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Donna,

That sounds like a wonderful idea - using a straight edge ruler, especially the ones with the magnifier built in. The print is very small in the ICD-10 book, and I've found myself squinting numerous times.

I wonder if it gets distracting in the exam room, with all those pages being turned quickly. Has anyone used earplugs during the exam?

Another thought that has crossed my mind - does anyone know if the test proctors will allow fingertip moistener in the exam room? You can purchase this at office supply stores. It comes in a little pot, like lip gloss. Sometimes those pages are hard to turn and I don't want to lick my fingertips during the exam - yuck!!

Best of luck on the exam,

Teri

I can't answer about the fingertip moistener, although I think that would be a good thing to email a proctor about once you've signed up for your test so you can find out in advance.  You *can* bring beverages, so if you bring a partially-frozen water bottle, it should sweat enough through the whole test to run your fingers over instead, if they won't allow the little pot of moistener!

One thing to keep in mind if you plan to buy bundles of code books from anywhere, AAPC or otherwise, is that the versions of books that are allowed on the CPC may differ from versions allowed on the CCS.  If you're updating your books for one of the exams but planning to take both, I would check both organizations' allowable book lists before purchasing anything to make sure the versions you're getting will be allowed in both exams! 

The versions we use in the course are permitted on both exams, but you won't find them in a convenient bundle to purchase anywhere.

-Glenda

Ear plugs, on one reading I did recently the person advised using ear plugs if you are easily distracted by noise.  I had forgotten about that, but I am so easily distracted.  I have already started programming myself to ignore the noisy page turnings and then I find that sometimes my own page turnings are noisy.  Anyway, thanks for the reminder about the ear plugs.  Good idea about the fingertip moistener; my pages get stuck and I am like you, no finger lickin'.  If nobody responds about the moistener I will call AAPC and ask (next week).  

Donna G

So if we have the 2015 ICD-10-CM and CPT we will have to purchase new ones if we are not testing until 2016? Am I reading that right?

Glenda,

Thanks for the advice about bringing a frozen water bottle - super idea!!

Teri

Donna,

I am easily distracted as well. I can just imagine a room full of people, nervously flipping pages like crazy!!  It may just be my imagination running wild, though. It's probably not so bad, especially once you start working on the exam. 

Teri

"D" from AAPC told me anyone taking the CPC test now will be taking it under ICD-9.  I have been studying with Andrews under ICD-10 so I have to wait until after early January when the new ICD-10 AAPC test is ready.  By waiting until 2016 the books that will be used on the 2016 AAPC test will be ICD-10, HCPCS 2016 and CPT 2016.  Don't purchase a new ICD-10 book; the one you have now is good for the 2016 CPC exam.  Only purchase the 2016 HCPCS and 2016 CPT.

Please read this note that I copied from Glenda in case you want to consider this before you make your book purchase.  "One thing to keep in mind if you plan to buy bundles of code books from anywhere, AAPC or otherwise, is that the versions of books that are allowed on the CPC may differ from versions allowed on the CCS.  If you're updating your books for one of the exams but planning to take both, I would check both organizations' allowable book lists before purchasing anything to make sure the versions you're getting will be allowed in both exams! 

The versions we use in the course are permitted on both exams, but you won't find them in a convenient bundle to purchase anywhere."

It never occurred to me to check with Glenda about book purchase.  

Donna G

Thank you!  That is good to know.  It looks like those 2 will be around $180 or so based on Amazon's prices.  That's a pretty big expense in addition to the cost of the test, so it's good to know that ahead of time.  I sure hope I can find me a great job to make up for the expense of getting certified!  :) I will have to make sure I get my CCS in next year too so I don't have to buy all new books for that as well.

My advice about books is to purchase the exact same books that you now have just with a different year. Purchase them far enough in advance that you have adequate practice using them.  We chose those books for you because they're really considered to be the best.  

The problem with purchasing a package of books from other publishers is that those books may not be anything like to books you have now. You may be quite surprised when you receive them to find that the font is different, the colors are different , the symbols are different, the layout is different, and the material inside the book may be may contain different information.  The code numbers and the text of the codes might be the same, but pretty much anything else in the book is fair game for the publisher to alter or enhance or even delete. 

