Hi,
I forgot to ask where did you take your class?
jane
I am taking my class with Allied and it is located on the West coast so I have a time issue with reaching people early in the day. If you don't mind me asking, how did you find them (AAPC)? I might check into their classes as well.
If there are 150 questions and you have 4 hours to complete try to set a goal to finish in 3 hours and divide 3 hours by 4 and you get 4 forty-five minute segments. Write down when you should be done with 1/4 of the questions, then 1/2, 3/4 and so forth.
Like this: 8:00 - 8:45 questions 1-38
8:45 - 10:30 questions 39-75
10:30 - 11:15 questions 76-113
11:15 -1200 questions 114-150
That way if you are still on question 12 and it is 9:45 you are going too slow. But if you are on track then you can go back and review that last hour...write down on scrap paper the number of the questions that are difficult. Don't change unless you are sure your first instincts are usually right
Thank you,
The AAPC has a web site www.appc.com on their site you will find 3 different ways to take their course. Are you already working as a coder somewhere? I live on the east coast. I completed the AAPC program in may and have been working doing an externship since I finished school. I took the exam 1 week ago. Are you coding the professional , hospital, or payor? Have you already taken the test? If so did you pass the first time? I had never even seen a code before taking the AAPC program. I have been working in the medical field for 24 years though that helped me with the anatomy, and medical terminology side of this...... I will do some practice exams and try your advise, I'll let you know how it works for me.
While taking the test, if a question seems too hard at the moment, skip it and move on..you can go back to it later. You don't want to spend too much time searching for an answer for a question you found difficult and then not have time to answer questions further on The further questions which may have been simple for you. (Not answered counts as incorrect.)
When abstracting from documentation underline or highlight key words in the documentation. That will help make the key procedures or services stand out and help you to code for all that was described.
Prior to the test, go through your CPT book and highlight things in the code descriptors such as: "includes" , "each", "per hour", "see also", etc. Do each in a different color highlighter, When taking the test the highlighted notes will stand out and jog your memory. You may also want to highlight some parts of the guidelines in the sections before the code groups. Example: under Repair-Simple, you'd highlight "Sum of lengths of repairs for each group..."
You are allowed to add "working notes" ..which means you can add little notations by codes such as "see guidelines pg.0" or "see medicine section also" or "check code xxx.x for imaging", etc.
You may want to add tabs which indicate specific sections in your book, such as "Neoplasm Table", or "Repairs", or "Modifiers", etc. which will help you turn to the correct section quicker.
No I haven't taken "THE TEST". I have been working on the final coding chapters. The terminology and anatomy I understood. I just don't get the coding, and I don't know what or how to get past it. I might check into the www.aapc.com and see what I might can take from there on-line. I live in Florida - just south of Jacksonville.
How is your internship working out? I am not working as a coder yet. I am working full time and trying to study when I can.
Hi Barb,
Thank you for the advise. I found that I have a true phobia to time testing..... I go blank and had such trouble getting started. I'm trying to do some time tests now, by the different sections. of a 2007 test I printed up from ericas web site. I had learned the highlighting and the tabing while taking the aapc on line study program. which was helpful. In talking to others I found myself coding off the sheet instead of doing my own coding which was taking me 4 times as long, ( 4 different answers on the test ) while practicing i'm trying to code myself then check their answers. I'm sure the highlighting of a procedure note for specific words will help me, that is a really good idea. rather then rereading the note over and over. I will try all your ideas thanks again sue
How long have you been coding. I have been reading your responses to other quesions on this site and you seem soooo knowledgable. I have a whole lot of respect for all the coders, how smart they all are. I aspire to be 1/2 as good some day.
Hi Jane,
I have never heard of the school you are taking courses at. Do they have lectures on line? Do they test you as you go along? My externship is going well, they have me coding er v/s on the physician side of things. I'm learning a lot. what type of work do you do right now? are you in the medical field? I would be glad to go over the small amt I know with you if you ever want to chat. I don't know everything but I know how to look up codes. As I had told you in previous, I sometimes don't understand what i'm doing wrong ie. in the test approach. and it sometimes takes just a small mention of something to trigger an ahha moment. You knew how to approach a time test which is a large part of the battle for me..... If I can help let me know! sue
I've been coding for just over 12 years now. Changed careers mid-life. I took classes through a Community College at night while working full time. Have my HIT and was to sit for the RHIT exam, however I ended up working at a physicians office. Same codes different applications. Ended up sitting for my CPC exam from AAPC instead. (Back then they didn't have the CCS-P through AHIMA.) Since then I've gotten certified in dermatology (CDC) and also through ACMCS (PCS).
I'm now working as a Compliance Reviewer/Auditor for a large multi-specialty group. The Reviewers each have their own specialties that we're responsible for. (I'm responsible for Behavioral Health, Ortho., Sports Medicine, Dermatology, and Podiatry .)
Our providers code and we answer questions and keep them informed of changes. We do orientations when a provider joins the group and are responsible for teaching them basic coding if they don't have the knowledge. (Some get coding skills through medical school now days.) We audit to make sure they are coding what they are doing correctly, etc. We also help the coders work any denials or insurance questions they get, etc. We write any appeal letters.
The Coding Department fills any openings with employees from within the system. Mainly people who've received coding background from the technical college and are working in other parts of the clinic. (I started out in Medical Records as a clerk as there were no Coding positions open. When a coder position opened, I applied and was moved to Coding.) Once hired, a Coding Associate has to obtain their CPC in a year. (We help mentor, etc. and coach for exams.) As positions above open, the coders can advance within the department. I moved up to Reviewer status six years ago.
I too get test anxiety. Try to remember that this is just a test of your current knowledge. Don't give up. Remember, when you apply for a position they ask if you have your credentials, they don't ask how many times you had to take a test to get them. That may help relieve the pressure you're feeling. You'll find that if you don't pass the first time, you'll have a better understanding of what's coming the next time and can be better prepared. It used to be that almost half of those who took the exam for their CPC didn't pass the first time. It's a comprehensive test...it needs to be to mean anything for credentials.
(I also think that the longer you work in coding before taking the test, the harder it can be, The test is straight CPT. The real world of coding is not. Every insurance carrier has their own adaptation of guidelines and rules for claim submission. Sometimes I think there are more exceptions than original rules.)
Keep the thought of starting out in a different position, not coding, within a clinic, insurance company, or hospital as an option when you job hunt. Most companies open coding positions and other positions to employees first. So you've got to get your foot into the door, so to speak. Take advantage of your areas AAPC local chapter. Most let students attend some meetings and not require them to join (pay dues). Check out your local hospital's and clinic's libraries. They usually carry the monthly coding magazines from AAPC and AHIMA. They are good about letting people come in and read them That gives you insight on what's going on in coding. Check out your areas CMS carrier. They have web sites which offer coding information. It's helpful and when you go for an interview, you'll be familiar with claims submission to them You can ask specific questions to the interviewer about how they're handing the changes. You'' be an informed applicant.
Hang in there. You'll do well. It's an interesting profession always changing and new opportunities opening.