Certified Outpatient Coder

Medical coding for outpatient facilities is an important skillset to help outpatient hospitals/facilities receive appropriate reimbursement and maintain compliance with coding guidelines and government/payer regulations. The material is presented in a step-by-step manner, and you will learn by completing readings and completing interactive lectures. The course also includes quizzes and exams, so you can test your skills at regular intervals throughout the material. Through these methods, you will learn essential introductory and advanced medical coding skills for outpatient hospitals/facilities.

You will also receive access to the AAPC Advanced ICD-10-CM Online Code Set Training which will take your ICD-10-CM coding skills to a higher level. You will get hands-on training that includes coding for conditions such as, clinical concepts for comprehensive coding of conditions, insight on chronic and acute conditions, and practical coding exercises. Upon completion of this course you will be prepared for the AAPC Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) exam.

This course offers enrollment with or without a voucher. The voucher is prepaid access to AAPC membership, COC practice exams, access to the Practicode tool, and the AAPC Certified Outpatient Coder (COC™) exam.

What you will learn

• Learn fundamental medical coding skills
• Acquire skills needed to review medical records and determine the appropriate CPT®, HCPCS Level II, and ICD-10-CM code sets
• Understand government/payer regulations
• Master coding for various conditions including chronic and acute varieties

How you will benefit

• Be prepared for the AAPC Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) exam
• Gain AAPC membership, COC practice exams and access to the Practicode Tool
• Help outpatient hospitals and facilities receive appropriate reimbursement
• Evaluate your skills throughout the course by completing quizzes and exams

1. Outpatient Hospital Facilities and Departments
   1. Outpatient Facilities
   2. Outpatient Hospital Departments
2. Business in the Facility
   1. Typical Outpatient Hospital Flow
   2. Typical ASC Flow
3. CMS Payment Systems (OPPS, DRG, IPPS, Revenue Codes) Overview
   1. Medicare Resources
   2. CMS Payment Systems
4. Facility Billing
   1. Types of Payers
   2. Outpatient Code Editor (OCE)
   3. Medicare Appeals
5. Compliance in the Outpatient Facility
   1. Compliance in the Facility
   2. OIG Work Plan
   3. Teaching Facilities
6. Documentation and Coding Standards
7. Anatomy and Medical Terminology
8. Introduction to ICD-10-CM Coding
9. ICD-10-CM Coding Guidelines with ICD-9-CM Application
10. Introduction to CPT®, HCPCS Level II, Surgery Guidelines, and Modifiers for Facilities
    1. Introduction to CPT
    2. Introduction to HCPCS Level II
    3. Introduction to the Global Surgical Package and Modifiers
11. Evaluation and Management Services for Facilities
12. Integumentary System
13. Musculoskeletal System
14. Respiratory, Hemic, and Lymphatic Systems
15. Cardiovascular System
16. Digestive System
17. Urinary System and Male Genital System
18. Female Reproductive System
19. Endocrine and Nervous Systems
20. Eye, Ocular Adnexa, and Auditory Systems
21. Radiology
22. Pathology and Laboratory
23. Medicine
24. CMS and Outpatient Prospective Payment System
25. CMS and Inpatient Prospective Payment System
26. Inpatient Coding Overview with an introduction to ICD-10-PCS
    1. Introduction to ICD-10-PCS Guidelines – Parts 1 & 2
27. Midterm and Final Exam

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.
• Microsoft Word (not included in enrollment).
• Windows Media Player or a similar program.
• 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 instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:

• AMA's CPT® Professional
• HCPCS Level II Professional
• ICD-10-CM Expert for Hospitals

The recommended reference material is optional, but it is recommended that you purchase the latest version should you choose to pursue for additional certifications:

• Medical dictionary, any publisher

Prerequisites:

Strong knowledge of anatomy and medical terminology.

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 a certification?

Yes, you will be prepared to sit for the Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). If you enrolled in the "voucher included" option, you will also receive a pre-paid voucher for the exam and AAPC membership after successful completion of the course and financial obligation.

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.