Advanced Hospital Coding and CCS Prep (Voucher Included)

The Advanced Hospital Coding (AHC) and Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) Prep course provides the strategic edge you need to bridge knowledge gaps in your current hospital role or successfully transition from a physician's office to a complex inpatient setting. By transforming your foundational knowledge of medical terminology and anatomy into advanced, facility-specific mastery, you can navigate the intricate reimbursement models and data quality standards unique to large-scale healthcare systems.

In this CCS certification training, you will dive deep into advanced ICD-10-PCS and DRG assignments, ensuring you meet the high standards of accuracy required by top-tier employers. New PCS mastery assignments and a high‑level, condensed review of ICD‑10‑CM help reinforce technical proficiency and accelerate readiness for complex inpatient coding scenarios. All curriculum content has been fully realigned with current Certified Coding Specialist certification exam domains and supported by PRG‑aligned quizzes and reviews to mirror the expectations of experienced coders.

The program delivers a modernized learning experience through refreshed graphics, interactive lesson activities, and a high‑definition instructional video designed to elevate engagement and comprehension. Access to Codify Complete, powered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), will give you hands‑on experience with an industry‑standard encoder directly inside the learning platform. A soft‑skills video series also helps strengthen communication, professionalism, and workplace readiness. A full-length AHC mock exam is included to build your confidence, acclimate you to CCS testing style, and measure exam preparedness. You will also be supported by "Vanessa," an AI AHC mentor who provides real‑time guidance, instant clarification, and on‑demand coding support throughout the course.

Upon completion of this CCS training, you will receive a voucher for the American Health Information Management Association's (AHIMA) CCS exam, providing a direct pathway to the gold-standard certification needed to secure advanced positions and maximize your marketability in the global healthcare market.

What you will learn

• Identify the roles and responsibilities of a coder in both inpatient and outpatient facilities
• Understand health information from clinical documentation using your knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy/physiology, and disease processes
• Assign ICD-10-CM/PCS and CPT/ HCPCS Level II codes and modifiers in accordance with current coding guidelines
• Understand revenue and reimbursement models/methodologies (e.g., outpatient reimbursement systems)
• How to identify and resolve conflicting, ambiguous, or missing information in health records to ensure accurate and complete clinical documentation
• Master updated CCS exam domains through newly aligned curriculum content and CCS‑specific objective mapping
• Develop deeper technical proficiency with specialized PCS mastery assignments and high‑level ICD‑10‑CM review modules
• Apply coding skills using integrated access to Codify Complete (powered by AAPC), enabling real‑time encoder practice within the course

How you will benefit

• Acquire the skills to successfully complete the American Health Information Management Association's (AHIMA) mastery-level credentialing exam, the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
• Receive instant, personalized support through "Vanessa," the AI AHC mentor guiding you through coding challenges and course material
• Strengthen exam readiness with a full AHC mock exam that simulates CCS testing conditions
• Benefit from quizzes and reviews realigned with the Professional Review Guide (PRG), ensuring consistency with standards used by experienced coders
• Engage with a fully refreshed learning experience featuring new graphics, interactive lessons, and high‑definition video

1. Hospital Structure, Billing, and Insurance
   1. Introduction
   2. Hospital Structure and Organization
   3. Revenue and Reimbursement
   4. Payment Methods
   5. Cost Controls
   6. Healthcare Payers
   7. UB-04 and CMS-1500 Claim Forms
2. Ethics, HIPAA, Fraud, and Abuse
   1. Introduction
   2. Ethics
   3. The Medical Record
   4. HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules
   5. Electronic Data Interchange
   6. HIPAA Safeguards
   7. Fraud and Abuse
3. ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding Review
   1. Introduction
   2. ICD-10-CM Code Book
   3. ICD-10-CM Guidelines
   4. Chapter Specific Guidelines
4. Reporting Requirements for Hospital Admissions
   1. Introduction
   2. Principal and Additional Diagnoses
   3. Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs)
   4. Reporting Requirements and Physician Queries
5. ICD-10-PCS Inpatient Procedure Coding
   1. Introduction
   2. ICD-10-PCS Organization and Structure
   3. ICD-10-PCS Root Operations
   4. ICD-10-PCS Guidelines
   5. ICD-10-PCS Sections 1-4
   6. ICD-10–PCS Sections 5-X
   7. PCS Guidelines, Regulations, and Resources
6. Outpatient Coding: CPT and HCPCS Level II
   1. Introduction
   2. Outpatient Reimbursement Systems
   3. Outpatient Coding guidelines
   4. Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)
   5. CPT Anesthesia and Surgery
   6. CPT Evaluation and Management
   7. HCPCS Level II
   8. HCPCS Level II
7. Data Quality, Compliance, and Auditing
   1. Introduction
   2. Data Quality
   3. Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI)
   4. Coding Compliance
   5. Health Record Auditing
8. Coding with Your Codify Encoder
   1. Introduction
   2. Getting Started with Codify
   3. ICD-10-CM Coding with Codify
   4. CPT® and HCPCS Coding with Codify
   5. Other Tools in Codify
9. Advancing in your Coding Career
   1. Introduction
   2. Career Goals
   3. What you offer an Employer
   4. Showcase Your Skills
   5. The Resume
   6. The Cover Letter
   7. The Interview
10. CCS Exam Preparation
    1. Introduction
    2. CCS Eligibility
    3. The CCS Exam
    4. Coding Review Resources
    5. CCS Practice Exams

