Wiki Transition from Outpatient to Inpatient coding-What is the best way?

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Sullivangin

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What is the best way to transition from outpatient coding to inpatient coding? I have been an outpatient coder for over 3 years and would like to get into inpatient coding. Do I need to get another certification or are there employers that will train you on the job if you have your CPC already?
 
You'll need to learn ICD-10-PCS coding. That would be a good place to start exploring.

I can't speak to what kind of training employers do on the job for inpatient coders. If you're currently working for a health system by chance, I'd also see if you can talk or network with the inpatient coders.

AAPC's inpatient credential is the CIC. AHIMA has the CCS, which my understanding is currently has more recognition with those who hire inpatient coders.
 
If you work for a hospital system already, the best way would be to express your interest internally and ask to train or shadow and make the transition.
If not, as suggested above you would need to study the CIC or CCS. And, as Susan stated AHIMA would be the better way to do this. https://www.ahima.org/certification-careers/certification-exams/ccs/
Inpatient is completely different from outpatient and more difficult. If you don't have experience with coding outpatient surgeries and at least coding physician based hospital services such as ED, rounding, observation, etc. It would help to have that experience at least first.
 
Having taken both the CIC and the CCS, for procedure coding the CIC is waaaaaay better for preparation. Unfortunately, many hospital employers have a CCS bias, which I feel is uninformed and perhaps out-of-date. The CIC is the hardest coding exam I have ever taken but when I was done with that class I felt like an expert lol. While you will need procedure coding for Inpatient, don't forget the ICD-10-CM piece too.
 
I am an Approved Instructor for the CIC credential and also have the CIC and CCS. The key difference is inpatient coding uses ICD-10-PCS to code procedures. There are some other differences in the assignment of diagnosis codes related to principal and secondary codes plus the requirements around queries. Many hospital systems offer a transition program for their outpatient coders to move over to inpatient coding. I would recommend evaluating the possibility of shadowing an inpatient coder to get a feel for the day to day and whether or not you like it before investing in the education.
 
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