EM Coding Basics for the CPC Exam

10. March 2010

Here’s a nuts-and-bolts guide to the E/M section in your CPT maual. If you’re a lab, pathology, or radiology coder, the evaluation and management questions may have you re-evaluating whether you want to take the test in the first place.…

Radiology Review for CPC Exam: Body Planes, Views & Positions

10. March 2010

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Image: Yassine Mrabet, Wikimedia Commons This handy glossary helps you ace terminology questions on the CPC exam. When coding diagnostic radiology, it’s very important to understand what position the patient was in and…

CPC Exam Review: Digestive System Pathophysiology

4. March 2010

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Take a few minutes to digest some digestive system ICD-9 coding tips. Today, we’re going to review some of the diseases and conditions that can crop up in questions about the digestive system on the CPC exam. Test Prep Tip:…

CPC Exam Review: Radiology Coding Questions

1. March 2010

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Study and mark these key radiology guidelines in your CPT manual. I don’t know about you, but I absolutely dreaded the radiology questions on the Certified Professional Coder exam. And even though I passed the test, I’m certain I got…

Sharpen Your Time Based EM Coding Skills With This Tool

25. February 2010

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Having trouble getting your physicians to document time correctly? Share this tool with them. If you missed Jennifer Godreau’s time-based EM coding webinar last week, don’t despair. Slides from her presentation are posted on the Internet and full of handy…

4 Tips for Acing ICD Coding Questions on the CPC Exam

25. February 2010

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Don't confuse words that look almost alike ... but aren't. Don’t let the test questions fool you. Take these steps when you study. The correct answer to many CPC exam questions lies in…

5 Documentation Tips for Time-Based E/M Codes

17. February 2010

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Warning: Auditors are looking to collect paybacks for under-documented codes. One way to boost your coding career is to ethically maximize your practice’s revenue, and one place to look for cash is time-based E/M codes. Lowballing time-based E/M codes because…

CPC Exam Coach: Modifier 50

9. February 2010

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Twin Lantana, Joaquim Alves Gaspar on Wikimedia Commons Double your bilateral coding expertise with these ‘test yourself’ scenarios. Many sample CPC exam questions I’ve seen ask test takers to choose between a code that has…

CPC Exam Coach: Modifiers 26 and TC

2. February 2010

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If you think the only question to ask is ‘Does the physician own the equipment?’ think again. Knowing your modifiers is often key to getting CPC exam questions correct. So, today we’re going to school…

CPC Exam Prep: Your Roots Are Showing

27. January 2010

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This sample CPC exam question tries to trick test takers. Learn how to outsmart it. Roots are one key to doing well on the AAPC’s medical coding certification exam. No, not the ones you touch up at the salon, but…

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