 You need to be very familiar with your books before you take the test . You absolutely do not want any surprises on your exams. 

 I have taken a number of exams and proctored several. I don't recall there being a lot of noise from page flipping. In fact if you are scrunching the pages and pushing them over to turn them, you may be making so much noise yourself that you can be asked to leave an exam room if they feel you are disruptive. This is particularly true on the CCS exam which you will take at a Pearson exam center, in a room filled with people who are not using books for their exams.  Those people can actually become a little upset at the sight of your books. They may worry that you are going to make noise and that will make them listen even harder. You shouldn't worry about this, but it is a good idea to develop quiet page turning techniques . You don't want to make noise when you shuffle from one book to another or make noise when you turn your pages. 

 You'll also want to learn to use your books in a manner that is compatible with any exam that you take.  You absolutely cannot bring anything to an AHIMA exam other than the allowable code books. That includes fingertip moistener, drinks, gum, candy, pencils, some types of watches, electronic devices, and rulers.  

 If you haven't already checked the AHIMA and AAPC websites for exam information you might want to do it fairly soon.  Knowledge is power. 

What I paid for the Procedural Bundle was $149.95 plus shipping.  Separately it would have been $99 for CPT and $59.95 for HCPCS - This was through AAPC. I am wondering if I jumped the gun on making my order for these book, wondering based on a response note from Glenda, and now this response note from Peggy.  I'm going to ask for more detailed information from Glenda and Peggy about the books and if they are different I am going to try to cancel my order with AAPC (they won't be shipped until late December so there is time to cancel - not sure if AAPC will do that).  The bottom line to me is if I saved $ on the bundle, but the books are different and unfamiliar, then the distraction will be costly - and not worth the savings.

Donna G

Donna, the AMA CPT in that bundle is fine.  It is the only one allowed, in fact.  The HCPCS will not be a problem.  Just look at it closely to see where everything is.  

Make sure the exam you register for is switching to 2016 CPT, as well as to ICD-10.  It usually takes a few months after January to update the test to CPT, so I think it odd that it will be different this year.  

I am in the beginning of Module II.  Is it way too early for me to start thinking about buying the 2016 books or is this something I should look into? 

Diane, if you are asking me, I am going to say you have plenty of time before purchasing those 2016 books, but I'm a student like yourself, am into Module IV but haven't taken the CPC yet.  But actually, just wait a bit; I have an idea Glenda or one of the instructors will pick up your question and answer.  

I was just trying to share some information and hints that I had read from someone else, and I seem to have shared things that were in error.  Thank goodness Peggy and Glenda picked up on it and "set the record straight" for all of us.  I think I caused some confusion.  So any of you out there who have read my comments on this forum, please pay attention to what Glenda and Peggy have been saying, not to what I have written.  

On a very positive note, with lots of smiles and waves and banners flying, I want to wish really good things for the ones of you who are heading out to take that CPC.  I look forward to hearing of your success.

Donna G

I am wondering the same thing, Diane. I did not even think of purchasing new books... Except I am just finishing up Module 2, hopefully by the end of next week! I am curious as to what Glenda or Peggy says..

You really don't need to purchase new books while you're in the course. You want to wait until the right before you take your first certification exam, or at least until you figure out exactly when you will take your first certification exam.  You don't want to have to buy new books twice, which is what may happen if you buy your CPC books too soon. 

Keep in mind that the exam format doesn't switch to the next year on the dot of January 1. Both exams are on different schedules, too.  This year, the exam instructions seem to be a little different than usual.  

Again, just my opinion, but if you don't need to take the CPC until the end of Module III, then purchasing the new 2016 books now would be premature.  Nothing wrong with it, but maybe you want to spend that $ somewhere else for now.  However, you do need to get on a CPC schedule for 2016 once the schedules are posted.  I keep checking AAPC to find a schedule in my area but there is none posted as yet.  I guess they are waiting for the 2016 CPC test to be built/published.  I want to get it over with but on the other hand, I am not in a hurry; I'm in Module IV now and some of the problems in this module reinforce or clear up issues of difficulty I had in Module III, and believe me, I had a great deal of difficulty.  Thank goodness for patient instructors.  On the exams and even the chapter exercises I had to send multiple, multiple questions to the instructors.

