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

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).

Salt Lake City (PRWEB) August 7, 2008 -- 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.

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

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.

"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:
- Diagnostic angiography
- Non-vascular interventions
- Percutaneous vascular interventions
- Diagnostic cardiac catheterization
- Basic coronary arterial interventions
- ICD-9
- Anatomy
- 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.

About the AAPC
The AAPC is the nation's largest medical coding training and certification association for medical coders. The AAPC provides credentials to medical coders in physician offices, hospitals and outpatient centers. The three certifications AAPC offers are Certified Professional Coder (CPC®), Certified Professional Coder - Hospital (CPC-H®) and Certified Professional Coder - Payer (CPC-P®). These represent the gold standard certifications for medical coding. AAPC provides a wide variety of benefits to its more than 70,000 worldwide members. AAPC now offers the Certified Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular Coder (CIRCC) credential.

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