Advanced Endocrine Coding: Practical Applications
with Certified Endocrine Coder (CEC) Exam

A Certified Endocrine Coder (CEC) is an individual of high professional integrity who has passed a coding certification examination sponsored by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE). A CEC has achieved a certain level of knowledge and expertise in coding of services, procedures and diagnoses for endocrine physician practices. A CEC is ethical, compliant, and always striving for knowledge.

The Certified Endocrine Coder's responsibilities may include:

• Determining accurate codes for diagnoses, procedures and services performed by physicians and recognized, licensed non-physician providers in an endocrine physician-based settings (These services may include evaluation and management services as well as reviewing operative notes)
• Keeping current with medical compliance and reimbursement policies, such as medical necessity issues and correct coding issues
• Performing various auditing duties related to physician practice management and coding to maintain compliance with payor reimbursement policies and governmental regulations as well as Medicare/CMS guidelines
• Monitoring progress resulting from periodic internal audits
• Providing training in coding and compliance issues to physicians, non-physician providers and staff on an ongoing basis
• Providing physicians and staff with up-to-date coding information from reliable, accurate sources, such as specific payors, the AMA, and CMS, to name a few sources
• Providing orientation training to include medical practice guidelines for new physicians and non-providers to the practice
• Implementing of new coding guidelines in a timely manner within the practice
• Updating encounter forms/superbills on an annual basis with respect to diagnostic, procedural and supply code changes
• Updating other patient information forms as necessary from time to time
• Updating the clinic's fee schedule based on Relative Value Unit (RVU) updates that come out annually and based on additions and deletions to codes for procedures, services, and supplies
• Preparing and/or submitting completed HCFA-1500 forms for services and procedures performed by the practice's physicians and non-physician providers, such as CRNAs, nurse practitioners and physician assistants
• Reviewing explanations of benefits from payors, evaluating denied claims and filing appeals for denied claims

In order to sit, for the CEC exam, an attendee must:

• Bring a current CPT, ICD-9-CM, and HCPCS Book
• Show a valid picture ID, to match registration information
• Bring a number two pencil for the exam

If for any reason an attendee is unable to bring their current CPT, ICD-9-CM, and HCPCS books, they will ineligible to take the CEC exam. Registrants will be provided a Course Manual, on site, as part of the registration package.

In order to earn your CEC credentials, an examinee must:

• Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent
• Have at least two years of coding work experience. Coding work experience is defined as on-the-job experience that includes working with CPT®, ICD-9-CM, or HCPCS code sets.
• Submit two letters of recommendation that verify coding work experience. Letters must outline coding experience
  • The first letter must be from a supervisor typed on company letterhead, and must outline coding work experience (job description using code books) and amount of time in that capacity
  • The second letter should be from another supervisor, additional employer, or coworker
• Achieve a passing score in each section of the examination. If a passing score in each section is not achieved each time the examination is taken, the entire examination must be retaken.

To maintain the CEC designation you must receive 6.0 hours of continuing education directly related to endocrine coding on an annual basis. If, at any time, during your certification, you are sanctioned by the Office of inspector General (OIG), your certification will be immediately and indefinitely revoked.

*The OIG imposes exclusions under the authority of sections 1128 and 1156 of the Social Security Act. The Office of Inspector General's (OIG) List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE) database provides information to the health care industry, patients and the public regarding individuals and entities currently excluded from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and all Federal health care programs.