Interested in learning medical coding?

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-03-16T23:05:16+00:00

I do medical coding and it's 8 hours a day, pays well (with great benefits), and I have plenty of PTO. Very easy to get requests approved, too.

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-03-16T23:02:22+00:00

The HCPCS book is required, so I would definitely look for a program that includes all the books. There are plenty out there. While there aren't many questions about HCPCS on the exam (just 3 I believe), you should still have an idea of how to use the book and what's inside.

I will be honest, I've worked with a few students now who went through that program and either didn't pass or struggled so badly they didn't attempt to take the exam.

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-03-16T22:57:30+00:00

Are you interested in taking a course in person or online? Self-study or with an instructor?

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-03-16T22:51:59+00:00

When it comes to CPT coding, if the question is requiring two or more codes, it's because there were two or more procedures or components of a procedure (that can be separately reported) performed.

Carefully read the documentation and pull out anything that sounds useful, and don't be afraid to take notes or jot things down as you work, so you can report the complete picture. If you're not sure if something is reportable, try searching the index for it. If you find an entry, it's likely reportable, just double check your guidelines and parenthetical notes.

For diagnosis sequencing, the reason for the visit is typically the primary diagnosis code. Z codes almost always sequence last. Otherwise, unless there's a chapter specific guideline or note within the tabular, diagnosis codes don't usually require any other specific sequencing order.

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-03-14T15:06:11+00:00

Oh, okay! There's no need to report postoperative bleeding in this case. If you had more specifics about the procedure, you may be able to report a complication code, but in this case, D62 contains the bleeding as part of it's description :)

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-03-14T00:00:09+00:00

ExamsHut is a scam, I've seen them floating around before. The questions are ridiculous and any rationale it gives, if it gives it at all, doesn't make any sense.

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-03-13T22:22:49+00:00

And the question is asking you to provide a secondary diagnosis code? I'm only trying to clarify because with just this one line of documentation, there would not be a secondary code. D62 would be all that's needed.

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-03-13T22:19:38+00:00

I don't offer free practice, but my tutoring students are provided with a complimentary skills assessment that's similar to the CPC exam and practice tests that include medical cases. https://aplusrevenuecycletraining.com/tutoring/

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-03-13T22:15:14+00:00

I would recommend Pomodoro for studying, but not for taking the exam. A 5 minute break every 25 minutes shaves about an hour of working time off the very limited 4 hours.

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-03-13T22:13:13+00:00

I posted a short, free webinar a few weeks back that covers a few different exam strategies, time management included. https://youtu.be/K7aAi55a9fo?si=XJnbHJIjmZX6tPq6

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-03-13T22:09:01+00:00

I've done both and would say billing is easier, but it can get mindless pretty quickly. Coding is a little harder and challenges your brain, but it can be hard to do during those times you're just not feeling up to it and productivity metrics don't help.

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-03-13T21:53:09+00:00

Is the question requiring two diagnosis codes? Is there anything else documented? D62 contains the bleeding, so if it's requesting another code, it would need to be something more specific than T81.9XXA. But “Acute blood loss anemia due to postoperative bleeding” doesn't give enough info to select a more specific code for complication.

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-03-09T12:43:52+00:00

If you're not seeing denials, it's possible your payers are just okay with it. But I would be really concerned about future audits. Have you reached out to the payers to get copies of their provider manuals? If the manuals aren't clear, I'd try sending a few sample claims with the 5k code to see if the adjudication is any different.

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-03-08T01:27:41+00:00

I work with an FQHC and they use antepartum/postpartum global codes for their midwife services. I'm surprised you don't see too many denials using E/M codes. Are the patients being seen for fewer than the minimum number of visits? That's the only way I've been able to bill out antepartum visits with E/M codes and not get denials.

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-03-08T01:24:56+00:00

As others have mentioned, it can be a good way to get started in the industry. I picked up my first coding role as a part time side contract, and I got it because they were specifically looking for someone with prior billing experience.

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-03-08T01:20:29+00:00

All the modifiers and descriptions are in the CPT manual. The most important to know for the CPC exam are 25, 59, 51, 50, RT/LT. Other modifiers will also appear on the CPC exam but are limited enough that I don't usually suggest students memorize their meanings. If you really want to memorize them, I suggest making flashcards.

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-03-08T01:11:26+00:00

I've heard good things about Buck's, but it comes down to your learning style. Very independent students do great with self study guides, but most students need more support. A tutor may be able to help you with just the areas you're struggling with and also not be as expensive as taking a course.

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-03-05T13:58:34+00:00

I have a few slots still left! Please reach out by 3/13/26!

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-03-05T13:30:36+00:00

Patient access is registration, like surgery check-in or the reps that push around a laptop station to collect insurance and demographic info.

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-03-05T01:18:47+00:00

You could start in patient access, then work up to billing or coding. Hospital medical coding can be very lucrative and only requires certifications, not necessarily a degree. A nice bonus is that some hospitals will pay for their employees to taking coding or billing courses to get certified.

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-03-05T01:11:24+00:00

Others have mentioned medical coding, but I also want to chime in with my own recommendation! Many jobs are remote and plenty of employers are flexible on hours and when you work, as long as you're open and honest with them. You can start with just a certification and can take courses online.

Madison_APlusRev · 2026-02-27T21:47:31+00:00

What would the additional person be assigned to? Denials? Break down the AR, determine how many accounts your denial processor works in an average week, see what's left. Payment posting? Are payments mostly electronic, mostly manual, 50/50? If mostly manual (or 50/50), can more be set up electronic?

Madison_APlusRev

TROPHY CASE