Certifications (Health Science & Nursing): Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)

Certified Coding Specialist (CCS®)
Applicants outside the U.S. should visit the  international exam tab.

CCSs are skilled in classifying medical data from patient records, generally in a hospital setting. These coding practitioners:

• Review patients’ records and assign numeric codes for each diagnosis and procedure
• Possess expertise in the ICD-10-CM and CPT coding systems
• Are knowledgeable about medical terminology, disease processes, and pharmacology.

Different facilities and institutions make use of a CCSs' skills:

• Hospitals and medical providers take the coded data created by CCSs to insurance companies—or to the government in the case of Medicare and Medicaid recipients—for reimbursement of expenses
• Researchers and public health officials also use this data to monitor patterns and explore new interventions

Coding accuracy is highly important to healthcare organizations, and has an impact on revenues and describing health outcomes. In fact, certification has become an implicit industry standard. Accordingly, the CCS credential demonstrates a practitioner's tested data quality and integrity skills, and mastery of coding proficiency. Professionals experienced in coding inpatient and outpatient records should consider obtaining this certification.

Exam Information:

• Exam Vouchers: one
• Student Cost: 
  • Non-member: $99.75;
  • or AHIMA Member: $74.75 (plus membership fee of $12.25).
• Number of questions: 105 
• Format: various
• Test Length: 4 hours
• Passing Score: N/A

For more information about the exam (Overview, Applying, and Exam Prep), please visit the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS®) website. 

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