Professional Coders, AAPC, is an organization that was created to aid medical coders in training and receiving certifications for medical coding jobs. Around 102,000 healthcare professionals hold AAPC certifications. AAPC is the largest association of coders in the nation. The industry’s most recognized medical coding certifications are: CPC®, COC™, CIC™, CPC-P®, CRC™ and Specialty. Just as a tip, once you have work as a CPC for a few years, AAPC suggests earning qualifications in a particular fields of coding.

Certified Professional Coder (CPC®):

This is the most recognized medical coding certification in the healthcare industry. According to AAPC.com, CPC® is “the gold standard for medical coding in physician office settings. Certified CPC’s help maintain compliance and profitability within medical practices through accurate medical coding and documentation.” By 2022, it is estimated from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that jobs will increase 22% for certified professional coders!

Certified Outpatient Coding (COC™):

Career opportunities with this certification include ambulatory surgical centers and hospital outpatient billing and coding departments. Receiving the COC certification verifies HCPCS (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System) Level II coding skills. It also shows immense knowledge of specialized payment, ICD-9 and CPT®.

Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC™):

Being the only inpatient specific coding certificate, this certification is new to AAPC and is setting the standard for all inpatient coding positions. Receiving this certification validates expert level knowledge in extracting information for ICD-9-CM Volume 1-3 coding. These coders earn 40% more than non-credentialed coders, according to AAPC.com.

Certified Professional Coder-Payer (CPC-P®):

Those with a CPC-P® certification earn 40% more than non-credentialed coders. AAPC.com explains that the exam “certifies that the successful candidate has the knowledge and skills to adjudicate provider claims effectively. The exam will test the examinee’s basic knowledge of coding-related payer functions with emphasis on how those functions differ from provider coding.”

Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC™):

This requires difficult examination and understanding. This certification, validates the ability to read a medical chart and the ability to assign the correct ICD-9-CM codes for a range of clinical cases for risk adjustment models. These coders also earn 40% more than non-credentialed coders.

Specialty Credentials:

This certification is designed for expert coders. These specialty credentials are separate certifications with no requirement to have the CPC® credential. This confirms a coder’s knowledge in a specialty with unique coding, repayment and compliance challenges.