Code of Ethics
As part of the membership agreement, every professional coder must agree to uphold the highest standard of professional coding and billing services to employers, clients and patients. Professional and personal behavior of AAPC members must be exemplary. Adherence to AAPC’s standards and its Code of Ethics assures public confidence in the integrity and service of professional coders who are members of AAPC.
AAPC takes its Code of Ethics very seriously. Code violators may lose their credentials and membership with AAPC for code violations.
AAPC Chapter Association (AAPCCA)
The AAPC Chapter Association is a non-profit organization within AAPC that leads the 400+ local chapters througout the nation. Every AAPC member is automatically part of a local chapter, which provide leadership and education opportunities for members.
The AAPCCA has a voting board consisting of 16 coders from across the country and one AAPC liaison. The first-ever AAPCCA Board of Directors was announced in June 2007, and the board will serve through 2009. Independent of the AAPC national office, the AAPCCA Board of Directors will work in tandem with AAPC local chapter leaders to support their strategic initiatives and programs.
National Advisory Board (NAB)
The role of the AAPC’s National Advisory Board (NAB) is to advise AAPC leadership and is comprised of 16 AAPC-appointed members who serve a two-year term. Deborah Grider, is the 2007-09 president. The NAB works with the national office for the betterment of the entire membership and the medical coding community through active participation in nationally sponsored conferences, events, publications, educational programs and activities.
Certifications
AAPC offers the gold standard in outpatient medical coding industry credentials:
- Certified Professional Coder® (CPC®)
- Certified Professional Coder-Hospital® (CPC-H®)
- Certified Professional Coder-Payer® (CPC-P®)
- Certified Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular Coder™ (CIRCC™)
- 18 Specialty Credentials
AAPC's CPC® certification credentials are the most recognized credentials in the industry. Currently 62,000 medical coders are certified through AAPC – more than any other organization in the country. Part of ongoing certification through AAPC is adhering to the most rigorous CEU requirements in the country. We support more than 400+ local chapters nationally. These local chapters provide a forum for members to meet to discuss coding issues, network, and earn low-cost CEUs. No other organization provides this level of networking opportunities to its professional coders.
State law in Hawaii requires that auditors hold an AHIMA or AAPC credential. In most government documents, however, “certified coder” is the requirement, without further explanation. For example, the RACs are expected, according to CMS, to hire “certified coders.” But not all certified coders are created equal. We’re confident that with due diligence, you’ll choose AAPC for your medical coding credential and your career.
Purpose
The AAPC provides medical coding education and training and credentials to medical coders in physician offices, hospitals, outpatient centers, ambulatory surgery centers and payer organizations. All members of AAPC agree to abide by a Code of Ethics that ensures high levels of professionalism, integrity and ethical behavior.
Organization Profile
Founded: 1988
Headquarters: 2480 S. 3850 West, Suite B, Salt Lake City, Utah 84120
Industry: Healthcare, Insurance, Billing and Coding
Members: More than 82,000 members, of which more than 62,000 are certified
Web site: www.aapc.com
Press Resources: www.aapc.com/pressreleases
Media Contact: Jane Putnam, PPBH, (801) 487-4800 x123, jputnam@ppbh.com
Medical Coding Industry Profile
All U.S. physicians and hospitals are required by law to use codes to report supplies, diagnoses, procedures and other services associated with patient care. The responsibility of coders is to accurately assign these codes. All payment for medical services in the United States is linked to these codes.
Professional coders have expertise and knowledge that is critical to the effective working of the health care delivery system. Standardized codes expedite information gathering, billing, and data collection. Standardized systems allow payers to better compare charges for services and set payment rates that not only fairly reward the providers for their work but reduce insurers’ risks. Further, the data can be collected over time and analyzed for trends: Which treatment methods work best over time for which conditions? What is the incidence of certain diseases or certain treatments in specific localities?
All this contributes to a reduction in the cost of health care.
Circulation
AAPC reaches an audience interested in the financial impact of accurate professional medical coding, including professional billing and coding staff, university management, physicians, nurses, insurance payers, consultants, educators, accountants, and those dealing with legal issues associated with medical coding.
