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Any proctors here for CPC or CCS exam? - coding student

Posted: Jan 05, 2013

There is a current discussion on another forum about marking up code books in order to prepare for credentialing exams. (e.g., http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAtTrYGyPas) There seem to be many people on the AAPC forums, as well as others, who have been able to take the exams with many notes in their coding books.

How much is too much? I've read through the guidelines and websites for both exams and know that we cannot tape notes into our books or anything. I have made no notations so far, being nervous about disqualifying my books. I'd really like to employ that bubble and highlight tecnique, though, as a way to get even more familiar with my coding books before the exams.

Am I missing a more detailed explanation somewhere? Where else can I look for further clarification? Thank you for any guidance.

Marking code books - Have proctored CPC

[ In Reply To ..]
What you see on the websites in the exam guidelines is what it is. If you found the right place, there is nothing more.

Both organizations allow you to write in your code books. Their requirements are slightly different, though. Make sure whatever you do meets both sets of rules.

In general, you can write WORKING notes. Info you need at work as you code, in other words. Minimal notes.

You cannot copy guidelines and rules into your books, or whole passages of textbooks, or anything a proctor will think is excessive.

Proctors for the exams are local AAPC members for AAPC exams, but paid employees of a commercial testing firm for AHIMA exams. AAPC proctors write in their own books and know what working notes look like. I have seen them look at a candidate's book that is so highlighted the pages have warped, sigh, get another proctor to look, both of them roll their eyes, and sometimes grudgingly allow the book and other times disallow it. They might have a spare book you can use.

AHIMA proctors work for a company that hosts many exams. They may not have had a coding candidate before. They have no idea how to evaluate books. For one of my exams, I had to ask them to call AHIMA before they would let me use books at all. Then it took several of them to read their instructions and figure out if I could write in my books at all.

It is fine to write minimal notes, but do so in light pencil so it does not appear to be a lot or attract attention. Avoid highlighting so much that the pages bleed and buckle--that makes using the book harder. Use bible highlighters that do not seep through the thin paper. Sharpie Accent Liquid Liners also do not bleed. Highlight minimally . . . more than that just doesn't help.

It is natural to want to do everything you can to pass. However, the main goal here is to actually learn to code . . . not to employ sneaky methods that may or may not ensure passing and then be stuck still not being able to code. If you are spending a lot of time trying to find ways to, basically, cheat legally on these exams, you might want to stop and think about why you think spending time on that is important but studying is not.

That being said, there is an easy answer to your question. If you must write so much that you fear being disqualified, just bring a duplicate set of unmarked code books with you. Borrow them from the library or a friend, or buy them. If writing in your books is worth that expense . . .

My guess is that the nifty bubbling and highlighting methods work because they get you to actually look at the code book. They get you to read it and review, and actually SEE the structure and layout. That helps you learn--it is studying, but you'll do it because it is slightly devious and, in your case, something your school did not teach so it is forbidden fruit.

Thanks - coding student

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you for this thoughtful answer. Nah, I'm not looking to be sneaky or devious. I'm an Andrews student that has worked very hard and tried my best to learn how to be a great coder. I have kept some notes throughout my course on post-it notes in my books and was honestly not sure if they would be ok to include (in light pencil) in my coding books for the exam. Purely as timesavers or to build confidence.

For instance, the anesthesiology formula in the guidelines section for anesthesiology. I know it, but sometimes it is just comforting to see it. Isn't that silly? I did the same thing with math formulas when I took math exams in college.

I also have notes on the E/M MDM table, notes on alternate names for procedures, and commonly used modifiers for different sections.

Again, I know all of this information. I expect that the people who designed the exam aren't testing to see if I know how to find a code. They are testing to see if I know how to apply the correct set of codes, in correct order, to a unique situation.

The guidelines are all there in my books, so there is no point in rewriting a bunch of text.

I'm in the process of buying new coding books for 2013, so perhaps I'll let myself go a little wild marking up my 2012 books as I study.

