Certified Family Practice Coder – CFPC (AAPC)
By Raising Careers Staff | Updated: October 2019
OVERVIEW
Certification Description
The Certified Family Practice Coder (CFPC) credential certifies individuals in their ability to accurately assign medical codes for procedures and services within the field of family practice medicine. This certification is a specialty credential for experienced coders and shows their superior level of expertise in the family practice medicine coding field.
The CFPC credential may lead to career opportunities and higher paying jobs that uncertified coders may not be eligible for.
Skills Focus
The certification focuses on the following areas:
- Expertise in assigning accurate medical codes for procedures and services within family practice medicine
- Knowledge of Medicare billing rules and coding
- Maintain expertise on types of procedures performed in family practice medicine
- Medical knowledge of ancillary and minor surgical procedures
- Analytical mindset with great attention to detail
Exam Objectives
- Ability to read and abstract physician office notes and procedure notes to apply correct ICD-10-CM, CPT®, HCPCS Level II and modifier coding assignments
- Evaluation and Management (both the 1995 and 1997 Documentation Guidelines). The examinee must know how to determine the level of history, exam and medical decision making in addition to the appropriate level of service.
- Rules and regulations of Medicare billing including (but not limited to) incident to, teaching situations, shared visits, consultations and global surgery
- Coding of ancillary procedures performed in a family medicine practice such as venipuncture, injections, EKG, etc.
- Coding of minor surgical procedures performed in a family medicine practice such as lesion excision, foreign body removal, fracture care, etc. The examinee must know proper sequencing using RVU (Relative Value Unit) when multiple procedures are performed.
- Time-based coding
- Medical terminology
- Anatomy and physiology
Exam Details
- Issuing Organization: American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
- Prerequisites: 2 years of anesthesia and pain management coding experience highly recommended; AAPC membership required; 3 manuals allowed during testing (CPT, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II)
- Questions: 150
- Time: 340 minutes
- Cost: $299
- Re-certification and certification renewal: Every 2 years
- View Certification Guidelines and Handbook
Other relevant details: NA
CGIC (AAPC) Careers
Certified Family Practice Coder Careers
Jobs you can get with a CFPC (AAPC) certification (additional requirements may apply):
Salary (Base Level)
A specialty certification may not only increase your employability, but may increase your earnings potential as well. Keep in mind that your actual salary can vary substantially depending on region, job description and employer expectations. Reference salary for the medical records coder shown. Salary based on 2019 data.
National average per year: $40,350*
National average per hour: $19.40*
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
CFPC (AAPC) Training
Exam Preparation
- Review the exam study guide
- Complete the CFPC practice exam
- Review CPT, ICD-10-CM and HCPCS Level II coding manuals
- Review the AAPC recommended E/M Audit Worksheet
Important: This is not a complete list of all certification training and learning options available. Remember to thoroughly research and choose study materials that fit your learning style and needs. This step is crucial to help you succeed in your certification exam.
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