Eddie
Guest
I am taking my CPC exam on August 22nd and need some pointers on what to study for and what to expect. Any suggestion will be appreciate.
Many Thanks,
Eddie
Many Thanks,
Eddie
I wrote in my books ... and still do. But they are small notations to help me remember things. For example when I was taking the CPC I wrote "3of3" in red next to every E/M that requires ALL three elements be met. (I no longer need this reminder so haven't written it down in several years.)
I wrote "add mesh if used" next to 49560 thru 49566 as they are the only hernia codes with which we can use +49568.
I wrote the vertebrae of the spine down the spine of my CPT book next to the spinal instrumentation codes C1 down to L5 ... this, so I wouldn't have to go look them up in another part of the book.
But there were many pages with nothing written on them. You do NOT need a full audit form for the CPC exam. You DO need to know how to determine the level of history (but that's already in the guidelines). If you are taking the CEMC exam you are allowed (and in fact NEED) to bring along both 1995 and 1997 audit tools.
So you CAN write whatever you want ... including your grandmother's special meatball recipe or your Christmas card list. But it's probably best to write only those things that will actually help you.
F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CEMC
you know, I just have to say - all this talk about "write whatever you can in your books - you can't have notes attached in any way, but you can write whatever you want so write it all done"....well.....
I have to say I disagree with that advice (in a BIG way) and actually, I'm quite curious about the people who DID write stuff in their books - did you really refer to it, was it helpful?
When I took my CPC (years ago) I didn't write anything in any book.
When I took my CPC-H (this year), I admit I was bit nervous, so after all my studying, all my practice tests,...I thought, "this time" I'm writing things in my books. Things from the practice tests / studying that I thought might be helpful, that for one reason or another I couldn't retain. So, I wrote stuff in my book.
I never once, during the whole test refered to "my notes" in my books. ALL my answers to the test were found "IN THE BOOK"... not in my notes.. Not one answer on the test was answered by what I had written in my book.
ok.. so I passed my CPC test (no notes in the books), I passed my CPC-H test (with notes I NEVER referred to).. I wasted so much time worrying about what I might miss andwriting things in my book.
Think about it, really - the answers are already in the books! Why would we need to write anything else down? Why do we feel we need to add anything at all.......the answers are already there?
and of course - this is just my opinion - but I wouldn't waste my time (again) adding anything to the books - people get paid big bucks to make sure the info we need is already in them!
I wrote in my books ... and still do. But they are small notations to help me remember things. For example when I was taking the CPC I wrote "3of3" in red next to every E/M that requires ALL three elements be met. (I no longer need this reminder so haven't written it down in several years.)
I wrote "add mesh if used" next to 49560 thru 49566 as they are the only hernia codes with which we can use +49568.
I wrote the vertebrae of the spine down the spine of my CPT book next to the spinal instrumentation codes C1 down to L5 ... this, so I wouldn't have to go look them up in another part of the book.
But there were many pages with nothing written on them. You do NOT need a full audit form for the CPC exam. You DO need to know how to determine the level of history (but that's already in the guidelines). If you are taking the CEMC exam you are allowed (and in fact NEED) to bring along both 1995 and 1997 audit tools.
So you CAN write whatever you want ... including your grandmother's special meatball recipe or your Christmas card list. But it's probably best to write only those things that will actually help you.
F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CEMC
I am new to the AAPC and was wondering if someone could help me with a few questions. I recently took the CPC exam on the 1st of August and I did not pass. DOes anyone have advice on how to better myself? I did not find time to be a problem, but my weaknesses were in Anesthia, Evalution Management, and Surgery. Any advice on coding these sections? Also, does anyone know when there is another exam located in in Oklahoma? I need to sign up for the retake. Thanks and any advice is appreciated.
Just to clarify:Thanks for the kind words. Maybe I'm trying too hard to help those yet to take the exam, but what I suppose I'm trying to say in the end is that a lot of people here can give (and are giving) great advice. Clarifying or complementing points of advice is cool....stomping on one's suggestions is not.
Sorry if I offended anyone in my previous post; was earnestly trying to help, but maybe went a little overboard...
Just to clarify:
I was not "stomping on one's suggestions". I was requesting clarification regarding the writing of notes in your code books, as I indicated this was expressly forbidden when I took the exam. I was indicating that it might be wise to check on this as I had not heard it was now allowed. Do not take offense so quickly as we all use these forums to learn and pass on valuable information. You skill and expertise is recognized and I never questioned that. I am sorry if you were offended.
10 things you can do:
1. Bring two drinks, and even a small amount of food (if allowed), if you're hungry.
2. Take practice exams before the real thing. It'll give you a good idea how to pace yourself over the 5½ hours - more beneficial than doing simulated questions.
3. Try to eliminate one or two answers right away. Then find dx or procedure codes in the remaining answers that don't fit the question. That helps a lot, trust me. It's multiple choice, so the correct answer is there! Trust yourself...
4. Don't get flustered if you look at the first few questions and lose it. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and go to some questions in sections you're good at. Build momentum.
5. Check the clock after 50 questions - if you're under 110 minutes, you're fine. If you're over 110 minutes, you need to pick up the pace.
6. Write as much as possible in your manuals before the exam. If necessary, go to the library for an afternoon (to avoid distractions) and put things in your manuals, like: An audit sheet, insurance information, terminology, fill out your anatomy plates in front of the cpt, summaries from carol buck's book (if applicable), and so on...
7. Highlight judiciously. Don't paint your manuals yellow; that will do more harm than good.
8. Try to get up early on exam day and have a breakfast, including coffee. Better to walk in already awake and functioning, than dragging and hurrying.
9. The night before, relax. Don't cram - if you don't know it the night before, it's already too late. Kick back and watch tv, or do something relaxing.
10. Know your guidelines, or at least, highlight the important parts of the guidelines for each section. Everyone says that for good reason; some questions will likely bring guidelines into play.
Also check out the student forum; lots of threads there giving advice.
Good luck!