I am having a hard time figuring out the best way to study the CPT book and all the guidelines. My brain is reading all of the information but it just feels overwhelmed. If anyone could recommend any tips to help, that would be great. Thanks!
Re: Studying CPT
by Dawn Ki -
I am currently in section 10 of Module II (Chapter 17 of the Bowie book). I'm assuming you're in Module II as well?
The most difficult part for me has been the Evaluation and Management Codes. I have seen in outside forums that people struggle with E/M codes, so I made sure to read the entire chapter of the CPT manual on E/M codes, and really focus on what the Bowie book writes about them. (A bit overwhelming, but worth it.)
Other than that chapter, I would say just read each Bowie chapter once through, without analyzing the information too much. The layout and explanations of the Surgery codes start to become repetitive and fall into specific category types you will recognize. Pay attention to the information that isn't repeated from previous chapters.
You'll know if the information didn't stick when you get to the homework and exam questions. For codes other than E/M codes, I haven't been reading the extra notations in the CPT manual unless (1) the code I chose has specific notes on how to use it, or (2) I am unsure about a code to use.
I figure later in the Module there are case studies that will force me to look at the manual in more depth. If I learn the basic layout of the manual during the first part of the Module, it won't be as overwhelming to focus on the details later in the module.
Hope this helps!
The most difficult part for me has been the Evaluation and Management Codes. I have seen in outside forums that people struggle with E/M codes, so I made sure to read the entire chapter of the CPT manual on E/M codes, and really focus on what the Bowie book writes about them. (A bit overwhelming, but worth it.)
Other than that chapter, I would say just read each Bowie chapter once through, without analyzing the information too much. The layout and explanations of the Surgery codes start to become repetitive and fall into specific category types you will recognize. Pay attention to the information that isn't repeated from previous chapters.
You'll know if the information didn't stick when you get to the homework and exam questions. For codes other than E/M codes, I haven't been reading the extra notations in the CPT manual unless (1) the code I chose has specific notes on how to use it, or (2) I am unsure about a code to use.
I figure later in the Module there are case studies that will force me to look at the manual in more depth. If I learn the basic layout of the manual during the first part of the Module, it won't be as overwhelming to focus on the details later in the module.
Hope this helps!
Re: Studying CPT
by Glenda Hickman -
I like Dawn's advice here! You're absolutely right - the beginning-level portion at the beginning of Module II is more about understanding the layout of the manual and looking up more information as you need it to answer the exercise and exam questions. When you start working through more detailed information, like chart snippets and later on full-length patient reports, the guidelines start to play a larger role. They're often going to be telling you what needs to be coded together or what can't be coded together, or when to use certain modifiers. That's generally above the difficulty level in the first 12 sections of Module II, so to start, you should note where you're seeing them in the CPT book but not worry too much about what's in them.
-Glenda
-Glenda