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Paulette, that's a VERY good sign that things are starting to click! I've always found that when I'm finally 'getting' something, I start dreaming about it or find myself relating to anything and everything I read or see on television.

So keep it up! That's how your brain sorts out all of this new knowledge you have. It counts as practice and makes you less fearful.

See it! Hear it! Code it!

I think we have a new class motto.

Linda, I like that motto.

I did pretty much the same thing not too long ago when I went with my mom to the cardiologist.  During the visit as he was talking I was reading through her paperwork, mentally cataloging what the codes should be. 

"Is there something wrong?" he asks.

 "Oh no, I'm just checking your codes," I answered.

"Don't think I've ever had anyone do that before."

This post made me laugh because I recently did the same thing for my chiropractor exam. I came home and attempted to code my visit. Next time I go for an adjustment, I am definitely going to ask to see my record and what they used for codes so I can compare them to mine. :)

Then you can show them where they went wrong. :)

One thing all of you learn in this course is how to defend your codes. That will come in handy on the job, as long as you do it politely and professionally.  That's the key. You have to be able to present information in a way that is helpful, but not offensive. The rude, blunt approach not only loses jobs, but gets very poor job references when future employers contact them. This is a great opportunity for all of you to practice those skills. Look at your own records and check for errors. If you find any, see if you can present those errors in a way that gets you the results you want, without making enemies.

LOL, I do the same thing -- although not out loud. But anytime someone discusses a medical issue I find myself coding that condition in my head. All I'm hoping is that the codes I'm using are correct!

It's a great idea to make a presentation of the defense of your codes once in a while. Of course we have you do that with your instructors, in writing. You'll have to do that on the job. You'll also have to do it verbally, maybe face-to-face with your supervisor. 

So I suggest that you get your dog or cat or bird or maybe your spouse or a child who is too young to object, and practice on them! Explain to them very tactfully and diplomatically why the choice you made is correct. You may have to point out that, while the books are the state-of-the-art coding books, publishers are just making more and more errors every year it seems. So you researched this one very carefully and found...(and if your dog hasn't gone to sleep or your cat hasn't walked off mad, and your husband hasn't said, "that's more than I ever wanted to know about coding" or your 3-year-old hasn't disappeared while you were talking...) you will have developed your skills in presenting and defending your case.  I recommend it! Try it on your parents, aunts and uncles, cousins! Maybe not. People will start running from you at family events.