The HCS-D credential is a demonstration of your coding proficiency. As you become more experienced in the practical requirements of home care coding, HCS-D certification can provide additional professional and personal recognition and reward. As the importance of accurate and specific diagnosis coding increases in the home health setting, HCS-D credential holders typically:

• Increase the value they bring to their agencies
• Are more highly compensated than their uncredentialled peers and receive greater advancement opportunities
• Have a competitive advantage when applying for jobs, and providers are increasingly requiring coding certification as a condition of employment

Are you ready to earn an HCS-D credential? Learn more about what it takes to become certified in our Candidate Handbook.

Home Care Coding Specialist – Diagnosis (HCS-D)

The Home Care Coding Specialist—Diagnosis (HCS-D) credential is earned by professionals skilled in classifying medical data from home health patient records. Coding specialists review patients' records and assign numeric codes for each diagnosis. Successful HCS-D candidates will possess expertise in the application of ICD-10-CM conventions and guidelines and should be knowledgeable in medical terminology, anatomy/physiology, disease processes, pathophysiology, and pharmacology.

HCS-D certified coders are considered leaders in the industry because they:

• Assess patient documentation
• Assign accurate diagnosis codes to maximize ethical reimbursement
• Collaborate with clinicians, physicians and/or managers/administrators
• Ensure that all activities are done in a legal and ethical manner that supports home health agency policy, regulatory and professional guidelines

Prepare for your HCS-D Certification

Make sure you have a solid foundation so you can face exam day with confidence. These resources will help you to refine your coding skills and prepare for the HCS-D exam.

		Step 1: The Complete Home Health ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding Manual, 2025 $219.00 Practice your coding and sit for your exam with the ICD-10 Coding manual Home Health coders rely on. This book is an allowed resource you can bring with you on test day. Learn More Add to Cart
		Step 2: Home Health ICD-10-CM Coding Assessment $99.00 Assess your home health ICD-10-CM coding knowledge, identify potential skills gaps, and pinpoint areas for further study. Learn More Add to Cart
		Step 3: Ultimate Coding & OASIS Training Virtual Series: ICD-10 Intermediate Coding $549.00 Give your coding a refresh with the ultimate ICD-10 Coding training course. This intermediate-level course covers all the most common home health diagnoses. Nail down sequencing challenges, master coding for complex situations, and hone your coding skills before you sit for your HCS-D certification exam. Learn More Add to Cart
		Step 4: DecisionHealth's Home Health ICD-10-CM Coding Answers, 2025 $189.00 Give your coding skills a workout with this must-have resource. Practice coding the most common and most complicated home health scenarios so you can apply your knowledge to real-life coding cases – and to your HCS-D exam. Learn More Add to Cart
		Step 5: Home Care Coding Specialist – Diagnosis (HCS-D) Certification Study Guide, 2025 $89.00 Review the key concepts you need to know before you sit for your HCS-D certification exam. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to feel confident on exam day, including tips and sample test questions created by AHCC Committee members. Learn More Add to Cart
		Step 6: HCS-D Exam Prep Bundle, 2025 $397.00 Count on the resources in this bundle to help you prepare for and take your HCS-D exam. Sit for the exam with the ICD-10 Coding manual Home Health coders rely on, The Complete Home Health ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding Manual, 2025. Practice your coding with DecisionHealth's Home Health ICD-10-CM Coding Answers, 2025. Prepare for the HCS-D exam with the Home Care Coding Specialist – Diagnosis (HCS-D) Certification Study Guide, 2025. Bundle these resources and save $100! Learn More Add to Cart

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the benefits to earning an HCS-D credential?
A: Earning an HCS-D credential can help you identify yourself as a leader and gain respect in your home care coding or clinical profession. Advanced certification also often produces higher salaries for home health coders and can help you work more effectively within your industry. Plus, the purchase of an AHCC exam includes a one year complimentary AHCC membership! To learn more about the AHCC Membership, please click here.

Q: How do I know if I’m qualified to take the HCS-D exam?
A: Learn more about the HCS-D credential and its qualifications in our Candidate Handbook.

Q: How should I prepare for the exam?
A: The most successful credential candidates have on-the-job experience, have attended coding training events, and have followed a course of self-study. See the Candidate Handbook for more detail about the eligibility and qualifications we recommend.

We also recommend the study guides on the Study Materials tab to help you prepare for your exam.

Q: How many days do I have to take the exam after I purchase it?
A: Candidates registered for AHCC exams have 90 days from the day they register to take an initial or retake exam. The fee for the certification application process and examination is $339.00. These fees are the same for both in-person examinations or via remote proctor. All fees are non-refundable.

For more information, please refer to the FAQ section on the AHCC website

Q: How can I recertify my AHCC credential?
A: Visit the AHCC website for more information about recertifying your credential. The recertification annual maintenance fee includes membership in the Association of Home Care Coding and Compliance.