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 12 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader .
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The following eBooks will be provided to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:

• Coding and Reimbursement for Hospital Inpatient Services (1yr access to eBook)

You'll receive an email with the access code and instructions for downloading your electronic textbook.

• Professional Review Guide Online for the CCS/CCS-P Examination (1yr digital access)

Students Responsibility:

The following materials are required for the Advanced Hospital Coding & CCS Prep Course. Before purchasing, please check the AHIMA website for the Allowable Code Books List for the CCS certification examination. You will need the current year's version of:

• Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) (not included)
• Healthcare Professional Coding System (HCPCS) Level II (not included)
• ICD-10-CM (not included)
• ICD-10-PCS (not included)

Prerequisites:

This is not an entry-level Certified Coding Specialist course. Before taking this course, you should have previous coding experience or education and have completed either the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant with Medical Billing and Coding course or the Medical Billing and Coding course.

Certification Requirments:

Although it is not required, CCS exam candidates are recommended to meet one of the following qualifications:

• By Credential: RHIA®, RHIT®, or CCS-P® OR
• By Education with Experience: The following courses MUST be completed; anatomy & physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, reimbursement methodology, intermediate/advanced ICD diagnostic/procedural, and CPT/HCPCS coding plus one (1) year of coding experience directly applying codes; OR
• By Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of related coding experience directly applying codes; OR
• By Credential with Experience: CCA® plus one (1) year of coding experience directly applying codes; OR
• Other Coding credential from other certifying organization plus one (1) year coding experience directly applying codes.

If you do not qualify for the CCS exam, you may still be eligible for the Certified Coding Associate (CCA®) an entry-level certification exam offered by AHIMA or the American Association of Professional Coders Apprentice level certification, the Certified Professional Coder Apprentice (CPC-A) or Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC™). This course will prepare you for those certifications as well, and you'll find more information about them in the Certification Prep lesson at the end of the course. Certification exams offered by AAPC and NHA are only available online to candidates located in the US. AHIMA only offers in-person exams in both the US and Globally.

Carline Dalgleish

Carline Dalgleish has worked in medical office administration for over 30 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Information Systems, a master's degree in Leadership, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Health Information Management. She is a Registered Health Information Administrator and an AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer. Dalgleish is the author of an ICD-10 coding system and also owns her own consulting firm.

Bunny Reeves

Bunny Reeves is the senior ambulatory surgery coder at the Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. She trains student coders at Maimonides Medical Center and previously trained and supervised entry-level coders at Staten Island's St. Vincent Medical Center. Reeves is a Certified Coding Specialist, accredited by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Does this course prepare you for National Certification?

Yes, the Advanced Hospital Coding course prepares students to sit for the Certified Coding Specialist exam offered by AHIMA.

When can I start the course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

How long does it take to complete this course?

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive six (6) months to complete the course.

What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

What happens when I complete the course?

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

Am I guaranteed a job?

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

Can I get financial assistance?

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

How can I get more information about this course?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.

As a bilingual I really enjoy everything about this course... The teacher responded very promptly whenever I sent her a question; this is a great opportunity for anyone who would love to achieve a better future for tomorrow.

My facilitator's responses were always quick when I had a question. Bunny is very knowledgeable.

My facilitator was always easy to contact and always answered questions quickly. I thought the course was very well organized, especially for a course that contains so many smaller areas within a broader-based field of content. This course had to be difficult to set up and have the information flow as smoothly as it did. It was very well set up in my opinion. This contributed greatly to my ability to learn and relate the various types of information so that I could complete assignments and tests. I had an excellent learning experience. This is exactly the type of learning environment that students need. I learn more in a positive learning environment where I feel comfortable asking questions and that sums up my experience with the AHC & CCS Prep course. It was great!

I enjoyed the ability to work at my own pace. The immediate feedback from my facilitator was amazing and the coursework was exceptional. I will be recommending ed2go to everyone. Thank You.

I liked that it was available to do at my own pace and yet I could reach someone when I had a question. The combination of the online course and the books proved to be an intense learning experience. I am happy that I was able to pass the CCS exam earlier this week and could not have done it without this preparation!