Essentials of CPT and HCPCS Coding
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Essentials of CPT and HCPCS Coding
This course is part of Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Exam Preparation Specialization
Instructors: SkillUp
Included with
Recommended experience
Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Differentiate and apply CPT Categories I–III, HCPCS Level II codes, and appropriate modifiers in outpatient coding scenarios.
Explain and apply global surgical package rules and anatomical documentation review to assign accurate CPT codes within the 10000–60000 series.
Assign CPT codes for anesthesia, radiology, pathology/laboratory, and medicine services using official guidelines and documentation analysis.
Explain compliance principles, HIPAA requirements, and professional ethical standards to support accurate and defensible coding practices.
Details to know
June 2026
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There are 4 modules in this course
Build job-ready skills for outpatient medical coding and advance your preparation for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC)® certification. Essentials of CPT and HCPCS Coding is an intermediate-level course that focuses on developing the practical knowledge and analytical skills needed to accurately assign CPT® and HCPCS Level II codes based on clinical documentation in outpatient settings.
You will strengthen your understanding of CPT® code categories, modifiers, and HCPCS Level II coding for supplies and services, while learning to interpret medical records and apply coding guidelines effectively. The course emphasizes Evaluation and Management (E/M) coding, emergency department scenarios, and the application of global surgical package rules. As you progress, you will practice coding across major CPT® sections, including surgery (10000–60000 series), anesthesia, radiology, pathology/laboratory, and medicine services. You will also explore compliance requirements, ethical standards, and regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA to ensure accurate and defensible coding practices. Through case-based activities, interactive exercises, and hands-on coding practice, this course builds your confidence in documentation-driven coding decisions and prepares you for advanced coding coursework and CPC® exam success.
This module focuses on CPT® and HCPCS Level II coding for outpatient procedures, supplies, and Evaluation and Management (E/M) services. You will learn to navigate CPT® categories, apply global surgical package rules, and use appropriate modifiers. The module also covers integrated procedure-and-supply coding, including drugs and durable medical equipment (DME). You will apply E/M and Emergency Department (ED) level selection using medical decision making (MDM) and time-based guidelines, with emphasis on American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) guidance and current updates to support accurate and compliant coding.
What's included
5 videos5 readings3 assignments1 plugin
5 videos•Total 21 minutes
- Course Introduction•3 minutes
- Navigating CPT® Category I, II, and III•4 minutes
- HCPCS II, CPT, and Modifiers•5 minutes
- E/M and Emergency Department Code Sets•4 minutes
- Application of E/M and Emergency Department Code Sets•4 minutes
5 readings•Total 18 minutes
- Course Overview•3 minutes
- How to Make the Most of This Course•3 minutes
- CPT® Global Surgical Package and Section Openers Guidelines•5 minutes
- ACEP Guidelines and Current E/M Updates•5 minutes
- Module Summary: Procedure and Supply Coding Fundamentals•2 minutes
3 assignments•Total 33 minutes
- Graded Quiz: Procedure and Supply Coding Fundamentals•21 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Procedure Coding Fundamentals for Drugs and Supplies•6 minutes
- Practice Quiz: E/M and Emergency Department CPT® Coding•6 minutes
1 plugin•Total 20 minutes
- Lab: ICD, CPT®, HCPCS Codes from E/M and ED Reports•20 minutes
This module develops applied proficiency in CPT® surgical coding across major body systems. You’ll practice coding outpatient surgical procedures within the 10000–60000 series, focusing on anatomical specificity, documentation analysis, modifier application, and the relationship between procedural and diagnosis coding. The module focuses on differentiating preoperative and postoperative diagnoses, understanding their impact on ICD-10-CM reporting, and selecting accurate CPT® codes based on detailed clinical documentation. Through case-based activities and integrated surgical scenarios, learners strengthen their ability to code complex procedures confidently and accurately.
