Course terms and conditions

Enrollment Agreement and Disclosure Statement

I have reviewed the syllabus for the course I have selected and understand the fees associated with my enrollment, the structure and content that will be taught in this course, as well as the occupational fields related to its area of study. I have reviewed the AAPC return/refund policy associated with this purchase.

With certain exceptions, products purchased from AAPC may be returned for a refund. Products must be submitted for a return within 30 days from the purchase or shipment date to be eligible for a refund. They must also be unopened and in resellable condition. Returned products are subject to a $5 restocking fee per item. Shipping charges are nonrefundable. Refund requests may be submitted in writing or verbally to AAPC. Distance Learning online courses may be cancelled for a full refund within three days after the date of purchase, provided that all course materials and books are returned unopened and in good condition to AAPC. After three business days, course cancellations are subject to a $50 cancellation fee per course, in addition to any fees for course materials/books that are not returned to AAPC, or are returned opened or used. Refunds will not be issued for any course after 30 days from the purchase date, or on any course that has been accessed, viewed, or partially completed. No refunds will be issued on course extensions. Distance Learning courses are for individual use only and are nontransferable.

I understand that the course is for individual use only. I understand that my course start date is considered to be the same date as my course purchase date, and that I must finish the course within the allotted time for each individual course in which I enroll (individual course timeframe listed on syllabus and on course information page of AAPC website). I understand that if I do not finish the course in the allotted timeframe I will be cancelled from the course unless I choose to purchase a course extension for a monthly fee, per course, for each month after course cancellation. Course extensions may be purchased through the life of the course. Notifications will be placed in the course and/or an email will be sent 3 months prior to formal course closure. I understand that AAPC recommends certain courses or experience level prior to enrollment as noted in the course syllabus (where applicable) and that adhering to these recommendations may determine my successful completion of the course. I understand that I should be beyond the age of compulsory high school attendance and have a minimum of a high school diploma or general education development (GED) certificate.

To maintain a good standing in the course, all students must adhere to the AAPC Code of Ethics that ensures high levels of professionalism, integrity and ethical behavior.

Students of AAPC shall be dedicated to providing the highest standard of professional coding and billing services to employers, clients and patients. Professional and personal behavior of AAPC students must be exemplary.

AAPC students shall maintain the highest standard of personal and professional conduct. Students shall respect their coaches, instructors, and AAPC staff.

Students shall use only legal and ethical means in all professional dealings and shall refuse to cooperate with, or condone by silence, the actions of those who engage in fraudulent, deceptive or illegal acts.

Students shall respect and adhere to the laws and regulations of the land.

Students shall pursue excellence through continuing education in all areas applicable to their profession.

Students shall strive to maintain and enhance the dignity, status, competence and standards of coding for professional services.

Students shall not exploit professional relationships with patients, employees, clients or employers for personal gain.

This code of ethical standards for students of AAPC strives to promote and maintain the highest standard of professional service and conduct among its students. Adherence to these standards assures public confidence in the integrity and service of professional coders who are students of AAPC.

As a condition of your AAPC membership, you are obligated to conform your conduct to the professional ethical principles outlined in the AAPC Code of Ethics. First among these is Integrity. Another is respect. The benefit of participation in an AAPC curriculum, a course of study, examination, or practical exercise to obtain experience credit is obtained only through your personal effort. To ensure the competence of our membership, participation in such programs of education requires strict conformance with the ethical principles outlined in the AAPC Code of Ethics.

The imposition of such ethical standards are consistent with requirements expected of all professionals. It is your obligation as a member to uphold these professional standards. If all members do so, we can assure that the reputation of AAPC, its credentials and its members remains untarnished. When certain members depart from these standards, the reputational damage that can unfairly occur to all other members is constrained only through aggressive self-policing and eliminating those who are unwilling to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the professional ethical standards of the organization.

Cheating, or any act of dishonesty that is designed to gain unfair advantage over others who complete the assigned tasks or examinations as required, is not only unprofessional, it is a violation of the AAPC Code of Ethics. Cheating is not only inconsistent with the principle of Integrity, it also demonstrates disrespect to yourself, your fellow members, and the professional association to which we belong.

Where dishonest acts are performed to obtain a credential, AAPC will administratively invalidate the results of the credentialing examination and remove the associated credential. Additionally, the relevant evidence will be referred to the AAPC Ethics Committee for investigation and action. Similarly, those that engage in cheating based on dishonest acts associated with completion of an AAPC curriculum or other course of study, will similarly be referred to the Ethics Committee for investigation.

Where the Ethics Committee determines that the evidence regarding the subject conduct supports a violation of the Code of Ethics, the Committee, in its sole discretion, will impose appropriate sanctions based on the facts of the case. Such sanctions include but are not limited to a written reprimand, suspension of membership, and, where appropriate, permanent revocation of membership. Because only AAPC members can hold an AAPC credential, loss of membership results in the loss of any and all previously earned credentials.

Please guide your conduct accordingly. For more information regarding the AAPC Code of Ethics.

Failure to adhere to these ethical standards, as determined by AAPC, may result in the loss of membership with AAPC, and may result in cancellation from an AAPC distance learning course. If a student is cancelled from a course, that student may submit a written or verbal appeal to AAPC for re-entry into the course.

American Academy Holdings, LLC dba, AAPC is registered under the Utah Postsecondary Proprietary School Act (Title 13, Chapter 34, Utah Code) and maintains a surety (irrevocable letter of credit) that is held by the Utah Division of Consumer Protection. Registration under the Utah Postsecondary Proprietary School Act does not mean that the State of Utah supervises, recommends, nor accredits the institution. It is the student's responsibility to determine whether credits, degrees, or certificates from the institution will transfer to other institutions or meet employers' training requirements. This may be done by calling the prospective school or employer. The institution is not accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.

AAPC is an educational and certifying body operated by American Academy Holdings, LLC (dba AAPC) with Bevan Erickson as CEO. In an effort to ensure accuracy, the course material has been reviewed by AAPC's technical staff consisting of Katherine Abel, CPC, CPB, CPMA, CPPM, CPC-I; Raemarie Jimenez, CPC, CDEO, CPB, CPMA, CPPM, CPC-I, CANPC, CRHC; Charleen Yamasato, CPC, CPC-I; Lindsay-Ann Jenkins, CPC, COC, CIRCC, CPMA, CPC-I, CANPC, Craig Laursen, CPC, Nicole Benjamin, CPC, CPC-I, CEDC, and Kathryn Williamson, CPC, CIC.

AAPC completion rates over the last three years:

Completion Table

*Indicates students are still in progress of completing the course. Completion rate is not final.

AAPC will, to the best of its ability, maintain employment rates to be posted when information is available. Completion of an AAPC distance learning course or AAPC certification does not guarantee job placement. AAPC does not participate in job placement. Students may access job boards to search for employment and post resumes in AAPC member's area of website.

By purchasing any online course, I hereby attest that the information I have submitted to AAPC is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge, and hereby agree to the terms and conditions of AAPC as stated herein. No other prior agreement or conditions, verbal, written, or implied, will be honored. I, the undersigned, have read, understand and agree to abide by all the provisions set forth in the foregoing enrollment agreement.

Terms and Conditions Signature