Advanced Hospital Coding and CCS Prep (Voucher Included)

Facility coding (hospital coding) is one of the best-paying sectors of the coding profession. If you're already performing some aspect of facility coding, the Advanced Hospital Coding (AHC) course will fill in the gaps, making you a more marketable employee. If you're currently working in a physician's office or other ambulatory care setting, this course will give you the edge you need to advance in the workplace.

Hospital coding is rarely an entry-level position, and most hospital coders are required to be certified. AHC covers advanced, hospital-specific coding and billing procedures and is designed to help you meet the challenge of today's changing standards. This course utilizes your existing knowledge of medical terminology and healthcare sciences. Upon completion, you will receive a voucher to take the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) exam.

What you will learn

• Identify the roles and responsibilities of a coder in both inpatient and outpatient facilities
• Abstract health information from clinical documentation using your knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy/physiology, and disease processes.
• Assign ICD-10-CM/PCS and CPT/ HCPCS Level II codes and modifiers in accordance with current coding guidelines.
• Understand reimbursement methodologies
• Clarify conflicting, ambiguous, or missing information from health records by querying the physician
• Participate in clinical documentation improvement initiatives to ensure accurate and complete health data

How you will benefit

• Acquire the skills to successfully complete the American Health Information Management Association's (AHIMA) mastery-level credentialing exam, the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
• Increase your earning potential in coding by learning a new skill set
• Take advantage of booming employment and advancement opportunities in medical coding
• Become an essential part of the healthcare industry

1. Hospital Structure, Billing, and Insurance
   1. Introduction
   2. Hospital Structure and Organization
   3. Revenue and Reimbursement
   4. Payment Methods
   5. Cost Controls
   6. Healthcare Payers
   7. UB-04 and CMS-1500 Claim Forms
2. Ethics and HIPAA Administrative Simplification
   1. Introduction
   2. Ethics
   3. HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules
   4. Electronic Data Interchange
   5. HIPAA Safeguards
   6. Fraud and Abuse
3. Inpatient Acute Care Diagnosis Coding
   1. Introduction
   2. Uniform Hospital Discharge Data Set (UHDDS)
   3. Medical Record Documentation
   4. Electronic Health Record (EHR)
   5. ICD-10-CM Layout and Navigation
   6. ICD-10-CM Guidelines
   7. Diagnostic Coding Steps
4. Regulatory Guidelines and Reporting Requirements for Inpatient Care
   1. Introduction
   2. ICD-10-CM Chapter-Specific Guidelines
   3. Principal and Additional Diagnoses
   4. Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs)
   5. Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems (IPPS)
   6. Complications and Comorbidities (MCC and CC)
   7. Present on Admission (POA) and Hospital-Acquired Conditions (HAC)
   8. Reporting Requirements and Physician Queries
5. ICD-10-PCS Inpatient Procedure Coding
   1. Introduction
   2. ICD-10-PCS Organization and Structure
   3. ICD-10-PCS Root Operations
   4. ICD-10-PCS Guidelines
   5. ICD-10-PCS Sections
6. Outpatient Coding: CPT and HCPCS Level II
   1. Introduction
   2. Outpatient Reimbursement Systems
   3. Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS)
   4. Ambulatory Payment Classifications (APCs)
   5. Outpatient Code Editor (OCE)
   6. National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI)
   7. CPT Code Categories
   8. Evaluation and Management (E/M) Codes
   9. Anesthesiology, Surgery, Radiology, Pathology/Laboratory, and Medicine Sections
   10. CPT Appendices
   11. Modifiers
   12. HCPCS Level II
7. Data Quality, Compliance, and Auditing
   1. Introduction
   2. Data Quality
   3. Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI)
   4. Coding Compliance
   5. Internal and External Coding Audits
8. Career Roadmap
   1. Introduction
   2. Succeeding in a Gig Economy
   3. Your Skills and Qualifications
   4. Resume and Cover Letter
   5. Using Email and Social Media
   6. Connecting with Others
   7. The Interview
   8. Salary Negotiation
9. CCS Exam Preparation
   1. Introduction
   2. Exam Eligibility
   3. The CCS Exam
   4. Coding Review Resources

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or newer.
• Mac: OS X Snow Leopard 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The following textbooks are included with the course and will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:

• Coding and Reimbursement for Hospital Inpatient Services
• Professional Review Guide for the CCS/CCS-P Examination (1yr access to e-book)

The following materials are required for the Advanced Hospital Coding & CCS Prep Course. Before purchasing, please check the AHIMA website for the Allowable Code Books List for the CCS certification examination. You will need the current year's version of:

• Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) (not included)
• Healthcare Professional Coding System (HCPCS) Level II (not included)
• ICD-10-CM (not included)
• ICD-10-PCS (not included)

Prerequisites:

This is not an entry-level course. Before taking this course, you should have previous coding experience or education and have completed either the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant with Medical Billing and Coding course or the Medical Billing and Coding course.

CCS candidates must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:

• By Credential: RHIA®, RHIT®, or CCS-P® OR
• By Education: The following courses MUST be completed; anatomy & physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, reimbursement methodology, intermediate/advanced ICD diagnostic/procedural and CPT coding; OR
• By Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of related coding experience directly applying codes; OR
• By Credential with Experience: CCA® plus one (1) year of coding experience directly applying codes; OR
• Other Coding credential from other certifying organization plus one (1) year coding experience directly applying codes.

If you do not qualify for the CCS exam, you may still be eligible for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA®) an entry-level certification exam offered by AHIMA or the American Association of Professional Coders Apprentice level certification, the Certified Professional Coder Apprentice (CPC-A) or Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC™). This course will prepare you for those certifications as well, and you'll find more information about them in the Certification Prep lesson at the end of the course.

Can I register for a course if I am an international student?

Yes, ed2go courses are completely online. However, keep in mind that not all certifying bodies or industry-specific certifications are recognized internationally. Please review your country's regulations prior to enrolling in courses that prepare for certification.

Does this course prepare for National Certification?

Yes, the Advanced Hospital Coding course prepares students to sit for the Certified Coding Specialist exam offered by AHIMA.

When can I start the course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

How long does it take to complete this course?

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive six (6) months to complete the course.

What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact your Student Advisor to help you work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?

You may be assigned with an instructor or team of industry experts for one-on-one course interaction. Your support will be available (via e-mail) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. All of our instructors are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach. You will be assigned to an Advisor for academic support.

What happens when I complete the course?

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

Am I guaranteed a job?

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

Can I get financial assistance?

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

How can I get more information about this course?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.