What's included
4 videos3 readings3 assignments2 plugins
4 videos•Total 19 minutes
- Surgery Code CPT® Series 10000-30000•5 minutes
- Application of Surgery Code CPT® Series 10000-30000•5 minutes
- Surgery Code CPT® Series 40000-60000•5 minutes
- Application of Surgery Code CPT® Series 40000-60000•5 minutes
3 readings•Total 10 minutes
- Anatomy-Based CPT® Coding (10000-30000) and Pre- vs. Postoperative Diagnosis Coding•4 minutes
- Anatomy-Based CPT® Coding (40000-60000) and Surgical Diagnosis Impact•4 minutes
- Module Summary: Surgery CPT® Series 10000-60000 Coding•2 minutes
3 assignments•Total 33 minutes
- Graded Quiz: Surgery CPT® Series 10000-60000 Coding•21 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Surgery CPT® Series 10000-30000 Coding•6 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Surgery CPT® Series 40000-60000 Coding•6 minutes
2 plugins•Total 20 minutes
- Activity: Choosing the Right CPT® Code (Series 10000-30000)•10 minutes
- Activity: Choosing the Right CPT® Code (Series 40000- 60000)•10 minutes
This module focuses on CPT coding for anesthesia, radiology, pathology/laboratory, and medicine services in outpatient settings, while emphasizing compliance and ethical standards in medical coding. You’ll apply official CPT guidelines, documentation review techniques, and modifier rules to accurately assign codes across these major sections. In addition, the module covers professional ethics, HIPAA requirements, fraud prevention, and regulatory oversight to understand how coding accuracy, documentation integrity, and compliance work together. Through case-based activities and applied exercises, you’ll strengthen both technical coding skills and ethical decision-making essential for CPC exam success and real-world practice.
What's included
6 videos4 readings4 assignments2 plugins
6 videos•Total 28 minutes
- Anesthesia and Radiology CPT® Coding Overview•5 minutes
- Applying Anesthesia and Radiology Codes•5 minutes
- Pathology/Laboratory and Medicine CPT® Coding Overview•5 minutes
- Applying Pathology/Laboratory and Medicine Codes•4 minutes
- Compliance and Ethical Standards in Medical Coding•4 minutes
- HIPAA, Confidentiality, and Audit Readiness•5 minutes
4 readings•Total 14 minutes
- Documentation Review and Modifier Application in Anesthesia and Radiology•4 minutes
- Documentation Review and Modifier Use in Pathology and Medicine•4 minutes
- AHIMA® and AAPC® Code of Ethics•4 minutes
- Module Summary: CPT® Coding and Compliance and Regulatory Standards•2 minutes
4 assignments•Total 39 minutes
- Graded Quiz: CPT® Coding and Compliance and Regulatory Standards•21 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Anesthesia and Radiology Coding•6 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Pathology/Laboratory and Medicine Coding•6 minutes
- Practice Quiz: Compliance, Ethics, and Regulatory Standards•6 minutes
2 plugins•Total 30 minutes
- Activity: Case Practice for Anesthesia and Radiology Coding•15 minutes
- Activity: Case Practice for Pathology and Medicine Coding Query•15 minutes
In this module, learners integrate CPT®, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II knowledge through a comprehensive outpatient coding portfolio. The module reinforces regulatory standards, sequencing accuracy, and documentation analysis while assessing overall readiness for advanced CPC® preparation.
What's included
1 video3 readings2 assignments
1 video•Total 4 minutes
- Course Summary•4 minutes
3 readings•Total 6 minutes
- Course Glossary: Essentials of CPT® and HCPCS Coding•3 minutes
- Congratulations and Next Steps•2 minutes
- Thanks from the Course Team•1 minute
2 assignments•Total 75 minutes
- Project: Integrated Outpatient Coding Casebook•45 minutes
- Final Exam: Essentials of CPT® and HCPCS Coding•30 minutes
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. Access to current-year CPT®, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II code books is strongly recommended. This course includes open-book coding exercises, documentation-based activities, and CPC®-style practice scenarios that require learners to practice efficient code lookup and navigation strategies using official coding manuals.
Yes, it is strongly recommended. This course builds on the foundational concepts introduced in Course 1, including medical terminology, anatomy fundamentals, and introductory coding concepts. Learners should already be familiar with CPT®, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II basics before starting this course.
Yes, the course teaches you how to navigate CPT® categories, apply HCPCS Level II codes, and use modifiers accurately in real-world outpatient scenarios.
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