Due to the overwhelming need for experts in the interventional radiology cardiovascular specialty, AAPC offers the CIRCC® credential and encourages experienced interventional radiology cardiovascular coders to sit for the certification exam.
Interventional radiology coding and charging error rates are known to be high for this radiology subspecialty. The CIRCC credential validate an additional level of education, knowledge, and expertise required by the individuals who work in this complex and specialized area.
The CIRCC®exam covers:
- Diagnostic angiography
- Non-vascular interventions (biliary procedures, biopsies, ablations, spine interventions, etc.)
- Percutaneous vascular interventions
- Diagnostic cardiac catheterization
- Basic coronary arterial interventions
- Basic coding
- Anatomy
- Terminology
Most questions on the CIRCC exam are presented in a case report format. Diagnostic angiography, non-vascular interventions, and percutaneous vascular interventions account for approximately 25% of the exam. Diagnostic cardiac catheterization and basic coronary arterial interventions make up 10% of the exam. Test sections on basic coding, anatomy, and terminology account for less than 10% of the test.