Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC™)
The new inpatient medical coding certification standard, Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC™), is the only credential dedicated exclusively to inpatient hospital/facility coding. The CIC validates expert level knowledge and experience in abstracting information from the medical record for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS coding, and it signifies specialized payment knowledge in Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Groups (MS-DRGs) and the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS). Invest in your future with the CIC™ credential ― certified coders earn 40 percent more than non-credentialed coders.
The greater the disease burden of the patient, the higher the patient’s risk adjustment score; if the patient is healthy, the risk adjustment score is lower. A patient’s health status reflects the costs of their healthcare needs. CRCs must ensure provider documentation is up-to-par for HCC coding and that disease processes are coded accurately to follow risk adjustment models.
Invest in your future with the CRC credential — certified coders earn 40 percent more than non-credentialed coders.
CRCs Make a Competitive Salary
Because HCC coding for risk adjustment requires medical coders to help providers document thoroughly all chronic disease processes and manifestations in the patient's medical record, CRCs must have a clear understanding of guidelines, regulations, diagnosis coding, and risk adjustment. According to AAPC's 2017 Salary Survey, the average salary for the medical coding professional averages at $52,441. The CRC credential, however, makes $62,310 annually, so it's a great medical coding area to get into. Depending on where you live, your responsibilities, and the place of employment, a CRC's salary will vary. Click here to calculate the average CRC salary in your area.
As a CRC, you will be able to:

  • Review and assign accurate medical codes for diagnoses performed by physicians and other qualified healthcare providers in the office or facility setting (e.g., inpatient hospital)
  • Thoroughly comprehend medical coding guidelines and regulations including compliance and reimbursement and the impact of diagnosis coding on risk adjustment payment models
  • Understand the audit process for risk adjustment models
  • Identify and communicate documentation deficiencies to providers to improve documentation for accurate risk adjustment coding
  • Understand the anatomy, pathophysiology, and medical terminology necessary to correctly code diagnoses