Know your books well! Know exactly where things are or where exactly to go if you aren’t sure about an answer. Also… tabs, tabs, tabs! That will get you exactly where you need to be in your book without wasting time flipping around. I have tabbed all of my books with tabs provided plus added additional tabs, it makes a HUGE difference and saves you a lot of time.
when I took the CPC back in 2015' I used sticky flags to put on the question i need to go back to.. just a tip. AND make sure you put a pencil dot to the number on the answer grid so you don't miss it!!
So, I'm supposed to take my Medical coding exam in July 2024, and I appreciate the tips here! I have noticed on my practice tests I take the entire 2 hour time limit to answer 25 questions 😅 Another thing I notice is I struggle to keep my guidelines straight in the heat of the moment. Gonna check your channel for guideline stuff!
Please let me know how it went! Im currently on chapter 7 and Im thinking of cramming and hopefully finishing by September. Do you think thats possible?
I had my CPC exam on April 24th in Woodland Hills California under AAPC. The classroom was not conducive to keeping your books on your table. I had to share a space with another person. It was very distracting. Needless to say, I ran out of time and had to fill in at least 20 bubbles. TIME IS HUGE! I actually failed by ONE POINT!
Tip for getting through the book faster: put lotion on your hands before the exam. A good bit, be generous. It’s life changing. Seriously. Don’t knock it till you try it lol. I need all the help I can get.
I tried that…before seeing your comment…it left greasy spots on the pages 😬…not sure how I feel about that. My fingers/hands are sooo dry though, I’m going to have to do something…maybe the rubber finger things Victoria mentioned…idk. Not sure what will be allowed, and trying to contact anyone to find out has been a bit of a struggle.
For my CPC exam, I marked areas in ICD 9 book like mass, personal history (highlighted where personal started and ended and where family started/ended to distinguish), condition, syndrome, etc.
Scheduled this Sat Dec 8th, I'm worried about the time aspect, and have been increasing speed w/ my practice tests. I'm happy I'm doing most of what you suggested, makes me think I'm heading in the right direction. Thanks!
I love your videos I just registered for anatomy and physiology my first step towards my coding certification and your videos make a big difference…thank you!
I think my biggest problem with speed is still trying to throw out unimportant content in a report. Plus… the book gets heavy when flipping in chunks and I find myself messing up the spiral.
Hi, I am certified medical coder .Recently I got a job as a hcc coder and completed my training for 15 days and because I was new to hcc coding I was trying to pick up things but on my last day of training with my practice records I didn't meet a 95% and they said not to move forward with me I am looking for good HCC training for good hands on practice can you suggest me
My exam is scheduled for next month! It will be online and I'm taking both parts the same day so the only thing I can hope for is a stable internet connection 😅 Your videos have played a big part in helping me get this far!
I see a lot of videos to prepare for CPC but what about after the exam? In the real world, how can someone maintain speed when they are just starting at their job as a medical coder. There are no videos talking about that. I’ve been searching lol. Also there’s no videos being specific on a specialty for example Obgyn. How to code and what to look for on a report in the Obgyn field. Also there are no videos specifically to diagnostic coding only (icd-10 only).
hi! Hopefully this is a fair question to ask and many other viewers have similar thoughts as I, but I was wondering if I started a CPC online course in 2020 and completed the course in 2021, is it possible to use the 2020 version of AAPC CPT and ICD-10 code books for the exam? Is it safe to use for an upcoming exam on December 18th, 2021? Also, I've been subscribed to you for a few months and I greatly appreciate all of your content-I have been watching your videos faithfully! THANK YOU!
I have a question similar but im doing 2021 to 2022. I know there are 400 cpt changes but I havnt found them to write in book myself and there's a cpc vid saying 2020 to 2021 had huge changes and you at least wanted correct book for that. However, please take this with grain of salt, if you find changes online, write them in your book
Looking for guidance and advice here. I am a RN with 25 years experience.I am looking to get out of the clinical nursing role. I need more flexibility to be at home to take care of health and my family. I have watched a number of your videos and I am intrigued. Where do I start? Thanks a lot!!!
