The CIC examination consists of questions regarding the correct application of ICD-10-PCS procedure codes and ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes used for coding and billing inpatient facility/hospital services to insurance companies.
After you’ve trained with AAPC to become a medical coder — or if you have substantial medical coding experience — you should register for the CIC exam if you have an interest in working in inpatient settings.
The exam has a total of 40 multiple-choice questions and 7 cases that test the ability to read and accurately code a medical record. If you have taken the training course, studied hard, and are familiar with how to use your ICD-10-PCS and ICD-10-CM code books, the test will be demanding, but not difficult.
Before you begin the test, take a moment, and breathe. You have prepared for this. You have your code books by your side and you know how to use them. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your coding expertise.
You’ll have four hours to complete the exam. You can save time by reading the answer choices before reading each question and by saving the more difficult questions for last. It’s important to answer every question, even if you aren’t sure. Your best guess is better than no answer at all.
The questions assess several areas of knowledge, most of which are presented as coding scenarios to test application of ICD-10-PCS procedure codes and ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. The end of the exam has seven cases that test the ability to read and accurately code a medical record.
You will be able to reference approved medical code books during the exam — your choice of ICD-10-PCS and ICD-10-CM code books.
Our *Live Remote Proctored (LRP) exam is taken on a computer at home and proctored remotely by Proctor® via an external webcam.
After purchasing your exam voucher, you’ll receive a Notice to Schedule email from Meazure Learning. When you are ready to schedule your exam, you may select one of our two electronic testing options (LRP or Testing Center) at the time of registration for a date and time convenient to you. For step-by-step instruction on scheduling your exam as well as guidelines and policies for each exam format, watch our exam video tutorial.
On the day of an LRP exam, you will log into your Meazure Learning account, then connect with your ProctorU® proctor to complete a security check and take your exam. A valid, government-issued photo ID is required. Temporary, copies, paper or digital IDs are not permitted.
*Live Remote Proctored exams are available in the US, Bahamas & Jamaica only.
Equipment required: A reliable high-speed internet connection, a computer, working speakers and microphone, and an external webcam that can be positioned to show your face, hands, keyboard, and the area around the keyboard (about 10 inches).
Location: Taken at home in a closed room with window coverings, free from distraction or interruption.
Exam format: 40 multiple-choice questions and 7 cases in one sitting
Time allowed: 4 hours
Proctor to examinee ratio: 1 to 2
Cancellation and rescheduling policy:
Within 24 hours prior to exam: cancellation and rescheduling is unavailable. If you do not show for your exam time, you will be considered a "no-show." Your exam attempt will be forfeited and a new voucher must be purchased (or a 2nd attempt used, if available) to reschedule.
24 hours or more prior to exam: you may reschedule or cancel with no applicable fee.
Availability: Schedule now
Our testing center exam is taken on a computer, in-person, at one of Meazure Learning testing sites and is proctored by testing center personnel.
After purchasing your exam voucher, you’ll receive a Notice to Schedule email from Meazure Learning. When you are ready to schedule your exam, you may select one of our two electronic testing options (LRP or Testing Center) at the time of registration for a date and time convenient to you. For step-by-step instruction on scheduling your exam as well as guidelines and policies for each exam format, watch our exam video tutorial. .
Plan to arrive at your test center location 15 minutes early. A valid, government-issued photo ID is required. Temporary, copies, paper or digital IDs are not permitted.
Equipment required: All computer equipment required is provided by testing center
Location: Taken at a testing center, often at a college or university
Exam format: 40 multiple-choice questions and 7 cases in one sitting
Time allowed: 4 hours
Proctor to examinee ratio: Testing center personnel may vary
Cancellation and rescheduling policy:
Within 48 hours prior to exam: cancellation or rescheduling is unavailable. If you do not show for your exam time, you will be considered a "no-show." Your exam attempt will be forfeited and a new voucher must be purchased (or a 2nd attempt used, if available) to reschedule.
48 hours to fifteen (15) days prior to exam: a $25 fee applies to cancel or reschedule.
Fifteen (15) or more days prior to exam: no fee applies to cancel or reschedule.
Availability: Schedule now
An overall score of 70% or higher is required to pass the certification exam. If you don’t pass, you will be notified of the categories/areas of study with sub-scores of 65% or less to help you prepare for retesting.
All AAPC certification exams exclusively measure proficiencies relating to the one credential named in the exam. To earn additional medical coding credentials, you will be required to pass additional certification exams.
Your results will be shared with you online in your My AAPC Account Dashboard under My Exams. You can expect the results within 7-10 business days after taking the exam. Once you have passed, your certificate will be sent to you in the mail.
