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AAPC Medical Coding News & Press
December 18, 2007
Advance for Health Information Professionals: Making the Decision to Earn Your Ortho Credential
A certified coder is the first line of defense against non-compliance and down coding for any medical provider. Certified coders can help prevent legal difficulties and ensure that providers receive full reimbursement in a timely manner. If you're a certified coder working in an orthopedic facility or private practice, the second line of defense is to earn your Ortho specialty credential.
December 2007
Today's Surgicenter: Who's Who in the Ambulatory Surgical Industry
Welcome to our fifth annual Who's Who in the Ambulatory Surgery Industry. We asked our readers and members of the industry to nominate outstanding individuals who serve the outpatient healthcare community, and the facilities that shine. The dynamic caliber of these candidates is what makes this industry all that it has become.
December 2007
Today's Surgicenter: Tips for Modifier Use in an Ambulatory Surgery Center
Modifiers have had reporting relevance since the implementation of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) payment methodology for procedures performed in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), and hospital-based ASCs. On the basis of approval by the National Uniform Billing Committee, CMS instructed its Medicare fiscal intermediaries to accept those approved CPT (HCPCS Level I) and HCPCS (HCPCS Level II) modifiers applicable to outpatient reporting.
December 4, 2007
Advance for Health Information Professionals: Earning Your E/M Specialty Credential
During routine examinations of new and established Medicare patients, providers are required to document pertinent facts, findings and observations about their patients' health. Accurate documentation contributes to high-quality care and also ensures providers are fairly compensated for their services.
December 3, 2007
AAPC Focuses Continuing Education Efforts Toward Four Practice-Centric Topics
SALT LAKE CITY – Dec. 3, 2007 – Continuing in its professional education efforts, the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC,
www.aapc.com) announces today the titles of its 2008 workshop series, which include four timely and practice-critical topics. To make the workshops more accessible on a local level, they will be offered in more than 70 cities across the country in 2008.
November 14, 2007
AAPC Joins With CodeRyte, Inc. to Provide Computer-Assisted Coding for AAPC Member Training and Education
Salt Lake City, UT – The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), the nation's largest education and credentialing association for medical coders, and CodeRyte, Inc., the market leader and premier provider of computer-assisted coding technology, announce today their agreement to bring computer-assisted coding technology to AAPC's membership and help members stay at the forefront of technology developments in coding.
November 12, 2007
For the Record: Datebook – AAPC Event Listing
Datebook listings are offered to all nonprofit organizations and associations for their meetings. All for-profit organizations are paid listings. Call for rates and availability.
November 9, 2007
Physicians Practice: Consultation or Referral: Knowing the Difference
Some physicians and coders may use the terms “consult” and “referral” interchangeably. No big deal, right? Wrong. It's a very big deal potentially worth thousands of dollars. If a practice codes a consult when the physician saw the patient as a transfer of care, the practice could collect more money than it should. Conversely, if a service is submitted as a new patient visit rather than a consult, they could be leaving thousands of dollars on the table.
November 6, 2007
Advance for Health Information Professionals: Continued Learning Through Workshops
Certified coders earn an average of 17 percent more than their non-certified counterparts, according to the American Academy of Professional Coder's (AAPC) 2007 Salary Survey. The 5,155 coding professionals who participated in the survey offered insight that might surprise some coders, and gave concrete proof that certified coders are in high demand.
November 5, 2007
AAPC Adds Director of Publications to Editorial Team at Salt Lake National Office
–The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC,
www.aapc.com), the nation's largest education and credentialing association for medical coders, announces that it has named Brad Ericson, CPC, as the director of publications. The Salt Lake-based AAPC distributes its internal member magazine,
Coding Edge, to more than 60,000 worldwide, in addition to biweekly newsletters and other publications. Ericson will oversee all aspects of the AAPC's editorial department including editorial content, layout, printing and distribution.
October 29, 2007
For the Record, Coding Crunch: Who Will Feed the Cash Cow?
As health care facilities look to fill coding positions, recruiters and HIM directors are doing their best to lure prospects into the fold.
Medical coders are entrusted with health care facilities' reimbursement responsibilities; without them, providers wouldn't get paid. The volume of medical procedures, an increased demand for data collection and analysis, compliance issues, and variations in coding courses have spurred an increased demand for medical coding professionals.
October 29, 2007
Clarion University – Venango Campus Division of Continuing Education Partners With the AAPC to Offer e-Learning Coding Curriculum
Oil City, PA – Clarion University–Venango Campus, Division of Continuing Education, has partnered with the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC,
www.aapc.com) to offer an online learning program for students to earn certified credentials to prepare them for employment as medical coders in physician offices, hospital outpatient facilities, ambulatory surgical centers and payer organizations. This online component complements the university's on-campus coding education.