I just want my coding work to be absolutely perfect with no mistakes. In my working life, I tend to underline and makes notes. I am a visual person, so I also make flow charts for myself out of the different guidelines. Helps me agonize a little less over answers. LOL

Thanks for your reply to this nervous student. There is so much riding on my not only passing these exams, but being able to perform extremely well in my career as a coder. I really appreciate the time that you took to respond.

Those kinds of notes are legitimate working aids. - Me again

[ In Reply To ..]
Those types of notations should be fine. A flow chart you created, a couple of valid modifiers, alternative names (don't forget to put them in the index, too), etc. Just write them in quietly and discretely, and it should be fine. You can actually write quite a bit.

Some things I highlight . . . key words in a parent code and in the codes that are indented under it, so I can see them easily, like those GI codes that have an endoscopy followed by variations on it, and a note saying you can use more than one. Also indications for which codes go with other ones if, say, code A only goes with code G and H while code B goes with I and J, and a note to remember to code the rad S&I. In ICD-9, I always ALWAYS always mark off the ENTIRE family history section, since it sits right in the middle of the personal history section and is a famous source of errors. (Find the first entry for History, family, and mark from there to the end of History, family. Be very careful to be sure you have the right ones, as it extends over many columns and the end is hard to find. Mark it with stickies first, then check it, then make a single highlighter line down the left side of the columns.)

Yes, they will be testing to see if you can find codes. There will be questions involving notorious codes that are "hard to find." Coming from Andrews you won't have much difficulty with that--you will be good at it, so you think it is a no-brainer. (You would be amazed at how many coders think diabetes and hypertension are difficult, not to mention how many code from a cheat sheet.)

Be aware that the tests will use 2012 books until the test can be rewritten for 2013. That can take up to March or even June. Also be aware that the ICD-9 code set changed negligibly for 2013, so they might let candidates use 2012 longer.

Something else . . . everything written in your books that you grow dependent upon has to be copied into your new books each year.

You also need to keep your old books for several years to code old claims or correct them, figure out when a code changed, etc. Don't trash them too soon!

Great points- thanks! - coding student

[ In Reply To ..]
The CCS exam alone is so expensive (no re-takes, either). I will be very careful! Thank you for the great tips.

Marking - During

[ In Reply To ..]
I just want to say that you barely will have time to read your notes during the exam. I think if you mark them to reinforce your learning as you are studying and when you look up the code your note is there and sparks that extra knowledge you need, fine, but as far as reading notes in order to answer a question on an exam, it just isn't practical. The clock is ticking and I found I barely had time to finish, let alone read any notes in my book! Good luck to you!

Thank you - coding student

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you for replying. That's exactly what I'm expecting to happen to me! I'm so nervous and trying as hard as I can to memorize or at least become extremely familiar with all of the guidelines, as well as to know where everything is located like the back of my hand. Congratulations on finishing. It must feel wonderful to have accomplished sitting for your credentials! :)

OK, here is my opinion. - Taken 5 of those things

[ In Reply To ..]
Looked at the YouTube thing . . . that method of marking works because you have to study your book to draw circles around groups of similar codes that "go together." That forces you to read the codes and get them sorted out in your mind. It also gives you a visual key when you are rushing through a test. Making little indented notes helps, too. So does highlighting.

I do the same thing using a bracket to the left of the codes to help me see what goes together. Not a big ballpoint circle, but a pencil line with a little bracket at the ends. Lightly drawn.

Yes, write notes for "stents, blah, blah." Keep them brief and visual. Keep them light and discrete, not scrawled in dark ballpoint so they show up on TV. The key is that you have to figure out what to make notes about.

I will say this . . . CPC proctors probably won't have an issue with a book that looked like that, but if it were me I would not take it to an AHIMA test unless I had a clean spare in my car. Pearson proctors are humorless and unlikely to cut you any slack. And they are not coders. I think THAT amount of systematic-appearing writing would not go over well.

Thank you - coding student

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks so much! I will look again at everything you suggested.

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