Online Class: CPT Coding for Beginners

no certificate
with CEU Certificate*
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15Lessons
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26Exams &
Assignments -
4,027Students
have taken this course -
20Hours
average time -
2.0CEUs
Course Description
This self-study medical coding course will emphasize the rules and guidelines on the CPT coding manual.
The course benefits those who work or want to work in the medical field whether it be as a medical biller, medical coder, medical collector, or medical office administrator.
The class format is designed to help the beginner coder learn and understand the concept of coding using the CPT-4 coding manual.
The course is designed to help the experienced coder gain additional knowledge and practice on their speed in preparation for the coding certification exam.
Coding scenarios are provided to help the student continue his/her knowledge in the field of medical coding.
Course Motivation
In the beginning, the billing process involved sending a bill to the patient or to an insurance carrier. The physician (also referred to as provider) charged a service, such as an office visit, at a dollar amount. The dollar amount was handwritten on a superbill (charge ticket) and typed on the patient's statement. The biller would proceed to type the charges on an insurance claim form.
This method worked for a time, until third-party payers became involved in the payment process. The process grew too fast, and it became too difficult to keep up with how and what to pay for a procedure or service.
A system was created to describe the procedures by code numbers. Each code describes a procedure and the billing using these codes, which became the source for the current system used today, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT).
The CPT Code
CPT is a set of codes that identifies a description of a procedure or service. CPT began in 1966 and was published by the American Medical Association (AMA). The five-digit code is a way of communicating to an insurance company, a patient, or a physician, what service or procedure was provided to a patient.
It does not have any value if it is not linked to an ICD-10 (diagnosis) code. This process is known as "medical necessity." The code also has to match the place of service. (Read the first page of the CPT manual regarding "Place of Service."
It is extremely important to have current coding manuals in the medical office. Annual updates are made, and not having a current version of the coding manuals can cause the practice reduction in pay if the wrong CPT code is billed for the service, if the place of service does not match the five-digit CPT code, or if the service is not medically necessary.
The CPT Index
The index in the CPT coding manual is located in the beginning or the end of the coding manual, depending on the edition that is purchased.
When searching for a CPT code, always begin in the index. The search can begin with the name of the procedure (such as endoscopy, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy), the organ (liver, heart), system or body site (such as the colon), the name of the condition (Colles fracture), a synonym, and eponym, or an abbreviation (such as ECG or EKG). The Index is located in the back part of the CPT coding manual.
A specific code, or range of codes, in the CPT index guides the coder to locate the procedure or surgery that was done. For instance, if the index indicates the five-digit CPT code and a comma, the coder would review each code provided. If a hyphen is indicated between two codes, the coder would review each code, beginning with the first code, up to the last code.
Do not code directly from the index. The codes are to be assigned from the main body of the CPT manual. Remember the rule: index first, confirm second. After locating the code in the index, double-check the code and the description in the main body of the CPT manual.
Description of CPT Codes
Stand-alone codes are referred to as "parent" or "root" codes. Indented codes are found in the CPT coding manual following the parent code. Special attention must be paid when reading the description of the CPT code. The codes are divided into distinct types of services. As we move on through the lessons, you will learn about parent codes and indented codes.
CPT Guidelines
Each section of the CPT manual contains guidelines for the specific chapter. Read and become familiar with the guidelines prior to coding. Important information is listed in the guidelines and becoming familiar with the guidelines will help you make sense out of coding.
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs

Course Lessons
Introduction to the CPT Coding System
Lesson discussions: How would you rate this lesson?; Test your Knowledge; Test your Knowledge; Test your Knowledge; Test your Knowledge; Test your Knowledge; My understanding of this assignment; CPT coding Manual; Reasons for Taking this Course
Complete: Assignment_Intro to CPT Coding Systems
Assessment: Exam/Intro to CPT Coding
Modifiers, Sections, and Symbols of CPT®
Lesson discussions: How would you rate this lesson?
Complete: Assignment_Modifiers, Sections & Symbols of CPT
Assessment: Exam/Modifiers-Sections and Symbols of CPT
Evaluation and Management CPT® Section
Lesson discussions: How would you rate this lesson?; Grading Poll Question
Assessment: Exam/Evaluation & Management
Anesthesia CPT® Section
Lesson discussions: How would you rate this lesson?
Complete: Assignment_Anesthesia Section
Assessment: Exam/Anesthesia Section
Surgery and the Surgical Package in CPT®
Lesson discussions: How would you rate this lesson?
Assessment: Basic Elements of the Surgical Package
General & Integumentary CPT® Section
Lesson discussions: How would you rate this lesson?
Complete: Assignment_ Integumentary System Coding Assignment
Assessment: Exam/Integumentary System
Musculoskeletal System CPT Section
Lesson discussions: How would you rate this lesson?
Complete: Assignment_Musculoskeletal System
Assessment: Exam/Musculoskeletal System
Respiratory CPT Section
Lesson discussions: How would you rate this lesson?
Complete: Assignment_Respiratory System
Assessment: Exam/Respiratory System
Cardiovascular CPT Section
Lesson discussions: How would you rate this lesson?
Assessment: Cardiovascular Section
Digestive System CPT Section
Lesson discussions: How woul you rate this lesson?
Complete: Assignment_Digestive System
Assessment: Exam/Digestive Section
Urinary System CPT Section
Lesson discussions: How would you rate this lesson?
Assessment: Exam/Urinary System
Male and Female Genital CPT Section
Lesson discussions: How would you rate this lesson?
Complete: Assignment_Male and Female Genital Systems
Assessment: Exam/Male & Female Genital Section
Maternity CPT Section
Lesson discussions: How would you rate this lesson?
Complete: Assignment_Maternity Section
Assessment: Exam/Maternity Section
Nervous System CPT Section
Lesson discussions: How would you rate this lesson?
Complete: Assignment_Nervous System
Assessment: Exam/Nervous System Section
Radiology and Pathology CPT Sections
Lesson discussions: How would you rate this lesson?; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
Complete: Assignment_Radiology and Pathology Sections
Assessment: Exam/Radiology and Pathology Sections
Learning Outcomes
- Define and describe the CPT Coding System.
- Define and recognize Modifiers, Sections, and Symbols of CPT.
- Describe and demonstrate coding Evaluation and Management CPT.
- Describe and demonstrate coding Anesthesia CPT.
- Describe and demonstrate coding Surgery and the Surgical CPT.
- Describe and demonstrate coding Integumentary CPT.
- Describe and demonstrate coding Musculoskeletal System CPT.
- Describe and demonstrate coding Respiratory CPT.
- Describe and demonstrate coding Cardiovascular CPT.
- Describe and demonstrate coding Digestive System CPT.
- Describe and demonstrate coding Urinary CPT.
- Describe and demonstrate coding Male and Female Genital CPT.
- Describe and demonstrate coding Maternity CPT.
- Describe and demonstrate coding Nervous System CPT.
- Describe and demonstrate coding Radiology and Pathology CPT.
- Describe and demonstrate coding Medicine CPT.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Additional Course Information

- Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
- Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
- Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
- View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
- Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

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Time to complete | 6 months |
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Time to complete | 12 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
Certificates & CEUs
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Includes CEUs |
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Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 24 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
Student Testimonials
- "This course was very helpful in learning the details of CPT coding. The video presentations as an aid in learning were also very useful." -- Debbie W.
- "The instructor was clear and concise when I had questions. Encouraging to her students." -- Joline K.
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