Proficiency Exam Required for CPCs for ICD-10
I just got out of a great session on preparing for ICD-10. AAPC CEO/President Reed Pew told the audience this morning that AAPC will be offering intensive training over the next 4 years and beyond to get ready for ICD-10. Pew added another big announcement: coders holding a certified professional coder (CPC) credential will be required to take a proficiency exam to keep their certification as ICD-10 approaches.
AAPC National Advisory Board President Deborah Grider, CPC, CPC-I, CPC-H, CPC-P, COBGC, CEMC, CCS-P, just wrapped up a session on ICD-10 prep, and she gave details about the proficiency exam. Testing will begin Oct. 1, 2012, and will cost $60. The exam will be a 75-question open book exam administered online. "We want to make sure that we're the best in the industry," Grider said. "It's not the CPC exam. It''s only on ICD-10. It's only going to assess what you've learned."
Grider also reinforced that the time to begin preparing for ICD-10 is now. Coders and payers should be setting a budget, looking at the guidelines laid out by CMS, choosing the best training methods for the future and checking to make sure vendors can make the switch, among other things. Intense training and learning the code set shouldn't begin yet, Grider said, as coders might not retain the knowledge for 4 years. Pew likened training now to having those who attended the 2005 AAPC conference repeat everything they learned there.
After the ICD-10 session wrapped up, AAPC attendees flocked to an exhibitor reception, which I'm heading to now. The day was busy, and thanks to jet lag, I woke up at 4 a.m., but there's still food to eat and exhibitors to visit. I'll report back tomorrow!!