Online Class: CPT Coding for Beginners

no certificate
with CEU Certificate*
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15Lessons
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39Exams &
Assignments -
4,562Students
have taken this course -
20Hours
average time -
2.0CEUs
Course Description
In-Depth Medical Coding: Navigating the CPT Landscape
Medical coding stands as the cornerstone of the modern healthcare system. It's the bridge between medical practitioners and insurance agencies, ensuring that healthcare providers are compensated appropriately for their services. With a robust foundation in the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding manual, professionals in the medical field can enjoy a seamless experience in medical billing, coding, collections, and office administration.
Our comprehensive self-study course offers a thorough exploration of the CPT coding manual, combining essential guidelines with real-world applications. It serves as a guide for beginners and a refresher for seasoned professionals, catering to a broad spectrum of learners.
Who Will Benefit? This course is meticulously crafted for individuals across various facets of the medical domain:
- Aspiring medical billers and coders looking for a foundational grasp on CPT.
- Medical collectors aiming for accuracy in their tasks.
- Medical office administrators seeking efficiency in day-to-day operations.
- Experienced coders aiming to refine their skills and boost their speed, especially when gearing up for the coding certification exams.
Course Highlights:
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Intricacies of the CPT Code: Begin with the basics of the CPT coding system. This introductory module sets the stage, allowing students to get acquainted with the code's structure and significance.
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Deep Dive into Modifiers, Sections, and Symbols: Go beyond the basics by understanding the nuanced differences and critical markers within the CPT.
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Comprehensive System Reviews: Engage in systematic learning from Evaluation and Management to Radiology and Pathology sections of the CPT. Each section is accompanied by assignments and netlinks to provide an immersive experience.
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Scenario-based Learning: Contextualize theoretical knowledge with real-life coding scenarios. This ensures not just rote learning but a practical understanding of the application of codes in various medical contexts.
Course Breakdown: Each module of the course is tailored to offer a granular understanding of the various sections of the CPT:
- Introduction to the CPT Coding System: Foundation of CPT and its relevance.
- Modifiers, Sections, and Symbols of CPT®: Decoding the intricacies of CPT.
- Evaluation and Management CPT® Section: Navigating patient interactions and services.
- Anesthesia CPT® Section: Grasping codes related to sedation and pain management.
- Surgery and the Surgical Package in CPT®: Understanding procedural coding nuances.
- General & Integumentary CPT® Section: Delving into skin and related systems.
- Musculoskeletal System CPT Section: Codes for bones, muscles, and joints.
- Respiratory CPT Section: Learning codes for lung and airway procedures.
- Cardiovascular CPT Section: Delving into the heart and blood vessels.
- Digestive System CPT Section: Codes for gastrointestinal procedures.
- Urinary System CPT Section: Navigating renal and urinary procedures.
- Male and Female Genital CPT Section: Understanding reproductive system codes.
- Maternity CPT Section: Emphasizing childbirth and maternal care.
- Nervous System CPT Section: Unpacking codes for neurological procedures.
- Radiology and Pathology CPT Sections: A look into diagnostic procedures and laboratory tests.
Whether you're starting your journey in medical coding or refining your expertise, our course promises a transformative experience. Dive deep into the world of medical coding, unlock opportunities, and set yourself up for success in the dynamic world of healthcare. Join us and steer your career in the right direction with a command over CPT coding!
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs

Course Lessons
Lesson 1. CPT and Its Role in Modern Healthcare Billing
The AMA's CPT coding system, a cornerstone for medical billing since 1966, transforms procedure descriptions into standardized codes necessary for insurance claims, demanding comprehensive understanding of its indexes, modifiers, and section-specific norms. Accurate coding, linked to relevant ICD-10-CM codes, hinges on organizational details within the manual's main body and updated guidelines, crucial for reimbursement efficacy.Lesson 2. The Art and Science of Modifiers in Medical Coding
Modifiers are critical in medical coding as they specify how a procedure was altered without changing its fundamental nature, affecting both the informational and financial aspects of healthcare claims. Mastering the use of modifiers, found in Appendix A of the CPT manual, equips coders to navigate complex scenarios and ensure accurate reimbursement.Lesson 3. From Office Visits to Critical Care: A Comprehensive Guide to E/M Services
E/M coding involves structuring medical services into categories like office and hospital visits, consulting specifics for patient care. Familiarity with the CPT coding manual and its guidelines is essential for accurate coding and management.Lesson 4. Understanding Anesthesia in Surgery
The coordination of anesthesia and surgical teams ensures effective pain management and patient care during surgeries, ranging from local to general anesthesia. CPT® codes and modifiers guide the billing process, addressing factors like the patient's health status and specific procedural needs.Lesson 5. Comprehensive Guide to Surgical Coding and Procedures
CPT codes for surgeries range from 10021 to 69990, covering diverse medical systems from integumentary to auditory. Surgical coding guidelines require familiarity with code modifiers and insurance carrier rules.Lesson 6. Integumentary Insights: CPT Coding Essentials
Navigating CPT codes for the integumentary system involves recognizing anatomical components such as the skin, hair, and nails and decoding related medical procedures like debridement and Mohs surgery. Coders must differentiate complexities in procedures and adhere to specific guidelines to ensure accurate reporting and billing.Lesson 7. Introduction to Musculoskeletal CPT Guidelines
Manipulation, external, and internal fixations are key procedures in treating fractures within the musculoskeletal system, with coding guidelines specifying the methods used. The CPT code range 20000-29999 covers diverse musculoskeletal procedures, including casting, strapping, and endoscopic techniques.Lesson 8. Respiratory System CPT Overview
The key to accurate CPT coding for the respiratory system lies in understanding the specific procedures and their complexity, as indicated by codes ranging from simple excisions to extensive surgeries. Key anatomical structures such as sinuses and the larynx are associated with unique medical procedures, which require careful attention to coding details to ensure compliance and prevent insurance issues.Lesson 9. Introduction to Cardiovascular System Coding
Lesson Summary 4: Understanding cardiovascular CPT coding involves navigating a wide range of procedures, from heart surgeries to pacemaker insertions, within codes 33010-39599. Detailed guidelines ensure correct coding, especially for complex procedures like combined arterial-venous grafting and electrophysiologic operations.Lesson 10. Mastering Digestive System Codes
Through a detailed examination of digestive system coding, the lesson underscores procedures within the manual's 40490-49999 range while unraveling the complexities of tonsillectomy and endoscopic surgeries. It further highlights the critical nature of techniques such as decompression and gastrostomy, pivotal for ensuring precision in the medical coding realm.Lesson 11. Navigating the CPT Manual: Urinary System Procedures
In the urinary system subset of the CPT manual, coders navigate a hierarchy of codes for renal transplants, urethroplasties, and more, with focus on procedure context and previous interventions. Code modifiers like -26, -50, and -58 are crucial for addressing aspects like professional component and surgery stages.Lesson 12. Understanding CPT Codes for Male & Female Genital Systems
Male Genital System coding, defined under codes 54000-55899, includes an array of procedures from biopsy to complex repairs on organs such as the epididymis and the prostate. Female Genital System coding is covered by codes 56405-58999, detailing procedures focusing on different anatomical parts, ensuring coders consider factors like the type of hysterectomy to select appropriate codes.Lesson 13. Navigating Antepartum to Postpartum Coding: The Essentials
Covering antepartum to postpartum phases, CPT guidelines (59000-59899) provide clarity on comprehensive maternity care coding, addressing various delivery methods and possible complications. The manual highlights the importance of using specific codes for procedures like diagnostic amniocentesis and ectopic pregnancy treatments.Lesson 14. Exploring the Codes: CPT for Neural Surgeries
The lesson discusses the anatomy of the nervous system, categorized into central and peripheral systems, and outlines CPT coding for related procedures within code range 61000-64999. Specific focus is given to procedural codes for different anatomical parts, such as the skull, meninges, spine, and peripheral nerves.Lesson 15. Radiology Guidelines: Essential Practices for Accurate CPT Coding
CPT guidelines are crucial for proper coding of radiology procedures, detailing how various imaging techniques help in diagnosis and tracking conditions from simple X-rays to complex MRIs. Radiologists must meticulously follow instructions across categories to assign precise codes for diagnostic and therapeutic services.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to accurately locate and verify CPT codes using the CPT index and main manual, ensuring compliance with coding guidelines and medical necessity requirements.
- Define the purpose and structure of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding system, including its major sections and the role of modifiers.
- Define and explain the function of CPT modifiers, outlining how they can influence medical billing practices.
- Identify and apply appropriate modifiers in case studies to ensure accurate coding according to specific procedural scenarios.
- Describe the importance of a physician's work being influenced by the type of service, place of service, and patient's health status.
- Identify the categories and subcategories within the Evaluation and Management section of the CPT coding manual.
- Define the different types of anesthesia and describe their applications in surgical procedures.
- Identify and apply appropriate CPT anesthesia codes, including add-on codes and modifiers, based on patient scenarios and medical guidelines.
- Demonstrate the proper use of modifiers in surgical coding to accurately reflect multiple, related, or unrelated procedures performed on the same day or during the postoperative period.
- Identify and apply the appropriate CPT surgery code for various surgical procedures based on anatomical systems and specialties as outlined in the CPT manual.
- Demonstrate the ability to accurately code common integumentary system procedures using the correct CPT codes, based on the type of biopsy, excision, or lesion removal.
- Recognize and describe the anatomical parts of the integumentary system, including the skin, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, hair, and nails.
- Define the process of closed reduction in musculoskeletal CPT coding, including terms such as manipulation and stabilization, using examples from codes 20000-29999.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Additional Course Information

- Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
- Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
- Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
- View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
- Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

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Time to complete | 24 Months |
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Student Testimonials
- "This course was very helpful in learning the details of CPT coding. The video presentations as an aid in learning were also very useful." -- Debbie W.
- "The instructor was clear and concise when I had questions. Encouraging to her students." -- Joline K.
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