As an RN you could do remote nursing! A number of insurance companies and even hospitals offer roles especially for RNs to do telehealth or clinical document review so you can work from home and not take a huge pay cut. I know your comment is a year old but hope this helps!
Hello Victoria! Your videos are helping me a lot. Do you have any hacks for getting through the AAPC content before the deadline is up? Or study hack as you go through the content? Thanks in advance and keep up the good work.
Thank you. I am learning about it and hopefully get to take my test this year. I am wondering where do you find definitions? I done a practice test and froze.
For the life of me i can not remember which books have the guidelines at the front of each chapter i feel like you mentioned it before if so please let me know😁
Hello Victoria, I was wondering if you could help me on what step to take next ? I just got my CBCS cert in August and want to farther my education since I can’t return to work (in person)yet but I am unsure of what to do next or where to get a work from home job (I have 2 kids )
Hi Victoria, I love your desk. I haven’t located a home desk for coding that offer enough space for the monitor and reading my code books. Do you mind sharing where it was purchased?
Ok so I am Taking an online CBT or medical coding course . I am a very slow Learner and at my age I which I really don’t want to say but have doubts about learning . Any advice to boost my confidence ? And I would need a book for an exam when it each that point ? Which type of book to get . The online course doesn’t tell me these things .
I took first part of exam 12/5 and ran out of time. I had to hurry and guess on last 4 questions. I take second part of exam 12/8. I’m already expecting to have to take it again. I’m currently watching your videos and working on practice tests.
Hi, Victoria! New sub here. I want to take the aapc cpc self paced + hands on experience package, I am wondering if you know about this package. Does this give video resources as well or this is just purely reading and no other resources. Thanks!
@@ContempoCoding so this is CMS, but CMS would pay less than regional payers.. but i wouldnt be able to figure out payment size? Why am I able to look up payment associated with CPT codes like 93229?
I am new to coding and will be completing the course, how can i know the answer to the cpt practice assignment in the current procedure terminology workbook
@@tracyhaga19 When you take the exam, you get a booklet that has all the questions in it. You are given it at the exam site and hand it back in at the end. So you can look at the booklet BEFORE answering the questions to see where you want to concentrate. This does not apply if taking the exam online.
You can use current or prior year but no more than one year back. You will hear tales of some proctors allowing this to slip through the cracks but officially it is not permitted.
Hi. This question is for anyone. If you fail the exam is there a discount when retaking? Im going to be take the medical billing/coding program at the community college & they cover the cost of the certification exam, but was wondering what the cost is if I don't pass it the first time. Is there a limit on retakes? I don't know if the cost if different in each state, I am in Florida.
Cost is exactly the same in every state. It is not a regulated board exam, it is simply a certification and does not change or become invalid due to state. If you fail the exam, you have to pay the entire fee of the exam again. You can get a discounted rate on purchasing a package of 2 exam attempts, but you cannot get money back if you pass on the first try. You also cannot pay the difference if you only purchased 1 exam attempt. It is one attempt for $399 or $499 for two attempts. You may retake as many times as you can afford. For more information, please consult the AAPC directly on their website (www.aapc.com/certifications/cpc/taking-the-cpc-exam) or contact them at 1-800-626-2633.
Hello, I have been watching your videos and learning a lot. I am taking my certification on Feb 22 and am very nervous about the time. When you took your exam, you said you almost ran out of time and you had 5.5 hours to take it. Now, it is 4 hours long. Are there less questions on the current exam? Why would they decrease the time like that? HELP please!!
First off, I'm thrilled to hear that my videos have been a part of your learning journey - that's awesome! About your exam on Feb 22, I totally get why the change in duration might seem a bit daunting. But no worries, I've got the scoop for you. The current format of the exam is indeed different from when I took it. Now, it's 100 questions, all multiple choice, and you have 4 hours to complete it. The shift in the number of questions and the duration is likely to streamline the process and focus on the most essential areas of knowledge. Here’s a pro tip: focus on time management and practice with timed quizzes to get a feel for the pace. Remember, it’s all about quality, not just quantity. You've got this!
