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BMSC FAQs

To take your exam at a computer-based testing center or with a remote proctor:

Register online here.

Note: Before registering for remote testing, please make certain your system is compatible with the testing application before you register. Visit https://rpcandidate.prometric.com/ to perform a system readiness check. If your system is NOT compatible with the testing application at your remote location, you will need to register or change your scheduled exam to a computer-based testing center. Fees may apply to changing and rescheduling your exam. Visit https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/fees for more information.

Important: If you are considering remote testing, be sure your testing environment is ready. Read more here.

 

  1. Visit  https://proscheduler.prometric.com/scheduling/searchAvailability.
  2. Select HCPro, LLC from the Select a Sponsor drop-down menu.
  3. Select Association of Homecare Coding & Compliance from the Select a Program drop-down menu.
  4. Select the exam you wish to sit for from the Select a Test drop-down menu.
  5. Click the right arrow to advance to the Search Availability page.
  6. Enter your preferred location and date range to find a test center near you, then click the right arrow to advance. Here you will see a list of available locations and testing dates.
  1. Visit  https://proscheduler.prometric.com/scheduling/searchAvailability.
  2. Select HCPro, LLC from the Select a Sponsor drop-down menu.
  3. Select Association of Homecare Coding & Compliance from the Select a Program drop-down menu.
  4. Select the exam you wish to sit for from the Select a Test drop-down menu.
  5. Click the right arrow to advance to the Search Availability page.
  6. Enter your preferred location and date range to find a test center near you, then click the right arrow to advance. Here you will see a list of available locations and testing dates.

 

Register for the exam and click Yes for ADA accommodations. You will receive an email from AHCC asking you to complete an ADA request for accommodations form. BMSC will review the ADA form and supporting documentation, and if the accommodations are approved, you will receive instructions for scheduling your exam.

Note: It could take up to 2 weeks for the review and approval process.

Yes, you can take an exam remotely at your home or office or at an international computer-based testing center, if the AHCC exam is available at that location. There is an additional international seat fee that applies in addition to the exam fee. Please visit, https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/fees, for the international fees.

Note: If you wish to take your exam at an international computer-based testing center, see the note below.

After you have completed the exam registration form here: https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/register/, please call customer service at 1-800-650-6787 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time) to make the exam fee payment. You will receive an email with instructions for scheduling the exam at the international Prometric testing center in 3 business days.

Note: Check to see if there is an international testing location near you before registering for an exam at a computer-based testing center:

  1. Visit  https://proscheduler.prometric.com/scheduling/searchAvailability.
  2. Select HCPro, LLC from the Select a Sponsor drop-down menu.
  3. Select Association of Homecare Coding & Compliance from the Select a Program drop-down menu.
  4. Select the exam you wish to sit for from the Select a Test drop-down menu.
  5. Click the right arrow to advance to the Search Availability page.
  6. Enter your preferred location and date range to find a test center near you, then click the right arrow to advance. Here you will see a list of available locations and testing dates.

Candidates registered for AHCC exams have 90 days from the day they register to take an initial or retake exam. Your registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

If you reschedule or cancel your appointment 5-29 days prior to your test date, you will be charged a $35 fee. 

Cancellations made 7-29 business days prior to a scheduled exam date at a Prometric testing center or by remote proxy are subject to a $35 service fee. Registrants who do not report for the exam at the testing center or by remote proxy or are over 30 minutes late to a scheduled test and are not admitted, and who do not cancel at least 5 business days before their scheduled exam date are liable for the full registration fee. Contact customer service to cancel an exam at 1-800-650-6787 or customerservice@hcpro.com.

The most successful credential candidates have on-the-job experience, have attended coding or OASIS training events, and have followed a course of self-study. See the Candidate Handbook for more detail about the eligibility and qualifications we recommend for each exam.

We also recommend the following study guides to help you prepare for your respective exam(s):  

Yes, the candidate handbook contains all the information you will need to understand and prepare for an AHCC exam. 

Please visit https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/bmsc-exam-information to see what materials are allowed when taking your exam. Scroll down the page to “Allowed materials” and under the exam you will see the allowed materials for the specific certification exam. This information is also in the Candidate Handbook. By scheduling an AHCC exam you are acknowledging you have read and agree to the Allowable Resources.

