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Course Details
Course Name: Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Preparation Program
Course Code: HL0305WB23
Date of Most Recent Offering: January 17 – April 1, 2023; Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings
Course Overview
Learn ICD-10, HCPCS II, and CPT to prepare for the CPC® exam, then work your way to becoming a certified medical coder. Take this online course from the comfort of your own home, while learning how to correctly code provider diagnosis and services to help optimize reimbursements and avoid costly compliance penalties. Through lectures, reading assignments, group activities, videos, and quizzes, this training program will cover: anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, coding basics, evaluation management (E/M), surgery, genital system, nervous system, urinary system, pathology, medicine, and much more.
This course is being offered by the Office of Continuing Professional Education at Rutgers University, in partnership with Revu Healthcare LLC. Revu Healthcare LLC is a healthcare consulting firm offering comprehensive regulatory compliance solutions and revenue cycle/integrity support to healthcare providers, hospitals, health systems, physician groups, and other healthcare entities.
Course Objective
Participants will learn principles of medical coding related to the three main code books: AMA CPT® Professional, ICD 10-CM, and HCPCS Level II. The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) course will better prepare students and maximize their chances of passing the CPC® exam. Quizzes and homework will be given for each chapter reviewed.
Recommended Experience
Participants should have one to two years of medical billing/coding experience and/or have taken the following courses:
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Medical Terminology
Methods of Instruction and Evaluation
Classes are held online with a live instructor using the Zoom platform. Students from both in and outside of New Jersey are welcome to apply! Materials, quizzes, and homework will be made available on Canvas (a learning management system website).
The instructional methods used in this course include reading assignments, practice exercises and other assignments, audio/video lectures, and chapter review quizzes. To receive a certificate of completion, students must successfully complete the course within the allotted time-frame.
Successful course completion includes:
- An attempt of all required assignments; and
- A passing score of 70% or higher on all module quizzes.
Course Outline
Week 1: Introduction to Coding (ICD-10, HCPCS II and CPT) and Review of Anatomy & Physiology/Medical Terminology
- Identify the purpose of the CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II code books.
- Identify the information in the appendices of the CPT code book, HCPCS Level II code book, and ICD-10-CM code book.
- List the major features of HCPCS Level II codes.
Week 2: Evaluation Management (E/M) Services, Anesthesia, and Modifiers
- Explain the determination of the levels of E/M services.
- Review of modifier descriptions, documentation requirements, and anesthesia coding guidelines.
- Provide practical application of coding for E/M services.
Week 3: Surgery – Integumentary System, Musculoskeletal System, and Respiratory System
- Understand and apply the official ICD-10-CM coding guidelines and CPT code criteria for the Integumentary System, Musculoskeletal System, and the Respiratory System.
- Provide practical application of coding operative reports for the Integumentary System, Musculoskeletal System, and the Respiratory System.
Week 4: Surgery – Cardiovascular System and Digestive System
- Understand and apply the official ICD-10-CM coding guidelines and CPT code criteria for the Cardiovascular System and the Digestive System.
- Provide practical application of coding operative reports for the Cardiovascular System and the Digestive System.
Week 5: Surgery – Genital System, Nervous System, and Urinary System
- Understand and apply the official ICD-10-CM coding guidelines and CPT code criteria for the Genital System, Nervous System, and Urinary System.
- Provide practical application of coding operative reports for the Genital System, Nervous System, and Urinary System.
Week 6: Pathology and Laboratory
- Understand and apply the official ICD-10-CM coding guidelines and CPT code criteria for Pathology and Laboratory.
- Provide practical application of coding for Pathology and Laboratory.
Week 7: Medicine
- Understand and apply the official ICD-10-CM coding guidelines and CPT code criteria for the Medicine section of CPT.
- Provide practical application of coding for the Medicine section of CPT.
Week 8: Refresher
- Review course material in preparation for the CPC® exam.
Why Become a Certified Medical Coder?
If you’re wondering whether a career in medical coding is the right choice for you, check out the list below of top reasons to pursue a career as a medical records specialist!
- The job outlook is good. Employment of medical coders and billers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2021 to 2031. About 14,900 openings for medical records specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Furthermore, the widespread use of electronic health records by healthcare providers coupled with an aging population requiring more medical services, will fuel demand for medical billers and coders in the future. - Salary for entry-level coders with little experience is around $45,000 per year. For coders with 10 years of experience, the salary can be $55,000.