I will be taking the CPC exam in January 2022, after I pass I will have CPC-A certification with 1 year experience. (the schooling I did online is considered 1 year experience) What is a reasonable time frame after I have the CPC-A and that 1 year experience to get an actual medical billing and/ or coding job? If anybody has info or input it would be appreciated.
You can find my tabbing instructions video here: ua-cam.com/video/WvXqaT5SuQY/v-deo.html The methodology has not changed since publication, even though the codes have.
My CPC exam will be on next 4th December, when I search for jobs online, every vacancy needs minimum 2 or 3 years of experience. How can I get experience and I am new in this field when all companies need highly qualified coders not begginers? N.B. I search for remotely jobs because coding is new in my country and not available in most insurance companies yet
I also take my CPC exam in December. I too only see coding jobs open that requires 1-3 years experience. Very frustrating! I mean we have to start somewhere & get trained & hands on experience. Externships are unpaid & I can't do that 3-12 months & not have income to pay bills. I didn't pay $4,000 to do billing. I went through the program expecting to get a job.
@@ContempoCoding I would rather have the 100 questions lol. I wish they'd give some grace for new coders and raise the time just a little bit. I think that comes with experience.
Know your books well! Know exactly where things are or where exactly to go if you aren’t sure about an answer. Also… tabs, tabs, tabs! That will get you exactly where you need to be in your book without wasting time flipping around. I have tabbed all of my books with tabs provided plus added additional tabs, it makes a HUGE difference and saves you a lot of time.
Thanks for the tips! I have mine tabbed out like crazy!!
That is a great Idea! I will do that! thanks for sharing.
Really, you'll know her? I even thought i was the only one she has helped walk through the fears and falls of Cpc
I failed twice, i lost money to reviews that never helped but the major thing is that I've not lost hope
Her info
What
Sapp
Hi, Victoria I just wanted to say thank you. I got my results and I passed my CPC exam.
I am taking my CPC exam the day after tomorrow and I just had to say that your UA-cam page has SAVED me!!! Thank you
when I took the CPC back in 2015' I used sticky flags to put on the question i need to go back to.. just a tip. AND make sure you put a pencil dot to the number on the answer grid so you don't miss it!!
So, I'm supposed to take my Medical coding exam in July 2024, and I appreciate the tips here! I have noticed on my practice tests I take the entire 2 hour time limit to answer 25 questions 😅
Another thing I notice is I struggle to keep my guidelines straight in the heat of the moment. Gonna check your channel for guideline stuff!
Please let me know how it went! Im currently on chapter 7 and Im thinking of cramming and hopefully finishing by September. Do you think thats possible?
@@mentallatnem3421 I passed! Officially a CPC-A now!
I had my CPC exam on April 24th in Woodland Hills California under AAPC. The classroom was not conducive to keeping your books on your table. I had to share a space with another person. It was very distracting. Needless to say, I ran out of time and had to fill in at least 20 bubbles. TIME IS HUGE! I actually failed by ONE POINT!
I failed be 5 points and retake mine on July 16th. I hope you re-took your exam and passed! Good Luck to everyone who keeps trying and never give up!!
Tip for getting through the book faster: put lotion on your hands before the exam. A good bit, be generous. It’s life changing. Seriously. Don’t knock it till you try it lol. I need all the help I can get.
You don't know how much this has helped me. I'm studying now and I just lotioned up. Thank you.
I tried that…before seeing your comment…it left greasy spots on the pages 😬…not sure how I feel about that. My fingers/hands are sooo dry though, I’m going to have to do something…maybe the rubber finger things Victoria mentioned…idk. Not sure what will be allowed, and trying to contact anyone to find out has been a bit of a struggle.
I am an RN and have been thinking about this for a year. Because of your videos I took the plunge and signed up through AAPC!
How's that going for you? I worked full time while going through the course and It took me a full year and a half to complete.
Any reason why you did not sign on “preppy”?