Approved code books
ICD-10-CM (current year), any publisher
ICD-10-PCS (current year), any publisher
Current year books are highly recommended as code sets are updated annually. You may choose to utilize books from the preceding year, the current year, or a combination of both; however, only one copy of each book is allowed.
Calculator
An online calculator is provided in the electronic testing platform. Physical calculators are not permitted.
Book notes
Handwritten notes are acceptable in the code books only if they pertain to daily coding activities. Long passages of information are not permitted on the blank pages. Questions from the study guides, practice exams, or the exam itself are prohibited. Altering, whiting out, painting, or printing over any pages within the code books (e.g., marketing pages, table of contents, reference pages, etc.) to supplement information is prohibited.
Book tabs
Tabs may be inserted, taped, pasted, glued, or stapled in the code books so long as the obvious intent of the tab is to earmark a page with words or numbers, not supplement information in the book.
NOTE: Electronic devices with an on/off switch (phones, tablets, etc.) are not allowed into the examination room. Failure to comply with this policy may result in disqualification of your exam.
Passing the CIC exam requires you to correctly answer a minimum of 70% of the questions from the domains below. The exam will rely on a level of understanding that enables you to identify the domain.
Medical Record and Healthcare Documentation Guidelines (7 multiple choice questions)
Recognize the limitations of EHR and how downtime is handled
Identify documentation deficiencies caused by copy/paste and use of templates
Explain HIPAA security and privacy
Define the reporting requirements under MDS
Demonstrate the proper procedure for addendums and alterations to the medial record
Identify components of the medical record
Identify the requirement for timely documentation
Recognize and properly code for procedures performed at the bedside
List the reporting requirements under UHDDS
Identify Joint Commission (JC) requirements for documentation
Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Pathophysiology (3 multiple choice questions)
Define and apply medical terminology and anatomy
Identify pathophysiology to capture correct codes and identify documentation deficiencies
Recognize medications and conditions/diagnoses they are used to treat
Inpatient Coding (7 multiple choice questions)
Identify benefits of computer assisted coding (CAC)
Explain what natural language processing is and which departments in the hospital use it
Apply Coding Clinic guidance to inpatient coding
Identify correct ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes for cases done
Identify proper procedure to look up DRGs (e.g., book, grouper)
Explain emerging roles for inpatient coders (DRG validator, auditor)
Identify conditions POA and use of indicators
Inpatient Payment Methodologies (9 multiple choice questions)
Recognize proper procedure for compliance with the two-midnight rule and certification requirements
Define different bill types
Identify information found in a charge master
List examples of auto population of services using a charge master
Explain requirements to maintain and monitor the chargemaster
Define the role each department plays in chargemaster maintenance
Explain the 72-hour rule (24-hour for other types of inpatient services) and how services occurring prior to admit are reported
Identify different types of disposition and the impact on coding
Calculate base payments for DRGs
Identify elements needed to determine DRG assignment
Define what is supported in the DRG (e.g., services performed at another facility)
List and explain different types of DRGs (e.g., APR-DRG)
Identify Medicare code edits
Define different inpatient types
Explain and apply guidelines for selecting the principal diagnosis for different inpatient facilities
Explain impact of readmissions in a 30-day period
Explain when to rebill inpatient claim as an outpatient claim
Identify data submitted on a UB-04
Outpatient Payment Methodology (3 multiple choice questions)
Identify differences between outpatient and inpatient payment methodologies
Explain coding requirements under OPPS: Pass through payments
Explain coding requirements under OPPS: APCs and status Indicators
Regulatory and Payer Requirements (6 multiple choice questions)
Review LCD/NCD and apply the policy to inpatient coding
Identify services covered by Medicare Parts A, B, C, D
Explain proper execution of the ABN and HINN
Review private payer policy and apply to inpatient payment
Identify precertification requirements
Compliance (5 multiple choice questions)
Explain external payer audits process and responsibilities of hospital staff
Explain internal audits and how they relate to compliance plans
Know how to interact with auditors during an onsite audit
Identify audit targets on the OIG Work Plan
Explain the CERT audit process and requirements for response to a request for records
Explain the PEPPER report and how it is used
Identify examples of fraud and abuse
Explain the MAC audit process
Identify services approved for audit by the RAC auditors
Explain the Medicare appeal process and discuss requirements at each level
Explain the RAC audit process and requirements for response to a request for records
Coding Cases (7 cases; fill-in-the-blank questions)
Code the ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes for seven inpatient cases
Each case will have anywhere from 5-15 possible answers. Each answer is weighted the same.