What is a CPC-I?

CPC-I stands for Certified Professional Coding Instructor.

This esteemed credential is awarded by the AAPC to individuals who are considered experts in the medical coding field.

Individuals who hold a CPC-I are authorized and endorsed by the AAPC to teach medical coding to individuals and prepare them to sit for the CPC exam.

While it is not required to take a medical coding course taught by a CPC-I it is encouraged. Taking a medical coding course taught by a CPC-I not only provides individuals with a proper coding educaiton which is backed by a long standing and trust worthy organization, but also provides students with multiple other benefits.

 

CPC-I, AAPC, PMCC....

There are many abbreviations, acronyms, and eponyms in the medical coding field. These are a few that you will need to know in order to fully understand the CPC-I credential.

CPC-I: Certified Professional Coding Instructor
AAPC: American Academy of Professional Coders
PMCC: Professional Medical Coding Curriculum
CPC: Certified Professional Medical Coder

 

When an individual is seeking an education in medical coding and desires to sit for the CPC exam they are confronted with an over whelming number of education options.

There are numerous schools and organizations offering medical coding training, courses, and certifications. All courses and medical coding certificaitons are not created equal though.

The CPC-I credential was created to help individuals select the proper educational course when preparing to sit for the CPC exam.

Certified Professional Coding Instructors are taught directly by the AAPC, and given multiple resources to help them teach medical coding to others.

Any individual who holds the CPC-I credential is fully prepared to not only teach medical coding, but to specifically prepare students for the CPC exam.

How is that possible? The AAPC created a medical coding curriculum called the "Professional Medical Coding Curriculum" (PMCC). This curriculum was constructed with the CPC exam in mind and only a CPC-I is authorized to use the PMCC.

The PMCC includes slide shows, practice exams that reflect the CPC exam, practice work, simulations, and more.

Advantages of CPC-I Lead Coding Courses

The majority of medical coding courses offered to the public are not usually taught by a Certified Medical Coding Instructor. There are many advantages to taking a medical coding course that is lead by a CPC-I though.

1) CPC-I holders have the ability to offer AAPC membership at a discounted rate to their students ($70.00 vs $125.00); If a student plans on sitting for the CPC exam they must become a member of the AAPC.

2) CPC-I holders teach from the PMCC. Because the AAPC has created both the PMCC and the CPC exam, and the main purpose of the PMCC is to prepare student for the CPC exam, there isn't a better curriculum to follow. The PMCC even includes a mock exam with some of the questions taken directly from the real CPC exam.

3) CPC-I holders are not only instructors, but well seasoned coders as well. They are a wealth of knowledge and have lots of experience (a minimum of five years is required for the credential). They are an invaluable resource for students.

4) If for some reason a student does not pass the CPC exam with their two attempts it may be possible for the CPC-I to get the student one additional attempt (for free).

5) Because CPC-I holders are directly plugged into the AAPC, and are often very active in their local coding community, they are a great resource for current job opportunities and internships.

6) A CPC-I is authorized to provide the AAPC with one letter of recommendation for students who complete their 80 hour coding course. This letter is viewed by the AAPC as one year of coding experience.

7) A CPC-I is knowledgeable in what type of notations are and are not approved for coding manuals, how to submit AAPC paper work and schedule examinations, how integrate new coders into their local AAPC chapter, CEU accumulation tips, and more.

 

Earning the CPC-I Credential     

Teaching others a trade successfully must be done by an individual who has first succeeded in that trade themselves.

Earning the esteemed CPC-I credential and the AAPC's endorsement is something that is accomplished through hard work and dedication. The AAPC demands that only the best teach the upcoming generation of coders and so they set the bar high.

In order to become a Certified Professional Coding Instructor an individual must first possess the CPC and the CPC-H credentials. In addition to these two credentials individuals must also possess a minimum of five year of medical coding experience (2 yrs. as a CPC and 3 yrs. as a CPC-H). Individuals must also have a minimum of 6 months of teaching experience and be an AAPC member in good standing.

Once these requirements are met an individual will be granted the permission to apply for the CPC-I certification. If the individual's application is accepted they must then earn the credential.

Earning the CPC-I credential starts with a five week, online, interactive course. This course includes lectures, group discussions, and practice modules. Once the course is completed and passed, the individual may sit for the CPC-I exam.

The CPC-I exam consists of two parts:

1) 50 question multiple choice exam

2) Oral presentation

If the individual passes both the written and oral portions of the exam they will be awarded the CPC-I credential.

This process is difficult, but for a good reason. Students deserve to have confidence in their medical coding instructors. By choosing a medical coding course that is taught by a CPC-I,  students can be sure that the instructor is not only very knowledgeable, but also capable of transferring their wisdom.