Which brings up another statement of support.  I don't know how many of you find this course as difficult as I have, but difficult or not, when you get stuck or just need clarification, send a note for the instructor.  I think I have pestered them unmercifully, but they have always replied in an encouraging manner and even more importantly, in a manner that clarifies my confusion with down-to-earth, practical answers and sometimes with examples.  If you don't understand their reply, write another note.  

I hope you all have a good study day.

Donna G

For the 2015 books I have now, I am not really writing in them, putting some Post-It Notes here and there to figure out later on if that is something I really will need to write down.  But if this isn't the book I will be using in the test, do I really need to be that careful?  Plus I hate the thoughts of having all my notes and things written in the book and then needing to buy a new book to take for the test and having to re-enter all that stuff.  Is this what usually happens? Thanks for everyone's help!

Diane, that's really something to think about.  We can use our present ICD book but not the CPT or HCPS so I guess that means I will be going through my present CPT and transferring my penciled notes to the new 2016 when the time draws near.  I have many clarification notes penciled in; that's going to be a big job.  But, was it Peggy who said, when we get the new 2016 books we need to become very much acquainted with them.  So I guess with my transferring my penciled notes, that will be the start of a fine new and hopefully long acquaintance. ha. I believe they won't allow Post-It Notes.  I believe they do allow you to put little stickies that poke out for indexing.  Does someone else have something to say about that?  

Donna G

Yes, you will end up transferring all of your notes to the new books, and to every set of new books every year.  Remember, though, you should not have tons of notes in there, and nothing that looks like guidelines or other official sources.  What is allowed depends a lot on the person who checks your books.  

What is allowed depends on the test.  In a previous post, I suggested that everyone look at the information on the AAPC and AHIMA websites.  It does not seem that anyone did, but it might have been too difficult for you to find.

Look under "Certification," then click "Learn More" about Medical Coding Certification" under "Medical Coding Overview."   Choose the CPC exam information.  Everything you need to know is there.  Notice that there are four tabs which are labelled CPC Exam, Approved Manuals, Certification Requirements, Apprentice Status, and Test Tips.  

Also see the links at the left. The information about notes in books, tabs, stickies, snacks, pencils, etc., is there.  

www.aapc.com/certification/

Same thing at AHIMA.  www.ahima.org/certification. Choose A Certification, select CCS, and everything you need is there.  Some information is on that page itself or on a link there  Download the Candidate Guide, etc., from that page.  It is under  Helpful Resources at the lower right.  Many people look at that page and miss the fact that there are four tabs in that hig yellow bar that says CCS ... Overview, Applying, Exam Prep ...

Who can find the information on tabbing, notes, and stickies for both exams and share it?

Challenge from Peggy.  Who can find the information on tabbing, notes, and stickies for both exams and share it?

Okay, Peggy, I met your challenge, took a while but here it is,

Under Tips for Taking an AAPC exam, Certification (on the left of the page) at the bottom is FAQ.  Look in FAQ. That is where the sticky tab, etc.,  information is found.  

Donna G

Thank you, Donna!   Who else can bait their hook and pull in the AHIMA fish??  

Their requirements are a bit different, so you want to see them now.  You don't want to do something with your books that you might later have to undo. Even worse, you don't want to do something with your books  that might require you to buy yet another new book before you take the CCS.

It might be nice to have a handy table to compare them.  

                                                      CPC                     CCS

REQUIRED ICD BOOK

REQUIRED CPT

REQUIRED HCPCS

NOTES IN BOOKS

TABS, STICKIES, LOOSE PAPERS

OTHER REQUIREMENTS (Pencils, Paper, etc.)

SNACKS -YES, NO

WHERE GIVEN

... and so forth.