Clinical Coder Certification

Vera Dimitropoulos

Lecturer, Advanced Coding Course

Coder Accreditation

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

Education

The foundation to the coder certification process is coder educationThere 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 examThere 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 workFailure to pass the quiz indicates that some continuing education may be necessaryUpdated 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.

For more information

Visit HIMAA booth at conference

Visit web page: www.himaa.org.au

Call HIMAA on (02) 9887 5898