Ophthalmic Coding Specialist (OCS) Exam
| The American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives (AAOE) and the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) are partners in offering the Ophthalmic Coding Specialist™ (OCS) Exam designed to help professionals in ophthalmology improve their coding and documentation abilities. |
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Reassure yourself that your coding knowledge is up to date
The OCS exam is designed to provide learning and to thoroughly test the coding knowledge of professionals in ophthalmology, including: physicians, coders/billers, ophthalmic medical personnel, office managers, administrators, consultants, optometrists, and para-professionals.
This open-book exam includes questions on the following 18 content areas: anterior chamber; code this chart; compliance; cornea; CPT® and ICD-9; E&M and Eye codes; frequently asked questions; glaucoma; introduction to ophthalmic coding; major and minor surgery; modifiers; neuro-ophthalmology; oculoplastics; optical dispensing; pediatrics and strabismus; retina; special testing services and vision rehabilitation.
After completing the test, you will receive feedback to help improve your coding and documentation abilities. Areas where your coding skills need further improvement will be identified so you can correct problems internally before someone else does.
Those who attain a passing score of 80 percent or higher on this exam will be awarded the Ophthalmic Coding Specialist (OCS) Certificate of Completion. The Ophthalmic Coding Specialist Examination has been awarded 4 JCAHPO A credit hours.
Prepare for the Exam
In addition to calling upon your working knowledge, prepare for the exam by:
Details about the OCS process
JCAHPO launched their new ACTIONed web site in May, 2010 making the OCS exam available in an on-line format. You can complete the exam in one session or over several sessions. You will have 10 days, from the date of purchase, to complete this open-book exam in the privacy of your home or office, using CPT®, ICD-9, and other resources.
- You must complete the OCS exam online. It cannot be downloaded for printing. You may complete the exam in multiple sessions. Bookmark the test to save it so you can finish another day. Your answers will be saved from one session to another.
- You will receive a Pass or Fail grade immediately when you submit the OCS Exam. Regardless of your score, you will receive a performance breakdown indicating which content areas with one or more incorrect answers.
- To earn the OCS Certificate of Completion, you must answer 80 percent of the questions correctly. If you pass the exam your Certificate of Completion will be sent to you within two to six weeks.
Testimonials
“My billing staff is required to take (and pass) the OCS exam. While other coding certifications are good credentials, they don’t guarantee the competency in ophthalmology. Since the OCS Certificate of Completion is specialty specific, I have confidence my coders understand ophthalmology when they pass this exam.”
Gaye Baker, OCS
Associate Administrator
University of Missouri-Columbia
“Ophthalmologists like myself who have pursued an OCS Certificate of Completion have realized a real benefit in capturing all eligible, billable services legally. I can sleep well knowing I am justified and confident in my coding competence. In these days of declining reimbursement, I would recommend all ophthalmologists, but particularly young docs, consider the OCS examination to be a requirement.”
John Haley, MD, OCS
Garland, Texas
OCS Brochure and Application
Download the 2010 OCS exam brochure (PDF 347K) and/or OCS exam application (PDF 356K).
Questions? Call 800.284.3937 or e-mail coding@aao.org
