American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) was founded in 1988 as a member trade association of medical coders. It provides certification, medical coding training, continuing medical education, networking (through it's Local Chapter Association) and recognition. Currently, the AAPC has a membership base of 67,000 worldwide, of which more than 50,000 are certified.

AAPC certifications focus on a variety of disciplines. These disciplines encompass the physician office, Certified Professional Coder® (CPC®), the hospital outpatient facility, Certified Professional Coder-Hospital® (CPC-H®), and payer perspective coding, Certified Professional Coder-Payer® (CPC-P®). All certifications provide a working knowledge to support cleaner claim submission resulting in faster payment and accurate reimbursement. Specialty credentials are currently offered in ambulatory surgery, anesthesia, cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, evaluation and management, family practice medicine, gastroenterology, general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopaedics, emergency medicine, pediatrics, plastics and reconstructive surgery, and urology. The AAPC offers continuing education through local chapters, workshops, a monthly news magazine (Coding Edge) and conferences.

AAPC's National Advisory Board is made up of certified members representing clinics, facilities, payers and consulting firms supports AAPC and offers direct input into the certification programs, educational curricula and membership services offered by the Academy. Support is also provided by the Physician Advisory Board and the Legal Advisory Committee.

Credentialing

The AAPC currently provides certification examinations for coders in physician practices, the outpatient/facility environment and offers a medical coding certification exam that recognizes medical coders in the payer community.

AAPC's CPC® certification credential for physician and outpatient coding, is currently recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor<ref> U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Handbook</ref>, and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) requires Independent Review Organizations to have an AHIMA or AAPC certified coder for claims review.

Credentials include CPC®, CPC-H®, CPC-P® and specialty credentials

Local Chapter Association (AAPCCA)

The AAPCCA, the governing board for AAPC Local Chapters, was established to create, maintain and sustain the infrastructure through approachable and accountable representation necessary to empower local chapters to function in support of the AAPC mission of "Upholding a Higher Standard."

References

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External links

American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) official site