Clinical Coder Certification Vera Dimitropoulos Lecturer, Advanced Coding Course

Coder Accreditation The first Accredited Clinical Coder Examination was held in September 1996 The process of ongoing coder accreditation failed to continue after the introduction of ICD-10-AM in 1998 Coder education has changed. Accreditation is no longer relevant.

Education The foundation to the coder certification process is coder education There are now 3 coder education programs Introductory Intermediate Advanced This process recognises the competence of experienced coders and supports achievement at the highest level

Certification is a process Certification is not based solely on an exam There are two components: The completion of six advanced coding assignments (30% of assessment) A 2 hour exam paper consisting of copies of de-identified medical records (70% of assessment) The pass mark is 80%

Clinical Coder Certification

Two types of candidates Course candidates: Have completed the Advanced Coding Course Undertake exam External candidates: Have the option of a preparation package consisting of 29 de-identified medical records with coding answers Complete the 6 coding assignments Undertake exam

Continual certification Coding certification will be perpetual To maintain currency, an online quiz updated for every edition change will be available to test for knowledge of: edition changes and other vital advice as published in Coding Matters (10- AM Commandments) A certificate of currency will be issued for a quiz result of 80% or more

Online coding quiz The online quiz will be a useful tool for a certified clinical coder : who has been out of the workforce for a period of time who is not coding a varied casemix at work Failure to pass the quiz indicates that some continuing education may be necessary Updated preparation packages to cater for continuing certification will be made available

Coding Assignments If a candidate’s grade average is less than 80% The candidate may choose to complete another assignment for any assignment with a mark below 80% in their assessment The bank of alternative assignments will be known as B assignments These provide candidates with an opportunity of increasing their mark in the assignment component of assessment which is worth 30%

Coding Panels Representatives from most states were nominated via HIMAA state branches De-identified coded records selected and sent to HIMAA Records sent out to each coding panel member to code blindly and review for appropriateness Records also coded blindly by HIMAA and CCSA representatives Records returned to HIMAA for review and final selection of records in consultation with CCSA

Criteria for record selection

Evaluation and pilot exam Candidates for the pilot examination: in August 2005 will consist of state representatives and CCSA members from the coding panel will be required to evaluate the exam, preparation package and the 6 advanced coding assignments.

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