This information is on the AHCC website at https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/bmsc-exam-information.

The passing score for the HCS-D exam is 76%.
The passing score for the HCS-O exam is 76%.
The passing score for the HCS-H exam is 75%.

Please note that the passing rate of each exam may change with the updated exams every year.

To learn more about the core competencies each certification tests, see the Candidate Handbook.

You can access the AHCC job board by visiting and logging in to the AHCC website at https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/, and hovering over “Membership” and then clicking on “Career Center” from the home page.

Remote online proctoring allows candidates to take the exam from the comfort of their own home, but be warned: You will be under the supervision of a proctor who will insist on a full inspection of your testing environment. Our best recommendation is to spend the time reading this document and reviewing the video and materials here.

Among the noteworthy requirements:

  • You will need a very clean, clutter free workplace free of all pictures, books (except allowed resources), papers, etc. This includes second monitors, and more.
  • Your person will be inspected (sleeves, any areas where clothing could have pockets, behind your ears for possible Bluetooth devices, etc.)
  • Your desk and chair will be inspected
  • Make sure you have your exam number and a driver’s license or other ID with a photo
  • Make sure the name on your ID matches the name used to register for the exam

Please read the remote proctoring document linked above to avoid surprises.

If you passed your exam, you’ll receive*:

  • A congratulatory letter;
  • A frameable certificate acknowledging the credential earned and date of certification and
  • A BMSC lapel pin

These items will be sent via USPS within 6 weeks of taking the exam.

 * Certificate and pin mailed to US addresses only.​ Printable certificate available in the CEU Tracker.

You will receive a score report identifying how you performed in each competency area. For more information about how the exams are scored, see the Candidate Handbook. To protect the integrity of the examination, AHCC cannot release a candidate’s specific answers to questions on any certification examination, nor will BMSC discuss rationale for specific correct answers to examination questions.

If you did not pass your exam, you’ll receive:

  • An email stating that you were not successful in your attempt to earn the BMSC credential.
  • A score report identifying how you performed in each competency area.
  • Instructions on how to register to retake the exam.

Your score report will be emailed to you once you complete your exam. If you misplace or can't find this email, you can also view your score report online.

To view your score report:

1. Visit https://scorereports.prometric.com/. 

2. Enter the confirmation number from your appointment confirmation email, your last name, and then follow the instructions to access your score report.

 

You may have to wait up to 7 business days after you’ve taken your initial exam to schedule a retake. You have 90 days from your initial exam date to retake the exam. Once you see the Retake option in the CEU Tracker, you may register for your retake exam. Contact customer service at 1-800-650-6787 or customerservice@hcpro.com if the retake option is not available in the CEU Tracker after 7 days.

Please note: This also applies to any additional retakes after the first retake exam.

 

 

There is no retake form. To register for your retake exam:

  1. Visit https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/.
  2. Click the “Login” button at the top right-hand corner of the page and log in.
  3. Click the “CEU Tracker” button.
  4. Select the certification exam you wish to retake and click “Retake Now” in the tracker. After you have registered and paid for the retake exam fee, you will receive a confirmation email. Once you receive the confirmation email, you can schedule your retake examination at any Prometric testing center.

Remember! You may need to wait up to 7 business days after you’ve taken your initial exam to schedule a retake. This also applies to any additional retakes after the first retake exam. Once you see the Retake option in the CEU Tracker, you may register for your retake exam. Contact customer service at 1-800-650-6787 or customerservice@hcpro.com if the retake option is not available in the CEU Tracker after 7 days.

You must earn twenty (20) CEUs between the anniversary date and expiration date of your current credential cycle before you can recertify. To recertify you must:

  • Earn ten (10) of the required CEUs by completing your mandatory annual home health coding, OASIS, hospice coding, or home health compliance self-assessments. To view instructions for accessing self-assessments, visit https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/maintaining-your-credentials. CEUs earned from self-assessments are loaded into your tracker by AHCC within three (3) business days.
  • Earn the remaining 10 or more CEUs by participating in accepted and qualified CEU activities. Document that activity in your CEU tracker. Make sure to keep any documentation of CEUs for at least one year for auditing purposes.

