The requirement of medical coders is increasing day by day. If you are visiting AAPC website, you can check in their monthly newsletters, the number of CPC-A, CPC. COC, CIRCC etc. newly certified coders with their names. The number of certified coder increasing every month. Majority of coders are clearing CPC Certification exam. So, the demand for coders is growing in the market, may be because of the implementation of ICD 10 codes and due to pandemic of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Yes, due to pandemic the business has been affected badly and now due to vaccines, things are getting normal. In 2024, AAPC certification exams will consist of 100 questions in which you’ll be given 4 hours to answer.
Due to the transition from ICD 9 to ICD 10, their is a huge requirement for CPC or AAPC certified coders. AHIMA credential are also important, but I would recommend to first go for CPC Certification exam, which can be cleared in First attempt, if followed the coding guidelines. Earlier I have shared some of the tips for Clearing CPC exam in 2024. Now, from October 2022, again few updates in diagnosis will be added in ICD 10. Hence, we should now start thinking about how we should prepare and clear CPC Certification exam in 2024. Also, learn about all the updates regarding ED (Emergency Department) Facility coding changes happened in 2024, to prepare for medical coding certification exams.
CPC coding Certification exam syllabus
Surgery Section– 36 questions
Evaluation and Management– 6 questions
Anesthesia– 4 questions
Radiology (70000 series)- 6 questions
Laboratory / Pathology – 6 questions
Medicine– 6 questions
Medical terminology – 4 questions
Anatomy- 4 questions
ICD-10-CM/Diagnosis -5 questions
HCPCS Level II – 3 questions
Coding Guidelines– 7 questions
Compliance and Regulatory– 3 questions
(Note: New Section from 2022) Cases -10 cases
Ten cases will test your ability accurately code medical record documentation using CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II. The cases will cover 10000 series, 20000 series, 30000 series, 40000 series, 50000 series, 60000 series, medicine, anesthesia, radiology, pathology and laboratory, and evaluation and management services. Medical terminology, anatomy, compliance, and regulatory information may also be tested in the cases.
Become Perfect in ICD 10 coding for CPC Certification test
In 2024, the main game changer in CPC Certification exam will be CPT codes. Due to new updates in 2024 for ICD 10 and CPT codes, the AAPC exam in 2024 will be little challenging. So, do remain updated with all the changes for 2024. Avoid committing the common mistakes in ICD 10 coding. Due to the increase in the number of diagnosis codes in ICD 10, coders need to be alert while searching for the codes. Also, the E/M coding guidelines changes in 2023, should be also focused to avoid any error in this AAPC certification exam.
Though, the guidelines of ICD 9 and ICD 10 is almost same, but the alphanumeric ICD 10 codes are not easy to memorize. Hence, do check twice while coding the ICD 10 codes. There are few topics which I would like to discuss for preparation of CPC exam, in ICD 10. If you perfect in these topics, you can gain 95% to 100% in ICD 10 coding questions.
Since majority of the CPC test question paper will be more focused on the CPT codes, hence coder needs to have be very well prepared with CPT coding guidelines. The vascular coding for selective and non-selective catheterization should be not confusing anymore. E/M CPT codes are now easy to code with new updates in 2024. Surgery CPT codes need to filtered carefully from answers, since many codes are getting bundled every year. Please do solve some sample charts on surgery to clear your doubts.
COVID-19 Diagnosis & CPT codes
COVID 19 Diagnosis and procedure codes should be more focused now. Due to the pandemic their has been lot of updates for coding or capturing the correct diagnosis and procedure for Coronavirus. Hence, the coders have to very active in this section. I have share lot of post on COVID-19 diagnosis and procedures, which will surely help you to prepare for the AAPC coding certification exam.
In October 2022, their are many important changes in ICD 10 codes, which needs to reviewed by medical coders. These new changes are effective from 1st october 2022, hence it should be updated to coders.
Injury ICD 10 codes
The injury ICD 10 codes have now increased. We have separate codes for initial, subsequent encounters and sequela for injury codes. While answering question, do check for the 7th digit for the encounter. If you are good in coding injury codes, you can easily gain full marks in ICD 10 questions.
Practice More on CPC Certification exam model Question Paper
CPC Certification exam was very lengthy. But, from 2022, the questions have been decreased and now only 100 Multiple choice questions (includes 10 cases) should be finished in 4 hours . Hence, to manage the time used in CPC exam, you have first practice on Sample CPC question papers. You need to finish you CPC exam before 1 hour or half an hour of your exam time. If you have sufficient time at the end of the exam, you can go back and check your answers once again. I always come across a wrong answer or a un-attempted question while checking my finished paper. So, do practice all these techniques if you want to clear your Certification exam in 2024.
New CPT and ICD 10 of 2024
It is really important for medical coders to remain updated with the CPT and ICD 10 codes. The procedures codes get updated in January and ICD codes in October every year. Hence, it is very important for medical coders to remain updated with new changed CPT and ICD 10 codes for 2024. The updated CPT codes sometimes will be easy to learn compared to old or deleted CPT codes. Now, every new CPT code is bundled and include services, which were coded separately previously. Hence, if you are updated you have high chances of clearing the CPC exam.
Be Cool during CPC Certification exam
Many of us are scared with the name of EXAM. If you are scared of something, that will always try to dominate you. So, be calm and cool with the difficulties in your life. Be relax while writing CPC exam. If you have studied and prepared, you will surely clear CPC exam. If you not at all prepared, then all the fear of exam will go in your head. Confidence only come from your exam preparation. If you don’t study regularly, even a simple question will be difficult for you. Hence, prepare for exam nicely and clear the CPC exam with good percentage.