Earning the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential, offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), is a significant career step for anyone aiming to excel in medical coding. This certification is widely recognized as the gold standard, setting you apart in the competitive field of medical billing and coding jobs. But the path to certification involves a rigorous exam that demands thorough preparation. Effective study strategies and the right resources are crucial for success. Let’s delve into what it takes to conquer the CPC exam and how tools like study cards and programs like CareerStep can pave your way to certification.
Understanding the CPC Exam: Your Career Stepping Stone
The AAPC, or American Academy of Professional Coders, plays a pivotal role in the medical coding industry. Established to foster professional development and maintain high standards, the AAPC offers certifications that validate expertise in various domains, including medical coding, billing, auditing, and compliance.
AAPC certification is a testament to your knowledge and skills, recognized and respected by employers. Passing the CPC exam demonstrates your competence and dedication to the field. While there are several AAPC certifications, including CPC-H (for hospital outpatient coding), CPC-P (for payer coding), and CIRCC (for interventional radiology and cardiovascular coding), the CPC is the foundational and most widely pursued certification. It covers essential aspects of medical coding applicable to physician offices and clinics, encompassing coding guidelines, medical terminology, and a broad spectrum of codes.
The CPC exam itself is designed to verify your proficiency in coding medical services and procedures using CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10-CM codes. Success in this exam is a clear signal to employers of your readiness to handle the complexities of medical coding in real-world scenarios.
Conquering the CPC Exam: Study Strategies and Resources
The Challenge of the CPC Exam
The CPC exam is known for its rigor and comprehensive nature. It’s not designed to be easily passed without dedicated preparation. However, with the right approach and resources, it is absolutely achievable. A passing score of 70% is required, emphasizing the need for thorough understanding and mastery of the subject matter.
Leveraging Study Cards for CPC Success
When it comes to effective exam preparation, study cards are an invaluable tool. For the CPC exam, which requires memorization of numerous codes, guidelines, and medical terms, study cards can significantly enhance your learning process. Creating or utilizing pre-made career step coding final exam study cards can help you break down complex information into manageable segments. These cards can be used to:
- Memorize Key Codes: Write codes (CPT, HCPCS, ICD-10-CM) on one side and their descriptions or applications on the other. Regularly reviewing these cards reinforces code recall.
- Understand Coding Guidelines: Dedicate cards to specific coding guidelines, such as E/M coding principles or surgical coding rules. This helps in applying guidelines accurately during scenario-based exam questions.
- Master Medical Terminology: Use cards for medical terms, prefixes, suffixes, and root words. This strengthens your understanding of medical language, crucial for interpreting medical documentation and coding accurately.
- Practice Scenarios: Create cards with mini-coding scenarios or questions on one side and the correct code or answer on the reverse. This active recall method is highly effective for exam readiness.
While the phrase “career step coding final exam study cards” might be specific, the underlying principle is the effectiveness of study cards in general. Whether you create your own or seek out resources that align with this concept, incorporating study cards into your CPC exam prep is a highly recommended strategy.
CareerStep’s Final Exam: A Crucial Practice Run
For those enrolled in programs like CareerStep’s Medical Coding and Billing Professional Program, the final exam serves as an excellent preparatory step for the CPC exam. Treating your CareerStep final exam as a serious practice run is highly beneficial. Reviewing areas where you might have struggled in your CareerStep final exam can pinpoint your weaker areas, allowing for targeted study. If you have retakes available for the CareerStep final exam, utilize them as opportunities for further practice and to solidify your understanding.
The structure and content of comprehensive medical coding programs like CareerStep are designed to align with the CPC exam content areas. Therefore, thorough preparation for and review of your CareerStep final exam is directly relevant to CPC exam success.
Additional Study Resources
Beyond study cards and program final exams, consider these resources:
- AAPC Practice Exams and Prep Books: The AAPC itself offers practice exams and study guides specifically designed for the CPC exam. These are highly recommended as they closely mirror the actual exam format and content.
- Review Course Materials: Revisit your notes, textbooks, and any materials from your medical coding program. Focus on the 17 content areas covered in the CPC exam (listed later in this article).
- Utilize Online Forums and Support: Platforms like CareerStep forums or other medical coding communities can provide valuable tips, insights, and support from those who have already taken the CPC exam.
- Code Book Familiarization: Since the CPC exam is open book (with specific code books), becoming intimately familiar with your ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS code books is paramount. Practice navigating these books quickly and efficiently.
Utilizing Code Books Effectively
The CPC exam allows you to bring your code books – ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS. However, simply having them isn’t enough; knowing how to use them effectively is key.
- Tabbing and Highlighting: Strategically tab sections and subsections within your code books for quick access. Highlight key terms, guidelines, and frequently used codes. (Remember, no attachments, gluing, or stapling is allowed – only highlighting, tabbing and handwritten notes).
- Practice Code Look-up: During your study sessions, practice looking up codes based on various scenarios. Time yourself to improve speed and efficiency.
- Understand Book Structure: Familiarize yourself with the index, appendices, and different sections of each code book. Knowing the organization helps you locate information faster during the exam.
Key Exam Day Details: What to Expect
- Exam Format: The CPC exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, covering 17 knowledge areas.
- Time Limit: You are allotted 4 hours to complete the exam, whether taken online or in person.
- Online vs. In-Person: You can choose to take the exam online with a remote proctor or at a physical testing center. Online exams require specific technical setups (quiet space, reliable internet, webcam).
- Open Book Policy: You are permitted to use your ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS code books (current or previous year editions, one copy of each).
- Passing Score: A score of 70% or higher is required to pass.
- Retake Policy: The exam fee includes a second attempt if you don’t pass the first time.
Maintaining Your CPC Certification
CPC certification is valid for two years. To maintain your credential, you must earn 36 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) every two years. This ensures you stay updated with the evolving field of medical coding and maintain your professional competency.
CPC Exam Content Areas: Focus Your Study
To guide your preparation, here are the 17 content areas covered in the CPC exam:
- Surgical procedures performed on the:
- Integumentary system
- Musculoskeletal system
- Digestive system
- Respiratory system
- Cardiovascular system
- Hemic and lymphatic systems
- Mediastinum and diaphragm
- Urinary system
- Reproductive systems
- Maternity and delivery
- Endocrine system
- Nervous system
- Evaluation and management (Inpatient, outpatient, nursing, etc.)
- Anesthesia
- Radiology and laboratory pathology
- Medicine and medical terminology
- Anatomy
- Coding guidelines, compliance, and reporting for ICD-10-CM, HCPCS, and CPT coding
Conclusion
Earning your CPC certification is a significant achievement that opens doors to a rewarding career in medical coding. While the exam is challenging, strategic preparation using effective tools like study cards, practice exams, and comprehensive programs like CareerStep’s Medical Coding and Billing Professional Program will significantly increase your chances of success. By focusing on the key content areas, mastering your code books, and utilizing available resources, you can confidently approach the CPC exam and take that crucial career step towards becoming a certified medical coding professional.
Ready to take the next step in your medical coding career? Explore CareerStep’s Medical Coding and Billing Professional Program today to gain the skills and knowledge you need to pass the CPC exam and launch your new career! Call 1-800-411-7073 to learn more.
