The University of Texas at Arlington Selects Practice Management Institute’s CMC Certification Testing for its Medical Coding & Billing Specialist Preparatory Course

“Physicians are looking for certified professionals who have the ability to code with or without the computer,” said Marti Geron, Reimbursement/Coding & Compliance Manager at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

“There’s no multiple-choice on this exam,” said Lynn Ballard, Vice President of Professional Services for Practice Management Institute. “Candidates who sit for PMI’s CMC certification exam must understand how to code by hand, to the highest degree of specificity. Both diagnostic and procedural coding skills are measured.”

In 2004, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) named PMI’s Certified Medical Coder program as an example of coder certification programs that could be utilized to fulfill its coding certification requirement of Medicare Contractors. The requirement stems from implementation guidelines for the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). This recognition reinforces PMI’s position as a top provider of certification for medical office staff.

Geron, who has over 35 years of experience in the healthcare industry, explained that arming her students with CMC certification is the capstone of their education.

“My students will code from every chapter of CPT and ICD-9 in order to strengthen their coding skills and those who study hard and pass this exam will go into the job market with a higher confidence level and therefore will be better qualified to perform in today’s complex coding environment,” said Geron.

The CMC preparatory course is a 60-hour class provided by The University of Texas at Arlington’s Continuing Education Division. Students learn fundamental skills like medical terminology and anatomy, as well as the intricacies of CPT, ICD-9-CM, and HCPCS coding systems. Professionalism and confidentiality issues are also addressed. Upon successful completion of the course, students will sit for the six-hour CMC exam. Prep course and exam information can be found in the “Healthcare Careers Section” on UTA’s web site: www.uta.edu/ced/.

PMI training classes and certification programs are currently offered to physicians and their staffs in 400 of the nation’s leading hospitals, health care systems, colleges and medical societies. For more information, visit www.pmiMD.com or call 800-259-5562.

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