October 9, 2007
Advance for Health Information Professionals: What's a Coder to Do?
Certified coders earn an average of 17 percent more than their non-certified counterparts, according to the American Academy of Professional Coder's (AAPC) 2007 Salary Survey. The 5,155 coding professionals who participated in the survey offered insight that might surprise some coders, and gave concrete proof that certified coders are in high demand.
October 10, 2007
Accepting Nominations For Coder/Networker of the Year
The American Academy of Professional Coders each year selects from among its membership a single coder who exemplifies the higher standard all AAPC members should strive to uphold (Coder of the Year) and another who shares information and ideas with other coders to raise the standards for all of us (Networker of the Year).
October 3, 2007
AAPC Announces 14 Medical Coding Specialty Certifications
In response to the growing demand in the medical profession for coders with individualized training in particular medical specialties, the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC,
aapc.com) is expanding its certification offering to now include 14 specialty-specific credentials. These certifications complement AAPC's core Certified Professional Coder (CPC®), Certified Professional Coder-Hospital (CPC-H®) and Certified Professional Coder-Payer (CPC-P®) certifications.
October 1, 2007
Physician's Practice: Ask an Expert ‘Smoking Cessation”
Q: As an otolaryngologist where tobacco use is a main risk factor in head and neck surgery, when is appropriate to use G0175 for tobacco cessation counseling, and how should it be used in relation to E&M codes and additional CPT codes? What documentation is necessary?
October 1, 2007
Physician's Practice: Ask an Expert ‘Discovered During Screening”
Q: We are a gastroenterology group that schedules many screening colonoscopies. Of course, there is a possibility that a polyp or lesion may be removed at the time of the procedure, if found. We have always been told to bill by the diagnosis or reason for the procedure. An example would be if a patient was scheduled for a screening colonoscopy but a polyp was removed at the procedure, we would then bill the colonoscopy and link it to the diagnosis of a colonic polyp and the secondary diagnosis would be a screening colonoscopy.
October 1, 2007
The American Academy Of Professional Coders Announces Results Of 2007 Medical Coding Salary Survey
Certified coders earn an average of 17 percent more than their non-certified counterparts, according to the
2007 Medical Coding Salary Survey by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC,
www.aapc.com), the nation's largest education and credentialing organization for medical coders.
September 25, 2007
Advance for Health Information Professionals: The Value of a CPC - Online Student Center
Certified coders earn an average of 17 percent more than their non-certified counterparts, according to the American Academy of Professional Coder's (AAPC) 2007 Salary Survey. The 5,155 coding professionals who participated in the survey offered insight that might surprise some coders, and gave concrete proof that certified coders are in high demand.
September 11, 2007
Advance for Health Information Professionals: Realize Your Full Potential With Specialty Credentials - Online Student Center
It doesn't always mean your coding education is complete.
Whether coders decide to be an expert in a specialty they currently work in or if they wish to change specialties, specialty credentials are a way to prove superior coding knowledge and skills in definitive areas of medicine or surgery. Because many already-credentialed coders have an ongoing thirst for coding excellence, the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) has developed specialty credentials so coders can demonstrate their superior levels of expertise in selected specialty disciplines. Examples of these specialized disciplines are evaluation and management (CPC-E/M®), cardiology (CPC-CARDIO®) and orthopedics (CPC-ORTHO®).
September 10, 2007
Advance for Health Information Professionals: EHRs and Coding Productivity
If you're in a medical practice, you most likely know about EHRs. These products are designed to increase clinical accuracy and reduce your costs, making them a dream come true for busy medical practices and facilities. In addition, EHRs can be invaluable when prescribing medications because these high-tech systems can prevent the physician from prescribing drugs that interact poorly with one another or giving the patient the wrong dosage. But before you jump on the EHR train, consider a few key points essential to a quality EHR program and how it might affect your coding productivity.
September 10, 2007
Advance for Health Information Professionals: The Pros and Cons of Electronic Prescribing
The Medicare Modernization Act calls for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to encourage the use of electronic prescriptions. But before you start e-zapping all of your scripts to the nearest pharmacy, you should consider a few benefits and drawbacks of this fairly new technology.
September 8, 2007
Daily-News Record Online: Coding Professionals Plan Local Chapter
Svonne Stickley has joined AIG American General as an insurance and investment agent.
September 8, 2007
Daily-News Record Online: Coding Professionals Plan Local Chapter
Svonne Stickley has joined AIG American General as an insurance and investment agent.
September 7, 2007
Southern California Physician: Billing Pitfalls and Parachutes
Few physicians actually enjoy the nuances of billing, but fewer still dislike the payments that billing brings. Whether you enjoy it or not, you know deep down that it's always a good idea to keep your billing practices clean, straightforward and error-free. Here are a few common mistakes you can avoid and a few early steps you can take to make the billing process run more smoothly.
