CERTIFIED INPATIENT CODING (CIC)

What is CIC

CIC is a professional certification by AAPC, focused exclusively on inpatient / hospital / facility coding (not outpatient).
It validates the ability to correctly code diagnoses and procedures (ICD-10-CM + ICD-10-PCS) for inpatient hospital services, understand facility documentation and compliance standards, and assign accurate DRGs under hospital prospective payment systems (IPPS / MS-DRG).

The exam contains 40 multiple-choice questions and 7 inpatient coding cases with fill-in-the-blank coding (not multiple choice).
Time allowed: 4 hours total (single sitting) when taken either via remote-proctored online exam(USA) or at a testing center.
The exam is open-book: candidates may use ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS code books during the exam; other references not permitted.
To maintain the certification, CIC holders must maintain their AAPC membership and earn 40 CEUs every two years.

CIC exam tests a broad range of inpatient-coding skills and facility knowledge:

ICD-10-CM (diagnoses coding) — all relevant official guidelines, chapter-specific rules, sequencing, POA (present on admission) indicators, diagnosis assignment principles.
ICD-10-PCS (procedure coding) — accurate application of PCS coding rules for inpatient procedures.
Familiarity with hospital facility departments, types (acute care hospitals, teaching hospitals, critical-access, etc.), and inpatient vs outpatient distinctions.
Understanding the Uniform Hospital Discharge Data Set (UHDDS) guidelines as they relate to inpatient coding and discharge data.
Ability to code operative notes, inpatient services, and a wide variety of hospital patient services using official coding guidelines (diagnosis + procedure) including complex cases.

Understanding of Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and MS-DRG methodology, how DRGs are assigned based on diagnoses, procedures, POA indicators, comorbidities, complications.
Knowledge of the differences between inpatient and outpatient payment models, and when outpatient vs inpatient coding/payment applies (for hospital-based services vs non-facility).
Understanding hospital charge master, billing types, admission/discharge rules, 72-hour rule (or 24-hour rule) for pre-admit services, readmission / discharge status coding, UB-04 data submission, other hospital billing rules.

Recognizing elements of an inpatient medical record — documentation components, timely documentation, use of templates/EHR, addendums, alterations, privacy & HIPAA, medical necessity justification — to ensure coding supports claims.
Ability to identify documentation deficiencies and query providers / clinicians to clarify diagnosis / procedure / inpatient stay information before coding — important for audit readiness and compliance.
Understanding regulatory and payer requirements, Medicare / private payer rules, auditing risks (RAC audits, OIG, CERT audits), compliance best practices, documentation retention, and appeal processes.

Solid knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, medical terminology, pharmacology — to interpret provider documentation correctly and assign accurate codes.
Understanding different hospital departments and their documentation standards, operative and procedural workflows, inpatient facility operations, discharge planning, inpatient vs outpatient status determination.

Qualifies you to work as an inpatient hospital coder, handling coding for diagnoses + procedures, supporting hospital billing / revenue cycle management.
Enables roles such as DRG coder / auditor / hospital coder / inpatient coding specialist / facility coder, with potential for senior coding or auditing positions.
Important for hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), critical access hospitals (CAHs), teaching hospitals, rehab hospitals — any inpatient facility needing accurate coding for reimbursement.
Offers a credible, globally recognized credential from AAPC; useful for international placements / remote inpatient coding jobs — aligning with your academy’s USP for international placements.