CPC Medical Coding tips

CPC Exam Details The CPC exam is one-hundred and fifty multiple choice questions and is five hours and a forty minutes.The time given to complete the CPC examination gives examinees a little over two minutes per question if no breaks are taken. Examinees are permitted to take break time, however, this is deducted from the total exam time. The CPC Exam is Divided into Three Main Sections: Medical Concepts Surgery and Modifiers Remaining CPT codes Each of these three sections are then further divided into smaller headings.Medical Concepts: This portion of the exam is sub-divided into smaller, more specific classifications. The following sub-divisions are each assigned 5-10 category specific questions: Guidelines Payment management Medical terminology Anatomy ICD-10-CM codes HCPCS codes Surgery and Modifiers: This section is mainly sub-divided to reflect the surgery section of the CPT book. The following sub-divisions are each assigned 5-10 category specific questions: Integumentary Musculoskeletal Respiratory Cardiology Hemic/Lymphatic systems Mediastinum/Diaphragham Digestive Urinary Male and Female reproductive organs Maternity/ Endocrine system Nervous system Eyes/Ears Remaining CPT Codes:This portion of the exam focuses on the remaining CPT codes. Each of the following sub-divisions are assigned 5-10 category specific questions: Evaluation and Management Anesthesia Radiology Pathology Medicine There are also several versions of each CPC exam. This is done to ensure that if an individual does not pass on their first attempt that they will not be given the identical examination on their second attempt. This also helps to discourage cheating. **For examples of questions similar to those found on the CPC exam click here.** CPC Examination Tools When sitting for the CPC exam individuals are instructed to bring the following: Current photo identification AAPC membership card Current years AMA published CPT book, professional or standard edition Currents years 10-CM, Volumes I and II Current years HCPCS, Medicare National Level II Codes Several #2 pencils At least one good eraser Calculator (not cell phone calculators) The medical coding books are also allowed to have personal notations and highlights. Items may not be photo copied, stapled, taped, or glued into these book though.Hand written notes, such a medical terms, anatomy notations, and highlighting of existing material are approved. Extensive notations that are considered an "advantage" over other examinees is not permitted and can disqualify an individual. Notation approval is ultimately up to the proctor. If in doubt contact your proctor prior to the exam date. Examinees are also allowed to place tabs in their coding books for easier referencing. Items such as sticky notes are not approved and will be removed.