How to start CPC certification training in 2022 – A step-by-step guide

Introduction

The best thing about working in the healthcare industry is that the industry is recession-proof and so is your job.

So if you are looking to start a career or switch your career from a different industry, a certification in Medical Coding can be a great help to find a lucrative job.

In this article, we will discuss the most sought-after certification in medical coding; the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification

Are you ready to take medical coding as your career but do not know how to start your CPC certification training?

Then don’t worry. We got your back.

Medical coding is a job where the coder assigns specified codes to different medical procedures to keep effective medical records and ensure that bills and payments are accurate.

Medical coders with certifications remain at the core of the demand. Gaining some experience with the certification make you able to work from home which adds to the appeal of this profession to many.

Let’s dive in and understand how to start CPC certification training and how to pass the CPC examination successfully.

What is CPC Certification?

CPC refers to the Certified Professional Coders who earn this designation by passing the examination conducted by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

The CPC exam is an exam for medical coding certification. This certification may be an ideal path for those who want to work in an outpatient setting like a clinic, physician’s office, etc. 

Being a CPC shows that you have proven your knowledge in medical coding and understand compliance. Thus you can perform your tasks as per the standards of your industry. 

Certified Professional Coders generally use the diagnostic alphanumeric codes to submit bills to the insurance companies for the services provided by a doctor to its patient.

The CPC certification is considered to be the gold standard for physician-based medical coding. It represents the world-class expertise that is highly recognized and well-compensated by healthcare organizations all over the world.

The Certified Professional Coder or CPC credential is the most recognized and valuable medical coding certification in the healthcare industry. Recruiters value individuals who show proficiency and commitment to excellence through their professional certification.

Besides, the students also can opt for a CPC-A training program that generally refers to the CPC- Apprentice that you can receive after successfully passing the CPC certification exam. However, you have to meet the other requirements like some education and experience.

With a CPC-A designation, you can also work as a certified coder hand to hand gaining some experience on your job and growing your knowledge base.

It also gives you the flexibility to drop the apprentice classification from your CPC credentials once you’ve completed the experience requirements for the certification. 

Why should you get a CPC certification?

Certified Professional Coders are always rewarded more than medical coders without certification as they have a certificate that values the most. So let’s have a look at the benefits of the CPC certification.

Getting a CPC certification can help you in the following ways.

Get the AAPC opportunities

By getting certification by AAPC, you can have the opportunity to attend the training sessions, seminars, and events conducted by the AAPC as a certified medical coder.

These events broaden your knowledge in your field and give you the exposure to gain knowledge by meeting other experienced professionals. adding an advantage, you can do all this for free or for a low cost.

Get better job opportunities

According to a survey, the job outlook for certified medical coders is good than the medical coding graduates. Employers tend to hire certified medical coders for their knowledge, experience, and certifications.

So with a CPC certification, you can ensure your job security and expose yourself to a plethora of opportunities.

Earn more with your certification

The average salary for medical coding specialists in the United States is around $47,987 per year, however, your, knowledge, field of expertise, years of experience, geographical location, and certification can affect your earnings. 

Employers value the CPC certification as it is considered a verifiable skill set, and they often reward their new hires with a higher salary and more earnings potential.

With the CPC certification listed on your resume, you can appeal more to a hiring manager too as you have nourished yourself with valuable skills, and knowledge.

Recognition

The best thing about getting a CPC certification is recognition. When you have a CPC certification, you are considered to be more credible.

The certification shows that your knowledge of medical coding is at an expert level and you’re committed to your career that increases your value in your sectors.

How to start CPC certification training?

Here are some of the points to be considered when you start your CPC certification training.

Choose your ideal career path

A career in medical coding provides a plethora of opportunities in the healthcare industry. When you are choosing to learn medical coding and pursue CPC certification, you are committing yourself to being a lifelong learner.

Anyone can learn medical coding but a diploma or graduation degree in life science might help to understand human anatomy and physiology better.

But not having a degree in life science is certainly not a barrier to learning medical coding and having your CPC certification if you are committed to it.

Choose an ideal training center for you

When you meet the eligibility criteria and are ready to go for the CPC certification, the next thing is to find an ideal training institute for you to start your training program.

You can pursue your training program either through live online classes or through classroom mode depending on your convenience.

Gulf Medical Coding Academy is one of the best medical coding training institutes which is dedicated to providing quality online Medical Coding training at an affordable price.

The experienced trainers at Gulf Medical Coding Academy are industry experts who would guide you and prepare you for a successful career in the medical coding industry.

Choosing a good training institute that provides support at each level of your CPC certification exam preparation plays a vital role in your as it will shape your future.

So do all the research about the training institutes before going for it.

Prepare for the exam

Preparation for the CPC certification exam needs focus and the ability to answer questions within the given time frame.

Your knowledge of ICD-10-CM, CPT, HCPCS, anatomy and physiology, and healthcare compliances will be tested in the exam.

CPC certification exam consists of 100 questions and you need to answer at least 70 out of them to pass the exam.

You will have 4 hours to answer the questions. Your knowledge of assigning appropriate codes will also be tested with a few case studies.

So understanding the fundamentals of each topic and applying them is critical in the preparation for the exam.

Appear the exam

After preparing well for the examination, you need to schedule your examination through the AAPC portal. You need to pay the required exam fee and membership fee to be able to register for the exam.

Gulf Medical Coding Academy will help you to register and schedule your exam without any hassle. date and go for the exam.

Add some experience 

Without any experience, you are only eligible to get a CPC-A designation, which is Certified Professional Coder-Apprentice. When you have hands-on experience, you will be able eligible for the CPC certification.

Conclusion

Medical Coding is one of the most lucrative careers in the medical industry. However, you need a CPC certification to showcase your credibility as a professional coder.

Reading this far might have answered all your queries regarding how to start your CPC certification training.

So what are you waiting for?

Start your CPC certification online training at Gulf Medical Coding Academy and let your career have endless possibilities.