Note from the Certification Coordinator: Commonly heard recertification questions and comments

By Penny Richards

While there is a wealth of information related to the Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS) and CCDS-Outpatient credential programs available on the ACDIS website, I get a few questions repeatedly. Usually, these questions come from folks who are up for recertification for the very first time who are nervous and in need of some assistance. Here are a few of the more frequently asked questions. I hope it helps make your recertification process a bit smoother.

Q: I thought I paid my recertification fee when I renewed my ACDIS membership.

A: Sorry, no, recertification is not paid through your ACDIS membership. Certification is separate from ACDIS membership. You do not need to be an ACDIS member to hold your certification and having your certification does not automatically make you an ACDIS member. We have many CCDS holders who are not ACDIS members. If you are an ACDIS member, you do get $100 off the regular recertification fee of $200.

Additionally, there are separate fees for the exam and your recertification.

Q: When is my recertification due?

A: It is always due on the two-year anniversary of the date you took the exam. If you don’t have your certificate or the confirmation letter from your last recertification, you can check  your due date on the ACDIS website. The list on the website is updated monthly.

Q: Okay, I know when it’s due, but when can I submit my paperwork?

A: You may submit your paperwork up to 60 days before the due date. For example, if your due date is November 1, you may submit any time after September 1.

Q: Do I have to send copies of the CEU certificates with my recert application?

A: No, you do not have the send copies—but you should hold onto the certificates until you receive your confirmation letter in case you are selected at random for an audit. Once you receive your confirmation letter , you can recycle the paperwork.

Q: Do you have a CEU tracker?
A: Not yet, but one is coming very soon! And we’re very excited! We’ve been campaigning for this for a long time and it’s finally about to happen! Stand by for that announcement in the very near future.

Q: One more thing—how do you pronounced “ACDIS?”

A: Easy! It’s “AK-DIS.”  That’s the “K” sound as in Kansas, kiss, kind, kayak, or kangaroo. It is not pronounced “A-CEED-IS.” We cringe when people say that. Not the “CEE” sound as in cement, circular, ceremony, civilized, or cellular.

What else do you need to know? Just ask me!

Editor’s note: Richards is the certification coordinator for ACDIS. Contact the Certification Office at certifications@hcpro.com.