@@nicolestraka8875 did you pay extra after the 12 months? I am worried i will take longer also then get cut off before i finish. :/
Good luck to u on AAPC
Love the lipstick look amazing. Taking CPC on 12/5th
If you're taking the in person, rotate the scantron form on its side - much quicker to fill in the rectangle!
For my CPC exam, I marked areas in ICD 9 book like mass, personal history (highlighted where personal started and ended and where family started/ended to distinguish), condition, syndrome, etc.
You want to know your books pretty well because there are going to be questions coming from the books and you have to find them right away.
Scheduled this Sat Dec 8th, I'm worried about the time aspect, and have been increasing speed w/ my practice tests. I'm happy I'm doing most of what you suggested, makes me think I'm heading in the right direction. Thanks!
Thank you, again for the great information.
You bet!
I love your videos
I just registered for anatomy and physiology my first step towards my coding certification and your videos make a big difference…thank you!
Me too! I’ll start on February 22 with AAPC! Is that your date too! I’m very nervous about the exam!! Best wishes!
I think my biggest problem with speed is still trying to throw out unimportant content in a report.
Plus… the book gets heavy when flipping in chunks and I find myself messing up the spiral.
Thank you Victoria and your hair color really looks great.
Hi, I am certified medical coder .Recently I got a job as a hcc coder and completed my training for 15 days and because I was new to hcc coding I was trying to pick up things but on my last day of training with my practice records I didn't meet a 95% and they said not to move forward with me
I am looking for good HCC training for good hands on practice can you suggest me
Practice makes progress!!!
My exam is scheduled for next month! It will be online and I'm taking both parts the same day so the only thing I can hope for is a stable internet connection 😅 Your videos have played a big part in helping me get this far!
please make sure you buy a web cam. the cam built in your laptop will not be accepted
Best wishes!
@@ashsmith1364 Thanks because I was worried about that.
Here in 2024 ; thankful its computerized now
Can you tell me where you got your desk?
I see a lot of videos to prepare for CPC but what about after the exam? In the real world, how can someone maintain speed when they are just starting at their job as a medical coder. There are no videos talking about that. I’ve been searching lol. Also there’s no videos being specific on a specialty for example Obgyn. How to code and what to look for on a report in the Obgyn field. Also there are no videos specifically to diagnostic coding only (icd-10 only).
New Subscriber ❤️
thank you-thank you-thank you for all this information and help
Thank u so much for this video.. Lots of love 💕
hi! Hopefully this is a fair question to ask and many other viewers have similar thoughts as I, but I was wondering if I started a CPC online course in 2020 and completed the course in 2021, is it possible to use the 2020 version of AAPC CPT and ICD-10 code books for the exam? Is it safe to use for an upcoming exam on December 18th, 2021? Also, I've been subscribed to you for a few months and I greatly appreciate all of your content-I have been watching your videos faithfully! THANK YOU!
I have a question similar but im doing 2021 to 2022. I know there are 400 cpt changes but I havnt found them to write in book myself and there's a cpc vid saying 2020 to 2021 had huge changes and you at least wanted correct book for that. However, please take this with grain of salt, if you find changes online, write them in your book
Looking for guidance and advice here. I am a RN with 25 years experience.I am looking to get out of the clinical nursing role. I need more flexibility to be at home to take care of health and my family. I have watched a number of your videos and I am intrigued. Where do I start? Thanks a lot!!!
As an RN you could do remote nursing! A number of insurance companies and even hospitals offer roles especially for RNs to do telehealth or clinical document review so you can work from home and not take a huge pay cut. I know your comment is a year old but hope this helps!
Hello Victoria! Your videos are helping me a lot. Do you have any hacks for getting through the AAPC content before the deadline is up? Or study hack as you go through the content? Thanks in advance and keep up the good work.
.As soon as you said video game my mind went to mario bros. I now have the Super Mario theme stuck in my head! LOL
Have you done any videos on help with shoulder arthroscopy coding? (For non-medicare) I loathe these procedures! Haha!
I need speed , speed !
