Clinical Coding FAQs

• That depends on which country you intend to work as a clinical coder.
• Each country sets their own requirements based on their license agreement. Refer https://www.ihacpa.gov.au/health-care/products-and-licenses
• In Australia you need to successfully complete the Diploma of Clinical Coding 12^th

• The Diploma of Clinical Coding is a course that is regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). eHealth Education Pty Ltd (eHE) is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 32279) approved by ASQA to deliver this course. See https://training.gov.au/Organisation/Details/32279 . eHE is an organisational member of HIMAA
• HIMAA and eHE are both Registered Training Organisation (RTOs)
• HIMAA do NOT approve RTO courses
• HIMAA is also a Professional Organisation representing Health Information Managers. As an RTO HIMAA must accept graduates of this approved course. As a Professional organisation your clinical coding student status or successful completion provides criteria for membership applications. For HIMAA membership details Refer https://www.himaa.org.au/membership/becoming-a-member/

• We recommend that you dedicate a set amount of time every week.  If you dedicate:
  • 20 hours a week you should be able to complete within 12 – 18 months.
  • 10 hours a week (a minimum for successful learning) you should be able to complete within 18 – 24 months
• The course is self-paced, you have 24/7 access.
• We recognise that there may be special conditions requiring extension of time to complete – these are handled individually.

• Generally no, all assessments are taken online on a module-by-module basis. You can only proceed with your studies once you have successfully completed each study module.
• We do have a final exam if students have not been able to achieve competence in parts of the course – to give them a final chance to complete successfully.

You can start anytime.

A suggested timetable is provided and you need to maintain consistent progress within the flexible framework, supporting your completion within an effective learning timeframe (maximum of 24 months)

• As an RN we recognise your prior learning of medical terminology and medical science. This entitles you to enrol in the Diploma of Clinical Coding for Clinicians following receipt of a copy of your RN qualification.
• This reduces the time required to complete by 3-6 months.

So that you retain what you have learnt and progress within an effective learning timeframe the maximum of 24 months has been set.   Requests for extension for illness or similar reasons can be considered.

• No, those are additional costs all students undertaking any clinical coding course need to meet, eg the Medical Vocabulary textbook and the Clinical Coding ‘Books” – the Turbocoder
• Only the coding text book is provided as part of the course costs.

Australian coding rules differ greatly from ICD-10-CM coding rules. Those with experience in in-patient coding (CIC) find it easier to learn ICD-10-AM than a certified outpatient coder (COC). We recognize your prior learning based on evidence provided. Once assessed we provide a discount in price accordingly for your chosen course. This needs to be selected on the basis of your intended geographic work location.

There is no equivalent. No qualification at this level is offered in Australia – The closest we have is the Diploma of Clinical Coding, a more substantial piece of learning than that for AAPC certification. This Diploma is a formal, internationally recognised qualification.