Live with Laureen #003

1. Misc

1.1. Do you need to know sequencing RVU values for CPC exam?

1.1.1. No, the sequencing of codes using RVU values is not needed for the CPT exam. You will need to know the rules of sequencing as indicated in the guidelines, however.

1.2. Do you need to be certified before you can work as a coder?

1.2.1. There are coders with jobs that are not certified, however, having a coding credential is a good way to show a prospective employer that you have coding knowledge and will increase your likelihood of landing a coding job.

1.2.2. Hawaii is the only state that currently requires coders be certified.

2. Blitz Questions

2.1. If I have no real training in PCS would you recommend taking education before doing the Blitz?

2.1.1. Yes, the Blitz content is set up assuming that you have taken the coursework first, and the Blitz is to be used as for review and exam preparation.

2.2. Does the Blitz review cover how to answer multiple choice questions with more than one multiple choice quickly?

2.2.1. The Blitz gives many tips that will help you determine the answer choices quickly (compared to not using them), including Bubble and Highlighting, ways to organize your time, and annotating you manuals with key notes to help you zoom in on the codes that you need, etc. So yes, utilizing the information presented in the CPC Review Blitz will help you with your time management so you answer questions more quickly.

2.3. The blitz course looks to be designed for AAPC, but would they be sufficient for testing with the AHIMA as well?

2.3.1. It would be helpful, but you need to review other course material for the CCS, for example. Remember that the Blitz is intended as a review after you have taken the appropriate course for your exam.

2.3.2. http://www.cco.us/blitz-bundles/

3. BHAT™

3.1. Where can I find the tutorial for highlighting and bubbling for CPT 2016? I'm unable to locate it in my course materials.

3.1.1. Login to your CCO student area. In your subscription area you will see listed *BHAT™ Cave - CCO Annotation Technique Videos. Click on it, and you will have the videos for the Bubble, Highlight, and Annotate Technique.

3.1.2. The BHAT™ Cave is currently included with all of our full courses and review Blitzes.

3.2. Can the BHAT™ system be used in tests?

3.2.1. For AAPC exam takers, the techniques that are used in the BHAT™ system are allowed in your manuals that are approved for the specific exam.

3.2.2. Please check with other credentialing organizations regarding their specific requirements

4. Best Time to Start

4.1. What is the best time to start an online course?

4.1.1. September to December is an excellent time to start

4.1.2. Next is January-April

5. What's going on at CCO?

5.1. Poll on Master Mind Series

5.2. CCO Club launching November 1st

5.2.1. Get on CCO Insider list to be the first informed.

6. Frustrated with Job hunt

6.1. Alan writes in "With the lack of coding positions, it seems to me certification is useless"

6.1.1. It can seem that way especially when you are looking for your first job in a new profession.  But all of the people currently working in the field at one time were hired with no experience.

6.1.1.1. Review your cover letter and resume strategy

6.1.1.2. Free eBook "Get Your First Job in Medical Coding"

6.1.1.3. Networking

6.1.1.3.1. who do you know locally?

6.1.1.3.2. social media

6.1.2. Many Risk Adjustment and Auditing positions available

7. Practice Exams

7.1. What's the difference between a free version of the CPC practice exam and the paid version?

7.1.1. The free version of our CPC Practice Exam has 50 questions. It can be accessed here: Free CCO CPC Practice Exam - http://cco.pe/RE8dd4.

7.1.2. We call the paid versions Mini Mocks – each have 60 questions so you can easily time yourself, and attempt to complete each Mini Mock in 2 hours. This would be the rate of speed that you need to complete the real CPC Exam, allowing for some extra time for rechecking, eating a snack, etc.

7.1.3. There are 3 different Mini Mocks named Ruby, Sapphire, and Topaz. The Mini Mocks can be purchased here: CCO MiniMock CPC Practice Exams ==>  http://cco.pe/1iqSfyd.

7.1.4. There are no duplicate questions among the Mini Mocks and our Free CPC Practice Exam, so if you get the Free CPC Practice Exam and all 3 Mini Mocks you will have 230 unique practice questions.

7.2. Are there practice exams we can take on paper to give extra practice on how to color code? Currently, the only way I have been practicing has been online only.

7.2.1. First, let me explain what the person is referring to when she says “color code”.

7.2.1.1. I believe she means marking up the possible answer choices so that similar code are in the same color.

7.2.1.2. It a way to easily see that variations in answer choices.  Some people like to use colored highlighters to do that, and others, like myself, find it easier just to mark up the answer choices with circles or squares.

7.2.2. However you want to do it, it is a good idea to practice on paper.

7.2.3. CCO provides printable versions to its practice exams and well as online versions.

7.2.3.1. We suggest you print off the exam, take it as a printable exam, marking your chosen answers.

7.2.3.2. If you want to practice using color markers during the test, you can do this while taking the paper version.

7.2.4. Then determine your score

7.2.4.1. Go to the online exam and pop in your answers and submit.

7.2.4.2. You will be given your score and shown the rationales for each question.

7.3. Is there a limit on how often you can take the practice exams?

7.3.1. No. For the Mini Mocks, you have access for 12 months and you can take the practice exam(s) as many times as you like during that time.

7.4. How closely are the CCO Mini Mock Practice Exams to the actual AAPC exam?

7.4.1. CCO’s practice exams cover the same type of questions in the same ratio as in the real AAPC exam.

7.4.1.1. Some people say the CCO practice exams are more difficult.

7.4.1.2. CCO’s Mini Mock practice exams are 60 questions, AAPC’s are 50 questions, and the actual AAPC exam is 150.

7.4.2. If you can possibly use both CCO’s and AAPC’s practice exams, timing yourself appropriately, and obtaining 85% or more, you will be preparing yourself as we suggest in the CCO CPC Exam Success Formula - http://www.cco.us/cco-proven-process/.

7.4.3. This Success Formula covers other things you need to do as well, so check it out!

8. Guest

8.1. Ruth Sheets, CPC

8.1.1. Background

8.1.2. Roles with CCO

8.1.2.1. Head creater of mock exams

8.1.2.2. Project Manager

8.1.2.2.1. Q&A Webinar / Replay Club

8.1.2.3. Forum Moderator

8.1.2.4. Quality Assurance Reviewer