Medical Coding Certification Course FAQs

Here are some common questions & answers regarding Medword's special coding & certification course bundle:

Is everything in this course packet included to become a certified registered medical coder or are there additional things like software, computer accessories etc. that need to be purchased?

The only materials that need to be purchased separately are the current year CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-9 coding manuals. They are necessary for the completion of the RMC program. You may purchase the CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-9 coding manuals through Medword. The books Medword recommends are written by the AMA (American Medical Association), but you are free to purchase other editions by other authors. The important point is that the manuals are for the current year, any given year the course is taken.

Do I get a professor to contact?

An instructor is assigned to every student. The course advisor will contact the student within 48 hours of completion of the enrollment. Once the enrollment is fulfilled, the students instructor will contact the student within 5 business days.

What is the time limit to complete this course?

The RMC-A course carries a six week time limit, but the RMC carries a six month time limit. The programs are run through self study and correspondence which means the courses can be completed faster than the allotted time, but not slower.

All I need is Internet access?

You will need Internet access as well as an e-mail program. Also, your computer will need to have a CD player. Study manuals are provided to the student with 200-250 practice questions. The answers for these questions are found in the back of the manual. Students will also get an exam simulator on CD. This allows students to take practice quizzes or a full practice exam. The quizzes are 20 questions and the exam is 150 questions.

How many tests and quizzes will be given in total?

There are questions at the end of every chapter.

Do the students mark the tests-quizzes themselves?

These questions can be graded by the student with the answer keys at the back of the book.

What about the certification process? Do students have to write this under supervision, and if so, where would that be done?

The exam simulator on CD allows students to see the correct answer every time they complete a question. Students answer these on their own and contact their instructor if they have any questions.

What other information should I know regarding the certification process?

For the final examination in the RMC certification process, the test is taken online. It is 150 questions long, and there is a time limit of 24 hours once you start the test. Students may log in and out of the Internet as much as they like for breaks, all of their answers will be saved. The average student will take anywhere from 6-9 hours depending on their level of experience. A 76% mark is required to pass, but if by chance students do not attain this mark, they have a free retest that they can take, and may also review the results with their instructor. It is suggested that students take their first exam about a month before their expiration date just in case they have to take the retest. This way, the student will have plenty of time to review the material and speak with their instructor. Passing rates are about 85% for the first time taking the test, and about 98% of students pass the second time the exam is taken.

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