September 4, 2007
For the Record: Coding's Little Helper
These days, it seems we automate anything and everything, from paper towel dispensers and assembly lines to parking garages and lawn sprinkler systems. The technology can be a tremendous time saver and provide unheard-of convenience.
August 20, 2007
Southern California Physician: Letter to the Editor – Group Clarifies Its Role In Specialty Coding Credentials
I read with concern your March Medical World article, "Consultant Searches: The Hunt for Help." In it, Richard Blanchette, executive director of the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management, states that a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential "is totally inadequate to evaluate an office employee's knowledge of general surgery coding. In that situation, look to the Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialists."
August 13, 2007
Advance for Health Information Professionals: The Coding Certification Exam
Coders who are certified through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) have passed a 150-question exam that tests their knowledge of coding, medical terminology and anatomy.
August 9, 2007
The Grand Rapids Press: "Names and Notes in Business: Awards and Achievements"
Cris Aman, of Comprehensive Healthcare Solutions, has obtained the designation of Certified Professional Coder® from the American Academy of Professional Coders.
August 1, 2007
AAPC Hosts 16th Annual National Conferences In Anaheim And Orlando In 2008
Following in the footsteps of its sellout 2007 national conference in Seattle, the American Academy of Professional Coders, the nation's largest education and credentialing organization for medical coders, announces today its 2008 national conferences. To accommodate the demand from its members and medical professionals nationwide, two conferences will be held in 2008: Jan. 9-12 in Anaheim, Calif. and June 8-11 in Orlando, Fla.
July 26, 2007
The News-Reporter: Parton Earns Credentials
Melissa M. Parton, CPC (right), an employee of Wilkes Eye Center, has been awarded the Certified Professional Coder® credential after successfully passing the national certification examination. This certification sponsored by the American Academy of Professional Coders is a nationally renowned organization offering professional accreditation, education, recognition and networking opportunities to professional coders.
July 23, 2007
CMS Cautions Health Care Providers to Contact Clearinghouses
CMS issued an alert on July 19, announcing that some clearinghouses are stripping practitioners' NPIs from their Medicare claims, thus leaving the claims ineligible for Physical Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) participation.
July 16, 2007
Advance for Health Information Professionals: Project Xtern Offers Golden Ticket
To help both the student and hiring facility, AAPC created Project Xtern, a program designed to match beginning coders with facilities willing to give them field experience.
July 16, 2007
Advance for Health Information Professionals: What A Local Chapter Can Do For Credentialed Coders
Coders who are certified through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) don't have to travel far to meet other coders. The AAPC has more than 400 local chapters throughout the country that help members to network on a local level.
July 9, 2007
AAPC Announces First Ever Chapter Association Board of Directors
The Board of Directors for the first ever American Academy of Professional Coders Chapter Association (AAPCCA) has been named. Independent of the AAPC national office, the AAPCCA Board of Directors will work in tandem with AAPC local chapter leaders to support their strategic initiatives and programs. The AAPCCA and the local chapters form the nonprofit arm of the AAPC.
July 2, 2007
Advance for Health Information Professionals: Coder Values Education and Drive
An intense desire to learn and proactive approach were the keys to success for this seasoned coder.
July 2, 2007
Advance for Health Information Professionals: Continuing Education Units: A Necessity for Maintaining Your Credential
Coding professionals who attain certification through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) must submit continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain their credentials. This shows the AAPC that the coder strives to continue learning more about the health care coding industry and to stay current on coding trends. If you hold a single certification, for example, such as a
Certified Professional Coder® (CPC®),
Certified Professional Coder-Hospital® (CPC-H®),
Certified Professional Coder-Payer® (CPC-P®), you must submit 36 CEUs every 2 years.
June 22, 2007
Sun Journal: Medical Coders Have Their Own Day
Terry Umbro, medical coder with River Valley Internal Medicine and president of the Lewiston chapter of the national medical coders group, the American Academy of Professional Coders, thinks coders deserve more recognition.
June 18, 2007
Advance for Health Information Professionals: The 411 On Medical Certification, Credentials and Exams
If you've decided to obtain coding certification, you have made a terrific step toward finding a satisfying and well-compensated career. But before you crack open the textbooks and hop on the certification train, you should understand the differences between the various certifications.
June 15, 2007
Call for Abstracts – National Educational Event Presenters
The AAPC is issuing an open call for Workshop and Audio Conference Abstracts from individuals and companies interested in providing and presenting educational events within the health care community.
