Outpatient Coding and Coverage Issues: Observation

Course Code: REL-RCC-REV-CCI-A03

Hours: 0.5

Type: Online Course

Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2026

Learning Objectives:
Recall coding for observation services.
Identify the criteria for the observation Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC).
Apply the documentation and coding rules for observation status.
List the Outpatient Code Editor (OCE) edits that are applicable to observation services.

Outline:
Section 1: Introduction

About This Course

Learning Objectives

Section 2: Overview

Definition of Observation Services

Medical Necessity

Review

Section 3: Coding and Payment

Observation and APC Codes

Requirements for Separate Ambulatory Payment Classification Payment

Documentation Requirements

Review

Section 4: Direct Admission

Direct Admission to Observation Care

Reporting Direct Admission to Observation Care

Review

Section 5: Edits

Outpatient Code Editor Edits

Review

Section 6: Conclusion

Course Summary

Course Contributors

Resources

References

Subject Matter Expert: Tamara Abraham, AS, BA, CPC-I, CGSC, CPC

Tamara has twenty-seven years of multi-specialized medical coding and Corporate Compliance experience. She is the founder of Abraham Medical Coach LLC, where she provides medical coding and healthcare compliance consulting services to healthcare organizations across the United States. In addition to consulting, Tamara prepares individuals to sit for their medical coding certification via her online course curriculum. She is an adjunct educator for a local community college based in Texas. Her area of instruction includes Introduction to Medical Law, Medical Terminology, ICD-10-CM and Procedural Coding. Tamara’s credentials include AAPC Approved Instructor, Certified General Surgery Coder and Certified Professional Coder with the Academy of Professional Coders Association (AAPC). She has authored three books specific to the medical coding industry.

Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Healthcare Billing and Coding; in the following settings: Hospitals: Acute.

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To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.

Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.