The CCS exam (AHIMA) 

The CCA credential is a certification that shows you have  demonstrated the ability to abstract the correct procedural and diagnosis  codes in hospitals and physician practices. This credential indicates proficiency  in all areas of coding, both hospital- and physician-based.

Here’s what  you need to know: 

The CCS examination consists of multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions  that are based on medical terminology and coding examples and that  include questions based on pharmacology (drugs and the conditions they’re  prescribed to treat). You prepare for this test in the same way you prepare  for the CPC examination (refer to the earlier section). 

If you want to take the CCS examination, you must have a very basic paper in  hand: your high school diploma or an equivalent like the GED. Beyond that,  AHIMA recommends (but doesn’t require) that you have a minimum of three  years’ experience in a hospital setting coding for multiple types of inpatient  and outpatient cases. 

AHIMA, much like the AAPC, also recommends that you are proficient in anatomy,  pharmacology, and the disease processes. You’ll also want to have a  demonstrated proficiency in abstracting pertinent data from patient records. 

The CCS is able to assign procedure codes and the supporting  diagnosis codes. Because of that, healthcare providers rely on competent  coders to report data that is used for reimbursement. Also, public health  agencies and research organizations use data derived from your coding patterns  to identify developing needs of the industry. So your coding has lasting  effects that go well beyond reimbursement for the provider.