Super tips to clear Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam 2023

In 2023, many of us will have new resolution in New Year. Some of them will be trying for clearing medical coding certification in 2023 and make a successful career in medical coding. Today we will share some tips about how to get prepared for CPC (Certified Professional Coder) exam. In 2023, we will some new challenges for clearing CPC exam due to lot of updated new and revised ICD and CPT codes. You can learn about the new codes in the below posts.

Now, you must be updated with the new ICD 10 and CPT codes for 2023. In short, you have now started our first step for preparation of CPC Exam. Let us see how we can prepare for CPC exam and use various techniques to clear this exam. You can refer a CPC exam study guide as well for practical hand on sample CPC questions.

Be Confident with ICD 10 codes

ICD codes have increased significantly, after implementation of ICD 10 codes. Most of the guidelines are same when compared to ICD 9 but in few cases we have to use multiple codes. For Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam preparation, we need to focus more on pregnancy complication codes, new Z encounter and status codes and Injury codes. These three categories need more attentions due to change in their coding guidelines.

Be careful with Exclude 1 and Exclude 2 notes, with ICD 10 codes. Do check these notes while coding two or more diagnosis codes together. For example a normal pregnancy code cannot be coded with a pregnancy complication code, exclude 1 note will guide coders not to code these (normal v/s complication) two codes together. Hence, ICD 10 coding guidelines should be followed with coding such codes together.

Hence, it will be better to make a list of Z codes used commonly in Medical coding. Just filter the Z codes used as Encounter codes (should be used Primary dx), status codes (secondary dx) and history codes (secondary dx).

Injury codes have major changes in their coding guidelines especially for fracture coding. Injury codes needs seventh character to define the initial, subsequent encounter or sequela for injury codes. Finally, be prepared with these three sections to confidently clear CPC exam in 2023. You can get the best sample CPC exam guide here which will surely help in clearing this exam.

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Be Prepared with New CPT codes

We always have new CPT codes introduced every New Year. In last few years, we have lot of bundle CPT codes like we had bundled CPT codes for Spinal Injection, angioplasty, stent etc. These bundled CPT codes will include all the minor procedures including the guidance and radiological supervision and interpretation. In 2018, we had new CPT codes for chest and abdomen X ray procedures.

The new CPT codes in 2019 included new codes for Fine Needle aspiration, skin biopsy , knee arthrogram, PICC line placement etc.

In 2020, we had new cpt codes in surgery, radiology, E/M, , medicine etc. In 2021, E/M coding guidelines changes for coders.

Always remember to read notes below CPT codes to avoid coding inclusive procedures. Always check for the Add-on codes required with primary codes. Surgery section in Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam needs more attention. Do read coding guidelines for each section in CPT codebook.

Keep Solving model Certified Professional Coder (CPC) papers

Practice makes everyone perfect. As I have mentioned keep yourself updated with ICD and CPT codes for coding certification exams. For CPC exam, understanding the question paper is very important. If you have understood the question paper pattern, you can easily give 50% correct answer. The major advantage of solving model or sample CPC exam paper is that how to use time during exam.

Time is very important for factor for clearing any exam. I have practiced almost three CPC model question paper, to know how much time I have taken to attempt all the questions. In First 2 question paper I have left few question unanswered, but third one I have finished on time. Therefore, the main thing to focus here is, how to manage time in solving sample question paper. Finally, solving question paper helps in knowing your mistakes and avoids those mistakes in final CPC exam.

Be Relaxed during Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam

Exam fear is very common. So, do prepare confidently and remove your fear for CPC exam. This exam is very important for all the medical coders. Hence, be cool and solve all the practice papers within stipulated time for CPC exams. If you are relaxed and cool during CPC exam, you can concentrate more on finding correct answer. If you get upset or worried for any question, you might forget many important points. This happen mostly in exam and many of us have experienced. Finally, keep all your codebooks ready during CPC test, so that you can easily find the required guideline or ICD or CPT code in few seconds.

How to calculate your passing marks for CPC exam

As you all know for clearing or passing CPC exam you need to score equal to more than 70%. Now, while writing CPC test, you should always look for questions which you can answer confidently. Sometimes, we miss questions which we can answer, by just wasting our time on difficult questions. So, the tip for this AAPC exams is just go ahead with questions, you can answer correctly. Once, you know you have attempted all the easy questions of Certified Professional Coder (CPC) test, you can then go ahead for difficult ones. So, if you attempt equal to or more than equal to 70 % correctly you can easily pass the CPC exam. After calculating all the correct answers, you can yourself judge your performance. Hence, do attempt all the questions and pass the CPC test in first attempt.

Result day of Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam

The score of CPC exam will be shown in AAPC website after few days of your exam. Now, if you pass your CPC exam in first attempt, then you have added one more achievement in your professional life. But, if you have not cleared the CPC test in first attempt, do not feel low. Yes, it feels bad but everyone is not brainy enough to clear this exam in first attempt. Sometimes, we need to do more hard work. So, if you score below 70% in CPC exams, start preparing for your second attempt. Checkout your weaker section in medical coding. Discuss with students who scored above 80% or 90% in CPC exams, about how to prepare for the second attempt. The more you gain knowledge about CPC test, the more are the chances of clearing this exam.

Hope, you would have loved this article about passing CPC exam. If you have any tips for clearing CPC test do share with us in the comment section.