June 11, 2007
The American Academy of Professional Coders and Carol J. Buck Collaborate to Develop New Professional Medical Coding Curriculum
Continuing to deliver on its mission to provide the most comprehensive and current education, certification and curriculum available, the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC,
www.aapc.com), the nation's largest education and credentialing association for medical coders, introduces a new Professional Medical Coding Curriculum (PMCC) curriculum, co-developed with coding expert and author Carol J. Buck, MS, CPC, CPC-H, CCS-P. This new PMCC curriculum incorporates Buck's popular, proven Step-by-Step medical coding curriculum now specifically designed to teach CPT®, HCPCS and ICD-9-CM coding for physician services.
June 4, 2007
Advance for Health Information Professionals: Why Should A Coder Get Certified?
Remember the days when a physician could point to his or her receptionist and say, "From now on, you're my coder"? Those days are well behind us. In today's medical environment, it takes an intricate knowledge of government and private payer regulations, frequent code and coverage changes and myriad other technical facts to be a medical coder. Medical practices can't risk hiring an untrained medical professional, so they look for coders who have met the challenge of acquiring medical coding credentials.
May 29, 2007
The American Academy of Professional Coders Announces Regional Educational Conferences
Continuing in its effort to offer value and services to its 60,000 members and the physicians and facilities they serve, the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC, www.aapc.com), the nation's largest education and credentialing association for medical coders, announced today five regional educational conferences.
May 23, 2007
Be Part of the AAPC 2007 Salary Survey
It's that time of year again – AAPC is conducting its annual Salary Survey and the results will be published in the October edition of the Coding Edge. Please help us compile as much data as possible by clicking the link below to contribute your responses to our survey. Rest assured that the survey is anonymous and that we do not ask for any identifying information with your accurate confidential responses. Thank you for your participation.
07/17/07 - The Salary Survey has now been closed. Thank you for your help!
May 17, 2007
The American Academy of Professional Coders Announces Line of Private-Label Coding Books, Available at Discounted Prices
Continuing its efforts to enhance benefits for its members working in healthcare organizations nationwide, the American Academy of Professional Coders, the nation's largest education and credentialing association for medical coders, announced today the release of its first-ever line of AAPC-branded ICD-9-CM, HCPCS and CPT-based coding books. AAPC's line of books includes the same information that medical professionals have been using for years; the only difference is the lower price. The books sell for an average of 30 percent less than the 2008 list price for comparable books.
May 8, 2007
Sharp HealthCare Is The Latest Hospital Network Named As An American Academy Of Professional Coders Approved Official Extern Site, Supporting "Project Xtern"
The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC,
www.aapc.com), the nation's largest education and credentialing association for medical coders, announces today that Sharp HealthCare has been named as the latest hospital network to earn approved official extern site (AOES) status. AAPC's extern program matches students who have completed, or are in the process of completing medical coding curriculum with approved healthcare facilities to provide an on-the-job training opportunity.
May 2, 2007
The American Academy of Professional Coders Expands Its Management Team Adding Four Coding Specialists
The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC,
www.aapc.com), the nation's largest education and credentialing association for medical coders, announced today that four nationally recognized coding specialists have joined its management team to develop and direct member service, outreach, and educational programs.
April 20, 2007
American Academy of Professional Coders Hires Lobbyist
American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), the nation's leading credentialing organization for professional medical coders, announced today that it has hired Bill Finerfrock, lobbyist and vice president of Health Policy at Capitol Associates, Inc. (CAI), to assist with forwarding the AAPC's agenda in Washington, D.C.
April 20, 2007
AAPC National Conference Hosts 2,200 Attendees in Seattle
American Academy of Professional Coders hosted its 15th national conference in Seattle on April 13-18 bringing more than 60 industry expert presenters, 60 educational sessions and many opportunities for networking for medical coders worldwide. The 2,100 plus attendees came from as far as Germany and Johannesburg, South Africa and as close as the conference host city of Seattle.
April 14, 2007
The AAPC Launches Nonprofit Chapter Association
The nation's leading credentialing organization for professional medical coders announced today that it has formed the American Academy of Professional Coders Chapter Association, a Utah nonprofit corporation.
February 1st, 2007
Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Program Now Offered at Drexel University by the CRN Institute
CRN (Coding and Reimbursing Network) Institute, a partner of the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), is pleased to announce the addition of an online 18-credit Medical Billing and Coding Certificate Program at Drexel University in the College of Nursing and Health Professions.
January 5, 2007
The Journal of Medical Practice Management
Reed Pew, CEO and President of the AAPC discusses the mission and future of the profession of medical coding, advantages for physician offices to employ certified coders, salary ranges of coders and methods of recruiting certified coders for a medical practice. Reed is interviewed by Nancy Collins, Publisher of The Journal of Medical Practice Management (
www.mpmnetwork.com). Listen to the podcast at
http://www.soundpractice.net/article.cfm?id=300