Preparation for CDIP & CCDS Exams 

Who Can take this class: MD (US & IMGs), NP, PA, RN, LVN/LPN.

4-Week CDI Training Curriculum

Week 1: The Foundation of CDI & Reimbursement

• Introduction to CDI: The role of the CDI specialist, professional ethics, and the impact on patient care and hospital revenue.
• The IPPS System: How hospitals are paid (Inpatient Prospective Payment System) and the basics of MS-DRGs (Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Groups).
• Coding Basics for Clinicians: Introduction to ICD-10-CM and PCS; understanding “Clinical Language”
• Case Studies: Reviewing simple patient charts to identify the Principal Diagnosis (PDX).

Week 2: Advanced Clinical Indicators & Severity

• Complications & Comorbidities: Mastering CCs and MCCs (Major Comorbidities) to reflect patient complexity.
• Sepsis & Infectious Disease: Clinical vs. coding definitions of Sepsis 2 and Sepsis 3, and the documentation needed for causative organisms.
• Respiratory & Cardiac Focus: Documenting Acute Respiratory Failure, Pneumonia types, and CHF acuity (Systolic vs. Diastolic).
• SOI & ROM: Understanding Severity of Illness and Risk of Mortality metrics.

Week 3: The Query Process & Compliance

• The Art of the Query: How to write compliant, non-leading queries to physicians (written vs. verbal).
• Effective Communication: Strategies for MD/PA/NP engagement and overcoming “query fatigue.”
• HACs and PSIs: Identifying Hospital-Acquired Conditions and Patient Safety Indicators to prevent quality-score penalties.
• Present on Admission (POA): The importance of documenting conditions found in the ER versus those developed during the stay.

Week 4: Real-World Application & Career Launch

• Full Chart Reviews: End-to-end review of complex surgical and medical records using electronic health record (EHR) simulators.
• Denial Prevention: Documenting to defend against RAC (Recovery Audit Contractor) audits and insurance denials.
• CDI Metrics: Understanding your own performance through “CC/MCC Capture Rates” and “Query Response Rates.”
• Career Transition: Resume tailoring for CDI, interview prep for non-clinical roles, and networking in the CDI community.

Class Logistics Summary

• Schedule: 2 hours per day, 4 days per week.
• Structure: 45 mins Lecture / 45 mins Interactive Chart Review / 30 mins Live Query Workshop.
• Outcome: Readiness for entry-level CDI roles or preparation for the CCDS/CDIP apprentice exams.