Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)

 The Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) certification offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is a highly respected credential for medical coders, particularly those working with inpatient and hospital facility coding. Understanding the training costs, exam requirements, and eligibility criteria is essential for planning your certification journey 

Class Types: Online Classes

Batch Options:

Weekday : Monday to Friday

Weekend : Saturday and Sunday

Duration: 45 hours

2 hours per session (training & practice)

Language : English, 

• Age: Must be at least 18 years old​
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent
• Freshers/College pass out students.
• Medical Science Graduates or Post Graduates.
• Any Paramedical science diplomas or Graduates.
• Any Life Science Graduates or Post Graduates.
• Any Graduates or Post Graduates.
• Experienced Medical Transcriptionists/Life science professionals.​
• Minimum 6 months experience in medical Coding

• Medical Coding Systems: ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and CPT coding.
• Medical Record Review: Understanding patient records and documentation.
• Regulatory Guidelines: Compliance with healthcare laws and coding ethics.
• Coding Scenarios: Practical application of coding in real-world cases.
• Revenue Cycle Management: Billing processes and reimbursement methods.

•  Inpatient Coding Specialist/Senior Coder 
•  Hospital-based Coder 
•  Coding Auditor/Quality Assurance Specialist  
•  Risk Adjustment Coder 
•  Clinical Documentation Specialist/CDI Coordinator  
•  Insurance Companies and Managed Care Organizations  
•  Healthcare Consulting Firms 
•  Telehealth and Remote Healthcare Organizations 

Total exam time: 4 hours (3 hours 55 minutes for questions plus 5 minutes for the confidentiality agreement)​

Total number of questions: Between 115 and 140 questions

ICD-10-CM code book

ICD-10-PCS code book

American Medical Association's CPT Professional Edition

Exam Format and Structure

The CCS exam is a computer-based test administered at Pearson VUE Authorized Test Centers worldwide. Understanding the exam structure helps candidates prepare effectively:​

Total exam time: 4 hours (3 hours 55 minutes for questions plus 5 minutes for the confidentiality agreement)​

Total number of questions: Between 115 and 140 questions​

The exam consists of two distinct sections:​

Section 1: Multiple-choice questions - Approximately 97 multiple-choice questions, of which about 79 are scored and 18 are pre-test questions (unscored). This section tests knowledge across five domains.​

Section 2: Medical scenario questions - Approximately 8 medical scenarios (case studies), of which 6 are scored and 2 are pre-test questions. These scenarios typically involve inpatient, outpatient, and emergency department cases requiring complete coding from documentation.​

Important exam navigation rules: You can flag questions for review and return to them within each section. However, once you submit Section 1 (multiple-choice), you cannot return to it. The medical scenario section typically carries more weight per question, so time management is critical.

 Understanding how CCS differs from the more common CPC certification helps clarify whether CCS is right for you:

Difficulty level: CCS is generally considered more difficult than CPC due to its emphasis on inpatient coding, medical scenarios requiring complete record coding, and more stringent eligibility requirements.​

Setting focus: CCS focuses on hospital inpatient and facility coding including ICD-10-PCS procedure coding and DRG assignment, while CPC focuses primarily on outpatient and physician practice coding.​

Career progression: CCS is typically pursued after CPC certification by coders seeking career advancement and higher salaries.​

Salary impact: CCS-certified coders typically command higher salaries than CPC-certified coders due to the advanced skill level and specialization