- You don’t have to complete years of college! Although you must earn your medical coding certification to enter this field, no other formal education beyond a high school diploma is required. The cost of preparing for and taking the certification exam (usually between $1,000-$3,000) is far less than the training/preparation costs for other fields.
- You can complete your certification exam prep training online, which offers a great deal of flexibility and makes it easier to stick with it.
- There are opportunities for advancement once you get into this field. After you have experience, you can move up to positions in medical auditing, compliance, management, and more. You can also specialize in a certain aspect of coding and work as an independent contractor or consultant who sets their own hours and pay.
- This field offers a good work/life balance. Even if you aren’t a freelancer, the work schedule of a coder in a typical medical setting is usually consistent and follows a standard 9-to-5 time frame. You may also be able to secure a remote work position.
- This type of work will help you improve your technology skills and develop valuable (and transferable!) soft skills like communication, organization, time management, critical thinking, and problem solving.
- You will have the opportunity to network with medical professionals of all kinds, which can help you learn about and explore other aspects of the medical field to advance your career.
Learn more by reading our article 5 Benefits of a Career in Medical Coding!
Meet Your Instructors
Leslie V. Boles, BA, CCS, CPC, CPMA, CHC, CPC-I, CRC
Leslie Boles is a Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) professional and healthcare consultant. Ms. Boles is the Co-Owner and President of Revu Healthcare, LLC and a Coding Instructor at Rutgers University. She has more than 15 years of experience in healthcare, coding, auditing, and compliance in the hospital inpatient/outpatient settings, and physician coding education. Leslie has developed and implemented multiple training programs on physician coding and documentation, Medicare and Medicaid policy, and compliance programs for certified coders. She is a subject matter expert in the areas of E/M, Radiology, OBGYN, General Surgery, Cardiology, and Anesthesia coding. She prides herself in presenting very complex coding and documentation regulations in a simplified manner to physicians and clinicians. She has the credentials of CCS, CPC, CPMA, CHC, CPC-I, and CRC from the American Academy of Professional Coders, American Health Information Management Association, and the Health Care Compliance Association.
Maya Turner, CPC
Maya Turner is a Certified Professional Coder with close to 30 years of experience with coding and reimbursement, healthcare compliance, and education. She currently works for a 1000+ multi-physician practice as the Lead Ambulatory Coding Analyst and Physician Coding Compliance Educator at Franciscan Alliance. Maya serves as a Subject Matter Expert in multiple specialties and payer mixes, including but not limited to evaluation and management, pulmonary, infectious disease, ortho, OB/GYN, SNF, and behavioral health. Her articles on various related subjects have been published by HCCA and AAPC. Other accomplishments include the design of educational campaigns, and marketing and presetting initiatives including Telehealth, 2021 EM changes, Modifier 25, and the split shared final rule. Maya has affiliations with Health Care Compliance Association, NIHIMA, and AAPC Local Chapters. Her three-dimensional thinking process helps conceptualize the subjects for students and audiences across the nation. Her primary objective is to create a learning environment which is fun, engaging, and practical for all types of students.
Student Reviews
“Leslie is an incredible instructor, who explains everything needed to pass the CPC exam on your first try. She gave me the confidence I needed when I struggled in certain areas. She is amazingly attentive and is with you not only in class, but she checks up on you throughout the week via text, email, or phone call. Leslie gives you the knowledge needed to excel in the future!”
“I can’t express enough how sincerely thankful I am for your CPC Preparation Program! Leslie is one of a kind with her enthusiasm, professionalism, expertise, and knowledge. She is a wealth of information, and on top of that she is an excellent teacher. During the class, Leslie provides a great mix of theory and practical learning activities in a very supporting learning environment. She is a true inspiration and will take you step by step into the medical coding world. I feel so honored to become an AAPC member after passing my CPC exam. Your CPC Preparation Program played the biggest role in my achievement. Thank you Leslie!”
“Leslie has a big personality and an absolute passion for what she does. She is relatable and clear, using real life examples to help solidify concepts. I feel I am prepared for the next step in my career and would definitely take another class with Leslie as the instructor!”
Want to hear more about how our medical coding class has impacted students’ careers? Check out this article – Opening Doors with CPC® Certification!
Continuing Education Credits
There are no continuing education credits offered for this course.
Required Textbooks
Technology Requirements
Email Requirement
Cancellations and SubstitutionsProgram Questions? We’re Here to Help!
If you have any questions about the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Preparation Program, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Program Coordinator: Jill Sullivan
848-932-7443
jill.sullivan@rutgers.edu
For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.
