Speed Hacks for Medical Coding Certification Exams - Finish the CPC FASTER

Contempo Coding
18 Nov 202115:05
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRVictoria, a medical coder and educator, shares valuable tips for increasing speed and productivity in medical coding exams, specifically the CPC exam. She emphasizes the importance of practice with mock exams, understanding the structure of coding books, and using tools like rubber fingers for faster page-turning. Victoria also suggests using different colored highlighters for organization, a dull pencil for filling in answer grids, and earplugs to block out distractions. She advises on strategic reading of exam questions and case notes, and recommends resources for improving reading speed to enhance overall coding efficiency.

Takeaways
  • 🚀 Practice regularly with mock exams to improve speed and efficiency in medical coding tests.
  • 📚 Review rationales for missed questions to absorb and understand mistakes for future improvement.
  • 🥾 Use tools like rubber finger grips to flip through pages faster during exams.
  • 🖌️ Employ different colored highlighters to organize and quickly reference different sections or concepts in study materials.
  • ✏️ Use a dull number 2 pencil for filling in answer grids or bubble sheets more efficiently.
  • 🎧 Consider using earplugs to minimize auditory distractions during exams.
  • 🎮 Listen to video game music with rapid beats to potentially increase productivity and work speed.
  • 📑 Develop a tabbing strategy for coding books to quickly locate necessary information during exams.
  • 🔍 Know the structure of your coding books to efficiently locate information when needed.
  • 📈 Read the exam questions first to understand what to focus on while reviewing the case notes.
  • 👀 Improve reading speed through tutorials and courses to enhance overall coding speed.
Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the video?

    -The main focus of the video is to provide tips and hacks for increasing speed and productivity, specifically for medical coding certification exams like the CPC exam.

  • Who is the speaker of the video?

    -The speaker of the video is Victoria, a medical coder auditor, educator, and content creator.

  • How long was Victoria's CPC exam when she took it?

    -When Victoria took her CPC exam, it was 5 hours and 30 minutes long.

  • What change was made to the CPC exam regarding break times?

    -The break times during the CPC exam no longer stop the clock, and an additional 10 minutes were added to the exam duration, making it 5 hours and 40 minutes.

  • What is one tool recommended to help flip through pages faster?

    -One tool recommended to help flip through pages faster is small plastic rubber fingers that can be bought online.

  • What type of pencil is recommended for filling in answer grids quickly?

    -A dull number 2 pencil is recommended for filling in answer grids or bubble sheets quickly during exams.

  • How can ear plugs help during the exam?

    -Ear plugs can help during the exam by reducing noise distractions, allowing the test-taker to maintain focus.

  • What is one strategy mentioned for improving overall productivity?

    -Listening to video game music with a rapid beat, such as old bubble bubble type music, has been proven to increase productivity and help work faster.

  • What is the significance of knowing the structure of your coding books?

    -Knowing the structure of your coding books helps you locate information quickly during the exam, saving time and increasing efficiency.

  • What tip is given for tackling long surgical or office notes during the exam?

    -The tip given for tackling long notes is to read the answers or the question first to understand what is being asked, and then focus on the relevant information instead of scrutinizing the entire note.

  • How can increasing reading speed benefit medical coders?

    -Increasing reading speed can benefit medical coders by allowing them to read through records and case notes faster, which in turn enables them to code more quickly and efficiently.

Outlines
00:00
🚀 Tips for Increasing Speed and Productivity in Medical Coding Exams

The video begins with Victoria, a medical coder auditor and educator, addressing viewers concerned about completing their medical coding certification exam on time or looking to increase productivity. She shares her hacks for improving speed, particularly for the CPC exam, and provides an overview of the exam structure and timing. Victoria emphasizes the importance of practice, using practice exams, and understanding the exam's guidelines. She also shares personal experiences with the exam and offers advice on how to manage time effectively during the exam.

05:00
📚 Tools and Strategies for Efficient Medical Coding

In this segment, Victoria discusses various tools and strategies to enhance the speed and efficiency of medical coding. She mentions page-flipping aids, colored highlighters for organizing information, and the choice of writing instruments for exams. Victoria also suggests using earplugs to minimize distractions and shares her views on tabbing strategies for coding books. Additionally, she introduces two notational techniques (BAT and CHUN) that help coders quickly navigate through their books during the exam.

