Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) Practice Exam

The Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) certification from AAPC is designed for professionals who specialize in coding for outpatient healthcare services. This certification focuses on outpatient coding, including the use of ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II coding systems for outpatient procedures and services. The COC certification certifies your skills to correctly assign codes for diagnoses, procedures, and treatments in outpatient settings. The certification is highly recognized in the healthcare industry.
Why is Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) important?

• Validates expertise in outpatient coding for accurate billing and reimbursement.
• Enhances knowledge of ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS coding systems.
• Improves job opportunities in outpatient healthcare facilities and medical coding.
• Validates your understanding of industry standards, regulations, and payer requirements.
• Globally recognized certificate
  
• Boosts credibility of your skills and knowledge.
• Increases higher earning potential and career advancement within the healthcare industry.

Who should take the Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) Exam?

• Outpatient Coder
• Medical Coder
• Coding Specialist
• Healthcare Coder
• Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
• Insurance Coder
• Coding Compliance Officer
• Claims Processor
• Patient Account Representative
• Revenue Cycle Specialist

Skills Evaluated

Candidates taking the certification exam on the Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) is evaluated for the following skills:

• Coding for outpatient procedures, services, and diagnoses.
• ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II codes used in outpatient settings.
• Apply coding conventions and guidelines accurately.
• Insurance, payer policies, and billing requirements for outpatient services.
• Compliance standards, like HIPAA, and industry regulations for outpatient care.
• Reviewing medical records to assign accurate codes for outpatient visits and treatments.
• Reimbursement processes, billing cycles, and coding audits.

Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) Certification Course Outline
The Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) Certification covers the following topics -

Module 1. Medical Terminology

• Medical terminology for all systems in the human body

Module 2. Anatomy

• Anatomy for all systems in the human body

Module 3. Coding Guidelines

• ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

• CPT® coding guidelines and parenthetical notes

• Modifier use

Module 4. Payment Methodologies

• Services which are covered by Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D

• Medicare as a secondary payer

• Requirements for completion of UB-04 claim form

• Requirements needed for completion of CMS-1500 claim form

• OPPS Payment Methodology

• APCs
• Condition codes

• Revenue codes

• Payment Indicators
• Status Indicators

• Computation of proper payments (with excerpts from Addendum B and Addendum AA are provided on the exam)

• IPPS Payment Methodology

• Elements required to determine MS-DRGs

• Code sets needed for inpatient claims

• Reimbursement for teaching hospital setting

• Charge description masters (CDM)

Module 5. Compliance

• NCDs/LCDs

• HIPAA

• ABNs

Module 6. ICD-10-CM

• ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines applicable for Coding and Reporting

• Diagnoses for all of the chapters which are included in ICD-10-CM

• Diagnosis questions which will also appear in other sections of the exam from the CPT® categories

Module 7. CPT®

• Evaluation and Management

• Emergency Department

• Outpatient Clinics

• Observation

• Critical Care

• Surgery

• Procedures performed in outpatient hospital facilities

• Procedures performed in ASC facilities

• Radiology

• Diagnostic Radiology

• Diagnostic Ultrasound

• Radiologic Guidance

• Mammography

• Bone and Joint Studies

• Radiation Oncology

• Nuclear Medicine

• Laboratory/Pathology

• Organ and Disease Panels

• Drug Testing

• Therapeutic Drug Assays

• Evocation/Supression Testing

• Consultations

• Urinalysis

• Molecular Pathology

• MAAA

• Chemistry

• Hematology and Coagulation

• Immunology

• Transfusions

• Microbiology

• Anatomic Pathology

• Cytopathology

• Cytogenetic Studies

• Surgical Pathology

• In vivo and Reproductive

• Medicine

• Immunizations

• Psychiatry

• Dialysis

• Gastroenterology

• Ophthalmology

• Otorhinolaryngology

• Cardiovascular

• Noninvasive Vascular Studies

• Pulmonary

• Neurology

• Central Nervous System Assessments

• Hydration

• Therapeutic and Diagnostic Administration

• Chemotherapy Administration

• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

• Patient Education and Training

• Non-Face-to-Face Nonphysician Services

• Moderate Sedation

Module 8. HCPCS Level II Coding

• Modifiers

• Supplies

• Medications

• Procedures performed on Medicare patients

Module 9. Surgery and Modifiers

• Procedures approved for outpatient hospital facilities

• Procedures approved for ASC facilities

Module 10. Cases

• Ten cases will test your ability accurately code medical record documentation, from a facility perspective, using CPT®, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II. The cases will cover 10000 series, 20000 series, 30000 series, 40000 series, 50000 series, 60000 series, medicine, radiology, and pathology and laboratory. Medical terminology, anatomy, compliance, and regulatory information may also be tested in the cases.