Thank you. I am learning about it and hopefully get to take my test this year. I am wondering where do you find definitions? I done a practice test and froze.
For the life of me i can not remember which books have the guidelines at the front of each chapter i feel like you mentioned it before if so please let me know😁
The Optum360 code book has the guidelines at the beginning of each chapter in the tabular.
@@Bri-mu5hi ahh ok Thanks I was going thru all the books online to see bc it wasn't made clear that they were at the beginning of each chapter
@@everlyevangeline you’re welcome!😊
Where do I find practice tests when I get to that point ? Are their different types of practice tests ?
Does one of your videos provide suggestions on choosing a certified online program for the medical coding/billing? Thank you in advance.
@Marissa Lynne Thank you Marissa!
Hello Victoria, I was wondering if you could help me on what step to take next ? I just got my CBCS cert in August and want to farther my education since I can’t return to work (in person)yet but I am unsure of what to do next or where to get a work from home job (I have 2 kids )
Hi Victoria, I love your desk. I haven’t located a home desk for coding that offer enough space for the monitor and reading my code books. Do you mind sharing where it was purchased?
LOVE YOUR LIPSTICK!!!
Ok so I am Taking an online CBT or medical coding course . I am a very slow Learner and at my age I which I really don’t want to say but have doubts about learning . Any advice to boost my confidence ? And I would need a book for an exam when it each that point ? Which type of book to get . The online course doesn’t tell me these things .
I took first part of exam 12/5 and ran out of time. I had to hurry and guess on last 4 questions. I take second part of exam 12/8. I’m already expecting to have to take it again. I’m currently watching your videos and working on practice tests.
I want to write an exam next year,which icd10 do you recommend?
I saw you with icd10 expert and I have icd10 physician.
Hi, Victoria! New sub here. I want to take the aapc cpc self paced + hands on experience package, I am wondering if you know about this package. Does this give video resources as well or this is just purely reading and no other resources. Thanks!
Hlo please write down the key points for fast coding . I am from india and I watched your videos some points i couldn't catch.
Hi there, how do you figure out how much payment there is for a code? for ex K0123
It's different for each insurance based on your contract. But a lot of fees are based on the Medicare fee schedule.
@@ContempoCoding so this is CMS, but CMS would pay less than regional payers.. but i wouldnt be able to figure out payment size? Why am I able to look up payment associated with CPT codes like 93229?
I am new to coding and will be completing the course, how can i know the answer to the cpt practice assignment in the current procedure terminology workbook
I heard you say to review your exam booklet are they gonna give you an exam booklet ahead of time to study?
No. That would compromise the exam.
@@ContempoCoding what booklet are you referring to
@@tracyhaga19 When you take the exam, you get a booklet that has all the questions in it. You are given it at the exam site and hand it back in at the end. So you can look at the booklet BEFORE answering the questions to see where you want to concentrate.
This does not apply if taking the exam online.
Im super slow.. its like my brain goes blank because im overwhelmed.. school hasnt helped much and i have to study study study
Can I still use the 2021 CPT and 2021 HCPCS Level II books when I take the exam in 2023?
You can use current or prior year but no more than one year back. You will hear tales of some proctors allowing this to slip through the cracks but officially it is not permitted.
Thanks!! I think I will be getting a new CPT and HCPCS then. My ICD-10 book is from last year 2022. Again, Thanks
I can't find videos on tips etc.. for the CCC exam :(
I took my CPC exam and failed by 1 point 😢. I did not finish the exam and realized I have to work on my timing. The 4 hours go by so fast lol.
Awesome thanks
Hi. This question is for anyone. If you fail the exam is there a discount when retaking? Im going to be take the medical billing/coding program at the community college & they cover the cost of the certification exam, but was wondering what the cost is if I don't pass it the first time. Is there a limit on retakes? I don't know if the cost if different in each state, I am in Florida.