10:01
🧠 Mastering Medical Coding Books and Reading Speed

Victoria concludes the video with advanced tips for mastering medical coding books and improving reading speed. She advises on knowing the structure of coding books, using annotations for quick reference, and strategizing on how to approach different types of questions. Victoria suggests reading the questions first to understand what information to focus on from the case notes. She also emphasizes the equal weight of all questions and the importance of not skipping questions on the answer grid. Lastly, she recommends tutorials and courses to increase reading speed, which can significantly impact coding speed.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡CPC Exam
The CPC (Certified Professional Coder) Exam is a certification test for medical coders. It assesses their knowledge and skills in coding medical diagnoses and procedures. In the video, the speaker discusses strategies to increase speed and productivity specifically for this exam, highlighting the importance of practice and familiarization with the exam structure and content.
💡Productivity
Productivity in the context of the video refers to the efficiency and effectiveness with which medical coders can complete their tasks, particularly in relation to the CPC exam. The speaker provides various tips and hacks to improve productivity, such as using tools to flip pages faster and listening to video game music to increase focus.
💡Practice Exams
Practice exams are mock tests that simulate the actual CPC exam's format and content. They are crucial for preparing for the real exam as they help medical coders familiarize themselves with the types of questions and the exam's structure. The speaker emphasizes the importance of using practice exams to improve speed and accuracy.
💡Medical Coding
Medical coding is the process of translating healthcare services and diagnoses into standardized codes for insurance billing and record-keeping purposes. The video discusses various strategies to improve speed and efficiency in medical coding, which is the core skill being tested in the CPC exam.
💡Rationales
In the context of the video, rationales refer to the explanations provided for the correct answers in practice exams. Reviewing these rationales helps medical coders understand their mistakes and learn from them, which is essential for improving their coding skills and exam performance.
💡Tabbing Books
Tabbing books is a technique used by medical coders to quickly locate specific sections or information within coding manuals. This method involves marking the edges of pages or sections with colored tabs, making it easier to navigate through the book during the exam or while working.
💡Highlighters
Highlighters are used to mark important information in study materials, such as coding manuals or practice exams. In medical coding, they can help distinguish between different types of codes or conditions, making the study and review process more efficient.
💡Dull Pencil
A dull pencil is recommended for filling in the answer grid or bubble sheet during the CPC exam. It is preferred over a sharp mechanical pencil because it fills in the bubbles more quickly and reduces the risk of tearing or damaging the answer sheet.
💡Ear Plugs
Ear plugs are suggested as a tool to minimize auditory distractions during the exam. They can help maintain focus and concentration by blocking out noise from other examinees or the surrounding environment.
💡Reading Speed
Reading speed refers to the pace at which an individual can read and comprehend text. In medical coding, faster reading speed can lead to quicker analysis of medical records and more efficient coding. The video suggests that improving reading speed can enhance productivity and performance in the CPC exam.
💡Book Strategy
Book strategy refers to the methods and techniques used to organize and navigate coding manuals effectively. This includes understanding the structure of the book, using tabs, and notating in a way that aids quick retrieval of information during the exam.
Highlights

Victoria shares her best hacks for increasing speed and productivity in medical coding exams and general practice.

The CPC exam duration has increased from 5 hours and 30 minutes to 5 hours and 40 minutes, with break time not stopping the clock.

Online examinations, as of the recording date, only offer the CPC exam and do not allow for breaks.

Practice is key to improving speed and productivity in medical coding, similar to training for a marathon.

Utilizing tools like rubber fingers can help flip through pages faster during exams.

Highlighters can be used strategically to differentiate and quickly locate specific information in the coding books.

A dull number 2 pencil is recommended for filling in answer grids faster than a mechanical pencil.

Ear plugs can help reduce noise distractions during exams.

Listening to video game music can increase productivity and work speed.

Tabbing strategies for coding books can improve efficiency in locating information during exams.

Understanding the structure and layout of coding books is crucial for quick reference.

Reading the answers first can help focus on relevant information when dealing with lengthy exam questions.

Skipping questions on the exam means also skipping the corresponding spaces on the answer grid to avoid marking errors.

Some coders prefer to complete the exam sequentially, while others may choose to tackle easier or preferred sections first.

There's a misconception that more difficult questions are at the end of the exam, so it might be beneficial to review the exam booklet beforehand.

Working on increasing reading speed can lead to faster coding, with online resources available for improving this skill.

Transcripts

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Medical CodingExam StrategiesProductivity HacksCPC ExamVictoria's TipsPractice ExamsStudy ToolsTime ManagementCoding CertificationEducational Content