Certified Professional Compliance Officer - CPCO™
Healthcare compliance certification addresses the ever-growing compliance requirements of government laws, regulations, rules, and guidelines. Medical practices need to have someone who can develop, organize, manage, and direct the functions of a compliance department. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010 indicates compliance programs
will become mandatory as a condition of enrollment in the Federal healthcare programs, a
requirement confirmed by Daniel R. Levinson of the Office of Inspector General in his testimony
to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health on September 22, 2010.
As an individual holding the AAPC's Certified Professional Compliance Officer - CPCO™
credential, you must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the key requirements needed
to effectively develop, implement, and monitor a healthcare compliance program for your practice based on governmental regulatory guidelines — including internal compliance reviews, audits, risk assessments, and staff education and training.
With the increased scrutiny on Medicare/Medicaid fraud and abuse, the impending requirement
for mandatory physician practice compliance programs, and for an ability to offer opportunities
for AAPC members we have developed this credential to take your career and practices to the
next level.
CPCOs will have demonstrated knowledge of:
- The OIG Compliance Guidance for Individual and Small Group Physician Practices, Clinical
Laboratories, and Third Party Billing Companies
- Compliance program effectiveness
- Key healthcare fraud and abuse laws including the False Claims Act, Stark Laws, and Anti-kickback
Statute, including the associated penalties
- How the PPACA will affect medical practices
- Other laws and regulations including HIPAA, EMTALA, and CLIA
- Handling investigations, including self-disclosure protocols
- Requirements under Corporate Integrity Agreements (CIAs) and Certificate of Compliance
Agreements (CCAs)
- Current investigative activities (RACs, ZPICs, MFCUs)
- Various risk areas including items such as gifts/gratuities, conflicts of interest, use
of Advance Beneficiary Notices, teaching physicians guidelines, and incident to services
Register for ExamPrepare For Exam
The CPCO™ Certification Exam
- 150 multiple choice questions (proctored)
- 5 hours and 40 minutes to finish the exam
- 1 free retake to be used within one year of first attempt
-
$325.00
- Open reference (approved references)
The CPCO™ certification exam thoroughly covers:
7 questions
- History of healthcare laws in the United States
- Past healthcare industry investigations
- Federal Sentencing Guidelines
- Implementation of Compliance Program Guidance
- Key agencies involved in healthcare compliance
- Current statistics related to CERT reports and National Healthcare
Expenditures
- OIG five principle strategy
Physicians and Small Group Practices
33 questions
- General guidance information
- The seven "steps"
- Standards of conduct and operational policies
- Oversight requirements
- Compliance training
- Monitoring and auditing
- Communications
- Disciplinary actions
- Responding to detected offenses
Third Party Billing Companies and Clinical Laboratories
4 questions
- Lab orders and billing
- Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and diagnoses
- Use of outside billing companies
4 questions
- Supplemental hospital guidance
28 questions
- Physician compliance program guidance risks
- Documentation
- Conflict of interest
- Gifts/gratuities
- Medical necessity
- Advance Beneficiary Notices
- Incident to
- Overpayments/credit balances
- Certificates of Medical Necessity
- Certifications for Home Health & Therapy services
- Billing of non-covered services as if covered
- Teaching physicians
- Gainsharing arrangements
- Joint Ventures
- Limiting charges for PAR and Non-PAR practices
- Professional Courtesy/Discounts/Adjustments
- Rental of office space
- Unlawful advertising
- State escheat laws
20 questions
- Difference between fraud and abuse
- Civil Monetary Penalties
- False Claims Act
- Anti-kickback Statute
- Stark Laws
- Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act (FERA)
- Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA/Health Reform)
36 questions
- HIPAA
- EMTALA
- CLIA
- OSHA
- RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act)
- Mail/Wire fraud
13 questions
- Subpoenas and search warrants
- Use of legal counsel
- Self disclosure protocol
- Qui Tam/whistleblowers
- Corporate Integrity Agreements (CIAs)
- Certification of Compliance Agreements (CCAs)
- Excluded Parties (OIG and GSA)
- RACs, ZPICS, MICs, PSCs, and MFCUS
5 questions
- Federal regulations/citations/references
- Office of Inspector General
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Medicaid & Workers Compensation
Approved References for use during Examination
Any references are allowed, except Study Guides and any published references by HCCA
Note: Electronic devices with an on/off switch (cell phones, smart phones, tablets, etc.) are not allowed into the examination room. Failure to comply with this policy may result in disqualification of your exam.
Compliance Certification Requirements
While there is no experience requirement, we strongly recommend that the candidate
have at least two years experience working with compliance programs and the associated
laws and regulations. We recommend the individual also have at least an associate's
degree in healthcare. The exam requires an understanding of a wide variety of
compliance topics and issues, and practical application of those requirements
to scenarios that is often gained through years of experience. Individuals who
do not have compliance expertise or who have worked in limited compliance roles
will need to become familiar with the different topics addressed on the exam
breakdown tab on this page.
Be aware that this is a challenging, high-level examination which is not meant
for individuals with limited or no compliance experience or training.
Other requirements:
- Pay examination fee at the time of application submission
- Maintain current membership with the AAPC
- Renewing members must have a current membership at the time of application
submission as well as when results are sent
Certification Exam Recommendation
The CPCO™ examination is recommended for individuals who have experience
working in a compliance role or in a compliance department. The individual should
be extremely familiar with the key elements required for compliance programs
as well as the day-to-day operational aspects of compliance programs. Individuals
should also be very familiar with the key laws and regulations impacting compliance
programs, physician practices, and those used to address potential fraud and
abuse, including their associated penalties and fines. Individuals should also
know where to go and how to research information to identify correct practices
to mitigate compliance risks.
Maintaining Certification
Membership is required to be renewed annually and 36 Continuing Education Units
(CEUs) must be submitted every two years for verification and authentication of
expertise. For CEU requirements please see our
CEU Information page.