Self-assessments are two, fifteen (15) question quizzes that test a certification holder on the most up-to-date information for home health coding, OASIS, hospice coding, or home health compliance. Completing the two self-assessments provides proof of up-to-date training and demonstrates continued competence in home health coding, OASIS accuracy, hospice coding, or home health compliance.

Yes, your AHCC credential (HCS-C, HCS-D, HCS-H, and/or HCS-O) requires an annual recertification to remain active. You must fulfill your annual recertification requirements and submit the applicable fee before your credential expires in order to maintain certification.

Recertification of your credential requires that you earn twenty (20) CEUs between the anniversary date and expiration date of your current credential cycle and paying your recertification fee by your expiration date. These dates are found in your CEU Tracker.

To recertify you must:

  • Earn ten (10) or more CEUs by participating in accepted and qualified CEU activities and document that activity in your CEU Tracker. Make sure to keep any documentation of CEUs for at least one year for auditing purposes.
  • Earn ten (10) of the required CEUs by completing your mandatory annual home health coding, OASIS, hospice coding, or home health compliance self-assessments. CEUs earned from self-assessments are loaded into your tracker by BMSC within three (3) business days. Please keep this in mind as you are responsible for starting your recertification process early enough to meet the required deadlines. Please keep the self-assessment CEU certificates for your records, in case you are audited.
  • Pay your recertification fee by clicking the “Recertify Now” button on your CEU tracker after you have completed your twenty (20) CEUs.

Yes, you have 90 days from the expiration date of your credential to fulfill the recertification requirements. Any recertifications submitted within the 90 days after the credential expires will be subject to a 15% late fee in addition to the recertification fee. Note that 90 days after a credential expires it will be revoked and cannot be recertified.

No, there are only four instances in which the Appeal form will be reviewed. Certification holders and candidates can request a BMSC review of decisions made or actions taken related to the following four situations only:

  • Test administration
  • Test results
  • Certification status (censure, suspension, revocation)
  • Denial of continuing education credits

Click on the “CEU Tracker” button at the top right-hand corner on the AHCC website (https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/),and log in to your account.

Visit the maintaining your credentials page of the AHCC website at https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/maintaining-your-credentials. Under the “Accessing Your Self-Assessments” section, please read and follow the instructions.

CEUs must be earned within your current recertification cycle and must be relevant to your specialty credential. For more information on what types of educational activities qualify, visit the AHCC’s website section on “Qualifying Continuing Education Activities” by hovering over the “Certification and Training” drop-down tab. The direct link is https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/qualifying-continuing-education-activities. This information is also in the Candidate Handbook. All CEUs submitted must meet the qualifications outlined here. Please keep the self-assessment CEU certificates for your records, in case you are audited. 

Please note: AHCC cannot approve CEUs for a non-AHCC event if CEUs were not offered by the sponsoring organization or individual.

The education event sponsor must offer CEUs at the time of the event. You should have a certificate of completion from the education sponsor indicating the number of earned CEUs, the education title, your name and the date of the education. Education topics should directly relate to your certification.

AHCC cannot approve CEUs for an education activity if the original event sponsor did not provide CEUs. If the education activity meets these requirements, enter the earned CEUs in your tracker and retain your certificate of completion for your records in case you are selected for a random audit. 

For a list of the types of educational activities that qualify for CEUs, visit the AHCC website section on “Qualifying Continuing Education Activities” at https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/qualifying-continuing-education-activities. This information is also in the Candidate Handbook.

All AHCC members can earn one CEU each month by taking a monthly quiz based on the AHCC Insider ezine content. Visit the Publications page, https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/publications/, to find a link to your available CEU quizzes.

You can enter your email in the Login screen at https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/Login, click on the “Forgot password” link, and your password will be sent to your email. Please make sure you are entering the email that is associated with your AHCC membership.

If you are still having trouble logging in, please email Customer Service at customerservice@hcpro.com or call 1-800-650-6787 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time).

You can reset your password by entering your User Name. Visit https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/Login. In the Login screen, click on the “Forgot password” link. The email to reset your password will be sent to the email that is associated with your AHCC membership.

You can check most of your information by logging into your AHCC account at https://ahcc.decisionhealth.com/. At the top right-hand corner of the page, click “My Account.” You can reset your password by clicking the button in your account information. If you need to update your email address and/or other personal information, please email Customer Service at customerservice@hcpro.com or call 1-800-650-6787 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time).