Start Date: February 13, 2021

Registration Deadline: February 12, 2021

Location: Live online via Zoom, sessions are not recorded.

Times: 3:00pm to 5:00pm Central

Days: Saturdays

Read all of the information on this page before contacting our office.

What is a Certified Professional Coder (CPC)?A Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is a professional who reviews medical record documentation to abstract diagnoses and procedures documented by the healthcare provider, who then uses coding manuals (CPT, ICD-10-CM and HCPCS) to translate this information into code numbers.

What characteristics do professional coders possess? While the role of the Professional Coder does vary by organization, an individual that makes a good coder is one that is: Detail Oriented, Critical Thinker, Excellent Communication Skills, Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and loves to Read and conduct extensive Research.

Accreditation: Physician Practice Resources is an approved education provider through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Visit the AAPC’s website: https://www.aapc.com/training/medical-coding-training.aspx

Employment/Salary: According to the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), the yearly average salary is based on the credentials you hold: one credential is $51,477; two credentials is $57,656; and three or more credentials is $66,659. To see what the annual medical coding salary is for you, click here to calculate your average medical coding salary you’d make, based on your credential, demographic, and job responsibility.

Note: We cannot guarantee that you can work from home upon completion of the program.

Job Placement: We do not offer Job placement services, nor can we guarantee employment, but we will provide a professionally designed resume.

Program Cost: $2300 per student ($500 deposit is due at the time of registration), we do not participate in the federal financial aid program.

Computer Requirements: Personal Computer (not a tablet, or iPad), High-speed Internet connection and Webcam (optional)

Prerequisites: None, no prior training/knowledge is required.

Course Description: The student will learn principles of medical coding related to the three main code books: CPT®, ICD-10-CM Code Set and HCPCS Level II. This course is recommended for anyone who is preparing for a career in medical coding for a physician’s office and strongly recommended for anyone who is preparing for AAPC’s CPC certification examination.

Course Objectives:

• Identify the purpose of the CPT®, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II code books
• Understand and apply the official ICD-10-CM coding guidelines
• Apply coding conventions when assigning diagnoses and procedure codes
• Identify the information in appendices of the CPT® code book
• Explain the determination of the levels of E/M services
• Code a wide variety of patient services using CPT®, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II codes
• List the major features of HCPCS Level II codes
• Provide practical application of coding operative reports and evaluation and management services

Program Overview (Completed in 30 Weeks):

• Phase One (Medical Coding Curriculum)-20 Weeks
  • 2 hours per week of live (not recorded) sessions with a Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
    • The topics for each week are at the bottom of this page
  • 15 hours per week of study time (reading and homework)
• Phase Two ( CPC Exam Review)-5 Weeks
  • Computerized 50 Question Practice Exams (Self Paced)
  • Paper Based 150 Question Practice Exams (Self Paced)
• Phase Three (CPC Exam)
  • 5 Hours and 40 Minutes, scheduled by our office at a local chapter near you. Click here to locate a local chapter near you.
• Phase Four (AAPC Practicode)-5 Weeks
  • Practicode is a web-based training program allowing new medical coders to gain the confidence of coding 660 cases in a variety of specialties.
  • Completion of a professional coding course, or 1 year of ProFee coding experience recommended as a prerequisite.
  • To learn more about Praticode, click here
  • Completed at your own pace, but we recommend 5 Weeks.
• Phase Five (Professional Resume)
  • Professional resume created by our partner, Project Resume, click here to learn more.

Note: We do not assist with job placement, nor we we guarantee that you will obtain employment upon completion of our program.

Methods of Evaluation:

The instructional methods used include reading assignments, practice exercises and other assignments, audio/video lectures, chapter review exams, and a final exam. To receive a certificate of completion, students must successfully complete the course within the allotted time frame of 30 weeks. Successful course completion includes:

• A passing score of 70% or higher on all chapter exams, multiple attempts allowed
• An overall final course score of 70% or higher

No reduced hours in the course or tuition discount for previous education or training will be granted.

Included Textbooks:

• 2021 Medical Coding Training: CPC®; AAPC; AAPC publisher;
• 2021 Medical Coding Training: Practical Application CPC®; AAPC; AAPC publisher

Coding Manuals (not included):

• 2021 American Medical Association CPT® Professional Edition
  • ISBN: 978-1-64016-049-1
• 2021 American Medical Association ICD-10-CM code book
  • ISBN: 978-1-64016-081-1
• 2021 American Medical Association HCPCS Level II code book
  • ISBN: 978-1-64016-090-3

It is important that you purchase that AMA version of the coding manuals so that you follow along with your course instructor during class, which can be directly from the AMA or from another retailer.

Included Resources:

• AAPC Membership
• AAPC Practice CPC Exam
• AAPC CPC Exam
• AAPC Practicode
• Professional Resume

Payment plans available: (Balance due week 10)

• Weekly
• Bi-weekly
• Monthly

Phase One Schedule

Registration Process

After reviewing our program content above, if you decide that you would like to enroll in our program, please schedule an appointment with one of our instructors via the following link: calendly.com/ppr-corp

We look forward to working with you!