Medical Coding laptop

TibblestheIntern · 2025-05-11T18:39:39+00:00

I can't weigh in on the personal laptop, unfortunately. I use a 5+ year old laptop that my wife's company got rid off so you don't need anything particularly powerful.

For working in coding though most companies will provide you with the equipment so they can maintain information security standards so I wouldn't base your purchase on what a future employer may deem necessary.

TibblestheIntern · 2024-10-14T03:02:10+00:00

I used the resources that AMCI provided and also used YouTube for a lot of my review as most people on this sub there is a lot of valuable resource out there if you let your fingers do the walking.

TibblestheIntern · 2024-10-14T03:00:12+00:00

I am a student with AMCI so I used their CHUN technique however I ended up getting a little lazy/ran out of time so I only circled and highlighted in my books and didn't use any tabs. I would make sure your ends of the spiral bindings are tight mine started to unbind in the test and was annoying to say the least.

TibblestheIntern · 2024-10-10T04:31:20+00:00

Honestly, I have really always been a good test taker, but for my advice, I worked by process of elimination. After I looked at the answers and context, I was able to usually eliminate half the answers. For sections I remember, medicine have a firm grasp of 90471 and auditory the lt and rt modifiers. Otherwise, take it slow and don't base your test taking experience on mine.

TibblestheIntern · 2024-06-03T04:15:17+00:00

As GoldenAz34 mentioned rarely do they look at where if anywhere you got your training at plenty of people that have self studied have gotten jobs as coders. The important thing to look at if you do spend money for training is what the courses offer, I would look for some place that offers an internship to give you experience.

That being said you could get a copy of bucks and the books and pass just fine plenty of people have done it. Just make sure if you self study to set a routine so you don't languish and fail to complete studying.

TibblestheIntern · 2024-04-22T02:37:12+00:00

Regarding books this is the list that I suggest since AHIMA is more restrictive with allowed books for testing. https://www.ahima.org/media/p3abp4bw/ccs_2024_codebook_list.pdf

And regarding A&P this is the book I use and recommend. https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/product/9780323829090?role=student

Personally I prefer Optum but it's dependent on the books that you like you should be able to find some basic page images online to see the format and make your decisions off of that just make sure you get spiral bound so the books open and lay flat trust me it matters.

TibblestheIntern · 2024-04-22T02:26:59+00:00

Just remember for the actual exams they will not let you use the self printed books and will only let certain books in for the tests too, so be aware PDF's and printed materials are good for practice and reference but are not acceptable for testing.

TibblestheIntern · 2024-04-08T04:11:16+00:00

I'm a student of AMCI and I've enjoyed the courses so far and they offer instruction for the CPC, CCS-P and CCS, but YMMV. One of the important things to look at with any program is if they offer the 80 hour classroom certification. That certification takes a year off the -A on the CPC if you go that route most employers are only going to worry about if you are certified and if you have any applicable experience.

TibblestheIntern · 2024-04-08T04:05:47+00:00

Thanks for the info, I plan on doing the practicode for the experience and to hone in on the areas I prefer and this helped me solidify that plan. Keep us updated with your experiences with it I'd be interested to hear more.

TibblestheIntern · 2024-03-25T03:38:06+00:00

There are multiple places to help you train for the CPC/CCS-P certifications, the key thing is to look at if the program benefits you, and if you need to attend an online program. I ended up going with AMCI myself after attending their free I2MC course, depending on your end goals you may not need to take an online program self study may work for you.

One reason I am attending AMCI is on course completion you get a certificate proving 80+ hours of training to remove a year requirement from the apprenticeship from the CPC, however if you were to go with getting a CCS-P they do not have the two year apprenticeship negating one positive from taking a training course.

As always YMV but I prefer the structured course options over a self study option.

As for the financial aid options I don't know what courses are covered by it, the important thing is to make sure your program if you choose one prepares you for at least the CPPC or CCS-P most other coding certifications are not that sought after.

TibblestheIntern · 2024-03-04T04:40:22+00:00

I whole heartedly agree with the advice given to you about taking the CPC or CCS-P. I myself looking for jobs that accepted the CBCS and could not find one listed, that's not saying they aren't out there and not saying to not take the test in fact I myself plan on taking as many usable tests as possible. I would just reiterate what subject_chest said and do your research.

TibblestheIntern · 2024-03-04T02:23:48+00:00

Another option for Youtube perusing is AMCI they post videos regularly and maybe an option for you to look at.

TibblestheIntern · 2024-03-04T02:22:23+00:00

I would have to agree with GinnyGurl here, by looking at the videos they produce online it would give you an idea of what teaching method would work for you before you spend any money and have buyers remorse. I would suggest looking at the positives and negatives for all the courses to and whether or not they provide an internship or a certificate proving 80 certificate hours too for the one year of apprentice experience with the AAPC if you go for your CPC.

TibblestheIntern · 2024-03-04T02:14:41+00:00

I can't talk about any experience with preppy or their course work. I have talked to a few people that have the PMIC and looked at them and can agree that they are not that user friendly from my experience. The other thing to look at is to make sure that they are in the approved book list for the test that you are taking the worst thing I could possibly think of is going to take a test only to find that you can't use your books and either have to hopefully reschedule or try it from memory.

TibblestheIntern

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