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 & documentation abilities. |  |
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. It includes questions on the following 18 content areas: ICD-9, CPT®, E&M, Eye Codes, Modifiers, Special Testing Services, Major Surgery, Minor Surgery, Retina, Pediatrics, Oculoplastics, Dispensing, Vision Rehabilitation, Anterior Segment, Cornea, Glaucoma, Compliance, and Neuro-Ophthalmology.
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% 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
Exams will be mailed after JCAHPO receives your application. You have 10 working days to complete the open-book exam in the privacy of your home or office, using CPT, ICD-9, and other resources. The test is estimated to take approximately 8 hours to complete. Upon completion, mail all materials back to JCAHPO for scoring. JCAHPO will mail your results and feedback report within 2 – 4 weeks following submission. If you do not earn a passing score of 80 percent or more, you may retake the exam by submitting the re-test fee with another application.
JCAHPO will automatically send you a re-test application form with your official notification of results. After you have earned the OCS Certificate of Completion, you will be required to test again every three years to retain your OCS status; no continuing education credits will be required.
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 Application
View the Ophthalmic Coding Specialist Exam Brochure/Application (PDF 647K)
Questions? Call 800.284.3937 or e-mail coding@aao.org
