AAPC Announces First-of-Its-Kind Interventional Radiology And Cardiovascular Credential

New standalone coding certification meets demand for vetted coding expertise.

August 14, 2008 - SALT LAKE CITY – Rapid changes to codes, procedures and technologies, along with varying governing rules and regulations for Medicare and Medicaid, have created an increasingly complex environment for individuals working in the interventional radiology and cardiovascular subspecialty. To help successfully navigate through these coding challenges and decrease reimbursement and compliance errors, the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC, www.aapc.com) announces a new credential, the Certified Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular Coder™ (CIRCC).

The CIRCC is a stand-alone core credential, meaning a CPC® (AAPC Certified Professional Coder) or CCS (AHIMA Certified Coding Specialist) is not required as a prerequisite.

The first and only certification of its kind, the CIRCC signifies that an individual has achieved a high level of coding education and that his/her proficiency and accuracy in interventional radiology and cardiovascular coding and charging has been validated.

“Current trends reveal increasing numbers of procedures are being performed in interventional radiology departments, cathlabs, hospitals and clinics, which have significantly elevated demand for vetted coding expertise in the interventional radiology and cardiovascular subspecialties,” said Stephanie Jones, vice president, product management, AAPC. “Until now, there has been no proficiency standard for this subspecialty. Now, with our new nationally recognized CIRCC certification, physicians and facilities can have confidence that individuals earning this certification have the proper training and proven expertise to help ensure coding accuracy, reduce denial rates, increase charge captures and remain compliant for this subspecialty.”

The CIRCC exam tests aptitude in coding and charging for:
1. Diagnostic angiography
2. Non-vascular interventions
3. Percutaneous vascular interventions
4. Diagnostic cardiac catheterization
5. Basic coronary arterial interventions
6. ICD-9
7. Anatomy
8. Terminology

AAPC's medical coding certifications are nationally recognized as the “gold standard” for ethical, accurate, experienced and professional medical coders.

Preparatory courses for the CIRCC exam will be offered during two fall conferences. Conference attendees will also be eligible to sit for the exam during the conference. The first private certification exam will be held on Sept. 13 in Nashville, Tenn. Beginning Oct. 1, the exam may be taken at all AAPC-approved exam sites. The CIRCC Study Guide is scheduled to be available in early 2009. For more information on AAPC’s CIRCC and to order preparatory materials or register for exams, visit http://www.aapc.com/certification/index.aspx.

Source- http://www.aapc.com/pressreleases/circc.aspx

American Academy of Professional Coders
2480 South 3850 West, Suite B, Salt Lake City, UT. 84120

Customer Service Contact:
Toll Free Phone: 800-626-CODE (2633)
Local Phone: 801-236-2200
Fax: 801-236-2258
Email: info@aapc.com

http://www.aapc.com

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) was founded in 1988 in an effort to elevate the standards of medical coding by providing certification, ongoing education, networking, and recognition. Currently, the AAPC has a membership base of 71,000 worldwide, of which more than 51,000 are certified.

This release was published on openPR.