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ZHealth CIRCC Preparation FAQs
additional information about Certified Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular Coder (CIRCC) Preparation Courses & Guides
A. Interventional radiology has advanced as its own specialty as the significant errors in its coding have emerged. Coding schools spend very little, if any, time discussing catheter placement coding and the component coding system, and they often do not focus on how to code the radiological S&I codes. Technologists and nurses who enter charges may not be trained in CPT coding. When you put the two components together the final results are destined to be error-prone. Due to this complexity and the lack of any comprehensive training in all the components, individuals with this credential will be sought by facilities to oversee their charging and coding process for interventional radiology and basic cardiology. Individuals with the CIRCC credential will be valuable assets to an organization and compensated appropriately. Plus, interventional radiology is one of the highest paying coding specialties.
A. Even if you have been coding for an extended period of time, there are probably areas that you haven’t been exposed to. For example, if you are in a hospital setting, aortic stent graft placement is an inpatient procedure and not CPT coded. You probably have never CPT coded one of these complex procedures. If you aren’t familiar with the radiological S&I coding rules, you will need to learn them. You are expected to know basic cardiac cath lab coding, along with an understanding of the basics of modifiers.
We strongly encourage you to review the CIRCC Study Guide and concentrate on those sections that you are less familiar with. If you want more thorough explanation, Dr. Zs Interventional Radiology Coding Reference: 2010 is the best source of information. ZHealth's anatomical coding charts are also the best source for assistance with catheter placement coding. The AAPC is also offering an online practice exam that you can take ahead of time to identify any areas that you need to concentrate your educational efforts on.
A. The AAPC mandates that those wishing to possess and maintain the CIRCC credential must obtain 24 CEUs every two years that are specific to interventional radiology and cardiovascular coding. There are a wide variety of educational offerings that will provide the educational credits required to maintain the credential, including virtually all ZHealth medical coding resources.
A. The CIRCC exam is offered by the AAPC throughout the year at various locations around the country – including the Saturdays following each of the ZHealth Coding Seminars (at the same location).
A. You can take CPT and HCPCS Level II code books and a set of anatomical charts. The ZHealth Publishing anatomical coding charts are the best ones available for selecting the appropriate catheter placement codes.
A. ZHealth coding seminars are certainly beneficial, and by attending just one of our four annual ZHealth Publishing coding seminars, you can earn up to 27 AAPC CEUs - enabling you to meet the CEU requirements to maintain the CIRCC credential – all at once. But there are other requirements that must be met. The AAPC requires a letter attesting to your current competency with interventional radiology/cardiovascular coding from your employer or a physician. They also recommend that the applicant have an associate’s degree. The CIRCC test is not for novice coders, but rather for seasoned medical coding professionals. Experience in medical coding is absolutely required.
A. The best reference material on interventional radiology is Dr Zs Interventional Radiology Coding Reference. It provides in-depth explanation of all IR procedures and includes anatomical drawings to help explain the procedures pictorially. There are a few questions on the exam on cardiac catheterization, since many peripheral angiography cases are now being performed in conjunction with cardiac catheterization, E&M coding, and ICD-9-CM diagnosis coding.
The CIRCC Study Guide is an important adjunct to Dr. Z’s Interventional Radiology Coding Reference and Dr. Z’s Diagnostic & Interventional Cardiovascular Coding Reference. ZHealth’s anatomical coding charts are the best reference available for catheter placement code selection and can be taken into the exam with you.
Also read our ZHealth Exam Guidelines for more information.
A. ZHealth also periodically offers a one-day intensive CIRCC Review Course and CIRCC Webinars (or purchase the CD) to help you prepare for the CIRCC exam.
Please contact ZHealth Publishing if you have any additional question about the CIRCC credential and our preparation guides and courses.
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