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CPC STUDY COURSE · 2026 EDITION

Sources and edition

Know which rules this course uses and where to check them.

This course targets the 2026 CPC exam edition. Clinical examples use an explicit service date. The current research window is July through September 2026; ICD-10-CM fiscal years and HCPCS quarters have separate effective dates.

The curriculum is being reviewed against these sources. A source listing is not a claim that every lesson has passed review.

  1. AAPC — Taking the CPC exam. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  2. AAPC — Taking the CPC and CPB exams. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  3. AAPC — After getting your CPC certification. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  4. AAPC — How can I remove the apprentice designation from my CPC certification?. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  5. AMA — CPT licensing frequently asked questions. 2026-07-14. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  6. CMS — ICD-10. FY2026 April. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  7. CDC/NCHS — ICD-10-CM Files. FY2026 April. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  8. CDC/NCHS and CMS — ICD-10-CM April 1 2026 Guidelines. FY2026 April. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  9. CMS — HCPCS Quarterly Update. 2026 Q3. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  10. CMS — Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  11. CMS — Medicare NCCI Policy Manual. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  12. CMS — Medicare NCCI FAQ Library. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  13. CMS — Evaluation and Management Services MLN006764. May 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  14. Medicare.gov — Parts of Medicare. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  15. HHS OCR — Minimum Necessary Requirement. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  16. HHS OIG — Fraud and Abuse Laws. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  17. CMS — Place of Service Code Set. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  18. CMS — Medicare Coverage Database. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  19. CMS — Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage Tutorial. April 2026. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  20. Michigan MDHHS — Policy, Letters and Forms. 2026 Q3. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  21. Michigan MDHHS — 2026 Medicaid Policy Bulletins. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  22. Michigan MDHHS — Physicians/Practitioners/Medical Clinics. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  23. NIH/NLM MedlinePlus — Word Parts and What They Mean. accessed 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  24. NIH/NLM MedlinePlus — Understanding Medical Words. accessed 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  25. NIH/NCI SEER — Anatomy and Physiology. accessed 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  26. NIH/NCI SEER — Anatomical Terminology. accessed 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  27. AAPC — What code books do I need for my AAPC certification exam?. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  28. AAPC — What to expect on exam day. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  29. AAPC — What format of books are allowed in an exam?. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  30. AAPC — What is allowed in our books?. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  31. AAPC — What should I bring with me to the exam?. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  32. Open RN / Chippewa Valley Technical College — Medical Terminology, 2nd edition — Chapter 1. 2024. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  33. Open RN / Chippewa Valley Technical College — Medical Terminology, 2nd edition — Chapter 2. 2024. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  34. Open RN / Chippewa Valley Technical College — Medical Terminology, 2nd edition — Table 14.5 Muscle Actions. 2024. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  35. NIH/NCI SEER — Layers of the Skin. accessed 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  36. MedlinePlus / A.D.A.M. editorial team — Cuts and puncture wounds. accessed 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  37. NIH/NCI — Lesion — NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. accessed 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  38. NIH/NIGMS — Burn — glossary. accessed 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  39. NIH/NCI SEER — Introduction to the Skeletal System. accessed 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  40. NIH/NCI SEER — Articulations. accessed 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  41. NIH/NCI SEER — Appendicular Skeleton. accessed 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  42. NIH/NCI SEER — Muscle Types. accessed 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  43. NIH/NIAMS — Sports Injuries. accessed 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  44. NIH/NIAMS — Osteoporosis. accessed 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  45. NCI SEER — Bronchi, bronchial tree and lungs. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  46. NCI SEER — Mechanics of ventilation. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  47. NHLBI — The respiratory system. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  48. NHLBI — What is asthma?. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  49. NHLBI — What is pneumonia?. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  50. NHLBI — What is COPD?. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  51. NHLBI — What the heart looks like. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  52. NHLBI — How blood flows through the heart. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  53. NHLBI — How the heart beats. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  54. NCI SEER — Classification and structure of blood vessels. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  55. NCI SEER — Introduction to blood. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  56. NCI SEER — Components of the lymphatic system. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  57. NCI SEER — Lymph nodes. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  58. NIDDK — Your digestive system and how it works. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  59. NCI SEER — Stomach. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  60. NCI SEER — Small and large intestine. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  61. NCI SEER — Accessory organs. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  62. NIDDK — Definition and facts for gallstones. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  63. NIDDK — Definition and facts for diverticular disease. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  64. NIDDK — The urinary tract and how it works. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  65. NIDDK — Your kidneys and how they work. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  66. NCI SEER — Genital tract. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  67. NCI SEER — Ovaries. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  68. NCI SEER — Testes. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  69. NCI SEER — Accessory glands. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  70. NCI SEER — Introduction to the endocrine system. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  71. NCI SEER — Thyroid and parathyroid glands. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  72. NCI SEER — Pancreas: islets of Langerhans. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  73. NCI SEER — Organization of the nervous system. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  74. NCI SEER — The central nervous system. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  75. NIDDK — What is diabetes?. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  76. NIDDK — Hypothyroidism. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  77. NIDDK — Hyperthyroidism. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  78. NEI — How the eyes work. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  79. NEI — How tears work. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  80. NEI — Cataracts. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  81. NEI — Glaucoma. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  82. NIDCD — How do we hear?. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  83. NIDCD — Ear infections in children. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  84. NCI — Definition of inflammation. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  85. NCI — Definition of infection. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  86. NCI — Definition of neoplasm. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  87. NCI — Definition of benign. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  88. NCI — Definition of metastasis. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  89. NCI — Definition of acute. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  90. ACDIS and AHIMA — Guidelines for Achieving a Compliant Query Practice: 2026 Update. August 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  91. CMS — Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 17: Drugs and Biologicals. 2026 service window. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  92. CMS — CMS JW and JZ modifier policy FAQ. 2026 service window. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  93. CMS — Medicare NCCI 2026 Chapter XII: Supplemental Services. 2026 service window. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  94. AMA — CPT code set: the basics and resources. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  95. CMS — Medicare NCCI 2026 Chapter I: General Correct Coding Policies. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  96. CMS — Medicare NCCI Add-on Code Edits. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  97. CMS — Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 12: Physicians and Nonphysician Practitioners. 2026 service window; cited current manual sections. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  98. CMS — Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 13: Radiology and Other Diagnostic Procedures. 2026 service window; cited current manual sections. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  99. CMS — Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 23: Fee Schedule Administration and Coding Requirements. 2026 service window; cited current manual sections. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  100. CMS — Global Surgery, MLN907166. 2026 service window; current cited policy. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  101. CMS — Strategies for Improving Global Surgery Payment Accuracy: Frequently Asked Questions. 2026 service window; current cited policy. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  102. CMS — Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 16: Laboratory Services. 2026 service window; current cited policy. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  103. Noridian Healthcare Solutions, Medicare contractor — JF Part B: Modifier 52. 2026 service window; current cited policy. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  104. Noridian Healthcare Solutions, Medicare contractor — JF Part B: Modifier 53. 2026 service window; current cited policy. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  105. Noridian Healthcare Solutions, Medicare contractor — JF Part B: Modifier 76. 2026 service window; current cited policy. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  106. Noridian Healthcare Solutions, Medicare contractor — JF Part B: Modifier 77. 2026 service window; current cited policy. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  107. American Medical Association — CPT Evaluation and Management revisions FAQs. Current 2026 page explaining E/M revisions; use current authorized book. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  108. CMS — Medicare Provider Compliance Tips: Evaluation and Management Services. Current 2026 page. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  109. CMS — Medicare Wellness Visits. 2026 service window; current linked publication. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  110. CMS — Chronic Care Management Services, MLN909188. 2026 service window; current linked publication. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  111. CMS — Medicare NCCI 2026 Chapter II: Anesthesia Services. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  112. American Society of Anesthesiologists — ASA Statement on ASA Physical Status Classification System. Amended October 15, 2025; Anesthesiology Open January 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  113. CMS — Medicare NCCI 2026 Chapter III: Integumentary System. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  114. WPS Medicare / CMS Medicare Coverage Database — LCD L35498: Removal of Benign Skin Lesions. Revision effective October 30, 2025; currently in effect. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  115. CMS — Medicare NCCI 2026 Chapter IV: Musculoskeletal System. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  116. AMA — Coding Update: Revisions to the Musculoskeletal System Introductory Guidelines. 2022 explanatory update; verify current licensed introductory instructions. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  117. CMS — Medicare NCCI 2026 Chapter V: Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Hemic and Lymphatic Systems. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  118. CMS — Medicare NCCI 2026 Chapter VI: Digestive System. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  119. CMS — Transmittal 13921: Colorectal Cancer Screening / CR14581. Issued August27/2026; effective June8/2026; implementation January4/2027. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  120. American College of Surgeons — Frequently Asked Questions about CPT Coding: Anterior Abdominal Hernia Documentation. December4/2024 explanatory article; current licensed entries required. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  121. CMS — Medicare NCCI 2026 Chapter VII: Urinary, Genital and Maternity Services. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  122. American Medical Association — FAQs: CPT 2027 Maternity Care Services code changes — 2026 transition. 2026 care under 2026 rules; revised framework effective January1/2027. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  123. American Medical Association — AMA modernizes maternity care coding to reflect today’s obstetric care. Change effective January1/2027. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  124. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Payment for Obstetric Services. 2026 transition recommendations and January1/2027 change. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  125. CMS — Medicare NCCI 2026 Chapter VIII: Nervous, Eye and Auditory Systems. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  126. American Thyroid Association — Thyroid Surgery. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  127. CMS — Medicare NCCI 2026 Chapter IX: Radiology. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  128. Ohio Health Information Management Association — Radiology Coding with contrast — Dianna Foley. Historical route explanation; current licensed entry required. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  129. American Society for Radiation Oncology — Major Radiation Oncology Code Changes in 2026. Winter2026; effectiveJanuary1/2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  130. American Society for Radiation Oncology — 2026 Radiation Treatment Delivery Updates: Letter to Medicaid Programs. 2026 implementation. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  131. CMS — Medicare NCCI 2026 Chapter X: Pathology and Laboratory. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  132. CMS — CLIA Program and Medicare Laboratory Services. March 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  133. CMS — Medicare Claims Processing Manual Chapter 16: Laboratory Services. Current consolidated manual accessed September 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  134. CMS — Lab Test Order Requirements. Page modified November 25, 2025. Accessed 2026-09-10.
  135. CMS — Medicare NCCI 2026 Chapter XI: Medicine and E/M. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  136. Noridian Healthcare Solutions — Billing and Coding: Hydration Services (A54635). Revision September 25, 2025. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  137. CMS — Medicare Claims Processing Manual Chapter 4. Current consolidated manual accessed September 2026. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  138. CMS — Medicare Claims Processing Manual Chapter 5. Current consolidated manual accessed September 2026. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  139. American College of Emergency Physicians — Moderate Sedation FAQ. Current page accessed September 2026. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  140. CMS / Medicare.gov — Medical nutrition therapy services. Current page accessed September 2026. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  141. CMS / Medicare.gov — Diabetes self-management training. Current page accessed September 2026. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  142. CMS — Medicare Coverage Determination Process. Current public guidance accessed September2026. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  143. CMS — Medicare Coverage Document Type Descriptions. Current public guidance accessed September2026. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  144. CMS — Medicaid NCCI Methodologies. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  145. CMS — Medicare Claims Processing Manual Chapter30: Financial Liability Protections. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  146. CMS — PFS Look-up Tool Overview. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  147. CMS — CY2026 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule Fact Sheet. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  148. HHS OCR — Summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  149. CMS — Medicare Fraud and Abuse: Prevent, Detect, Report — April2026. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  150. MDHHS — Michigan Medicaid Provider Manual — July1,2026. July–September2026. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  151. MDHHS — MDHHS MMP26-31: CPT and HCPCS Code Updates. July–September2026. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  152. CDC NCHS — ICD-10-CM April1,2026 Index and Tabular XML. April1–September30,2026. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  153. AAPC — At-home exam preparation. Public guidance accessed September 12, 2026; appointment-specific recheck required. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  154. AAPC — At-home and testing-center examinee checklists. Public guidance accessed September 12, 2026; appointment-specific recheck required. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  155. AAPC — Certification Exam and Membership Pricing. Public guidance accessed September 12, 2026; appointment-specific recheck required. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  156. AAPC — Continuing Education Unit Policy. Public guidance accessed September 12, 2026; appointment-specific recheck required. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  157. AAPC — Locate a testing center. Public guidance accessed September 12, 2026; appointment-specific recheck required. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  158. American Medical Association — 2023 E/M descriptors and guidelines — historical foundation for the two-of-three rule. 2023 foundational rule, corroborated by January 2026 AMA FAQ; not a 2026 descriptor reference. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  159. American Society of Anesthesiologists — Billing and Coding for Labor Analgesia: FAQs. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  160. American Society of Anesthesiologists — Coding and Billing for Labor Epidurals. January 2022 foundation, read with July 2026 update. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  161. American Society of Anesthesiologists — Qualifying circumstances: coding context and payment advocacy. Current public guidance accessed September 2026; exact entries require current CPT. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  162. Yuliia V. Lysanets and Olena M. Bieliaieva / Journal of Medical Case Reports — The use of Latin terminology in medical case reports — Table 2. 2018; established medical plural forms. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  163. CMS — Transitional Care Management Services, MLN908628. August 2025 booklet linked by the current CMS publication page. Accessed 2026-09-12.
  164. UnitedHealthcare Commercial and Individual Exchange — Care Plan Oversight Policy, Professional, 2026R0033A. June2026; UnitedHealthcare Commercial/Individual Exchange policy only. Accessed 2026-09-12.