Cost is exactly the same in every state. It is not a regulated board exam, it is simply a certification and does not change or become invalid due to state. If you fail the exam, you have to pay the entire fee of the exam again. You can get a discounted rate on purchasing a package of 2 exam attempts, but you cannot get money back if you pass on the first try. You also cannot pay the difference if you only purchased 1 exam attempt. It is one attempt for $399 or $499 for two attempts. You may retake as many times as you can afford. For more information, please consult the AAPC directly on their website (www.aapc.com/certifications/cpc/taking-the-cpc-exam) or contact them at 1-800-626-2633.
Hello, I have been watching your videos and learning a lot. I am taking my certification on Feb 22 and am very nervous about the time. When you took your exam, you said you almost ran out of time and you had 5.5 hours to take it. Now, it is 4 hours long. Are there less questions on the current exam? Why would they decrease the time like that? HELP please!!
First off, I'm thrilled to hear that my videos have been a part of your learning journey - that's awesome! About your exam on Feb 22, I totally get why the change in duration might seem a bit daunting. But no worries, I've got the scoop for you.
The current format of the exam is indeed different from when I took it. Now, it's 100 questions, all multiple choice, and you have 4 hours to complete it. The shift in the number of questions and the duration is likely to streamline the process and focus on the most essential areas of knowledge.
Here’s a pro tip: focus on time management and practice with timed quizzes to get a feel for the pace. Remember, it’s all about quality, not just quantity. You've got this!
@@ContempoCodingThank you!!! You totally rock at explaining things and concepts so that we understand!
I also have my exam in feb
Good Luck!! I wish you all the best! @@naintara7965
I'll be taking my CPC 12/11/21
Me too. Good luck.
I will be taking my that day also! Good luck!
@@tracybrooks3991 I will pray for you to pass!!
@@ossha2004 I will pray for you to pass!!
I will be taking the CPC exam in January 2022, after I pass I will have CPC-A certification with 1 year experience. (the schooling I did online is considered 1 year experience) What is a reasonable time frame after I have the CPC-A and that 1 year experience to get an actual medical billing and/ or coding job? If anybody has info or input it would be appreciated.
off the subject but OMG luv the lipstick!
I finished just in time
What were the method you used, which questions did you start with? Can you share pls?
I'm going to be taking it online and I'm pretty sure it says I only have 4 hours to take the test.
That is correct, there was a different time when this video was published in 2021.
Harrison Cape
Please tab it for us
You can find my tabbing instructions video here: ua-cam.com/video/WvXqaT5SuQY/v-deo.html
The methodology has not changed since publication, even though the codes have.
Honestly how much money can I make doin rhis
My CPC exam will be on next 4th December, when I search for jobs online, every vacancy needs minimum 2 or 3 years of experience. How can I get experience and I am new in this field when all companies need highly qualified coders not begginers?
N.B. I search for remotely jobs because coding is new in my country and not available in most insurance companies yet
I also take my CPC exam in December. I too only see coding jobs open that requires 1-3 years experience. Very frustrating! I mean we have to start somewhere & get trained & hands on experience. Externships are unpaid & I can't do that 3-12 months & not have income to pay bills. I didn't pay $4,000 to do billing. I went through the program expecting to get a job.
You got an extra 1hr 30 min than they offer now 😢😢😢 4hrs for 100 questions does not seem long enough
I also got 50 more questions, it was 150 questions then.
@@ContempoCoding I would rather have the 100 questions lol. I wish they'd give some grace for new coders and raise the time just a little bit. I think that comes with experience.
I need you to do a video on how to study for the exam. I am ADD And just starting to study for the CPC exam and I have no idea where to start
Hi Norma! I have an entire playlist for exam review: ua-cam.com/video/BvBazFkmb-M/v-deo.html
Robel Fields
Oh my God I love that lipstick color on you you look fabulous😮😮😊
You think? I always feel weird in bold lipstick.
@@ContempoCoding no you look absolutely stunning you should always wear that color just a suggestion
Brakus Square
DO NOT TAKE YOUR EXAM ONLINE!!!
Why not may I ask?
You can’t apply any of her suggestions online no pencil, no headphones, no music no nothing allowed
No printed guidelines