This program is provided exclusively by the RN-Coder Network, led by Joyce L. Thomas, MHA, CPM/LM, who is a nationally-known coding expert. She founded the RN-Coder Nerwork and began teaching coding to RNs, MDs and other clinical personnel in July 2001. Her copyrighted program, the RN-Coder and RN-Auditor Institutes provides continuing education through the California Board of Registered Nursing (CA BRN CEP #13482 - Medical Reimbursement Specialists). Prior to 2001 Joyce taught the Professional Medical Reimbursement Program at the University of California - Riverside (southern California) and the University of California - Davis (northern California) campuses. She holds a Masters degree in Healthcare Administration (MHA) from the University of LaVerne (1987) and has over 25 years of healthcare executive management experience. Joyce is Certified Professional Midwife, licensed by the California Medical Board.
Joyce was originally certified in coding in 1989 by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). She founded the American Association of Clinical Coders and Auditors (AACCA) with a group of Masters-prepared Registered Nurses in 2003 when a need developed for Registered Nurses, physicians, and other clinical personnel to be tested and certified in Medicare-compliant coding and medical documentation review. The AACCA Founding Board of Directors developed a bank of over 3,000 multiple-choice test questions which have been validated by over 5,000 Registered Nurses taking the exam over a nine year period. The certification exams are updated annually as the CPT, ICD9 and HCPCS coding manuals are updated. To date, the AACCA certification examinations are the ONLY testing products for licensed clinical personnel, as well as the ONLY computer-based coding testing in the US healthcare industry.
