Q&A ICD-9 VS ICD-10 (2013 or 2014 Certification)

[Sally Holland]

If I am planning on taking the CPC or CPC-H exam this year. Will I still have to be recertified again next year for ICD-10? I have heard several members state that it is mandatory for everyone and is offered online without being proctored. Would you advise that I just wait and take the exam next year with all of the upcoming changes. Some members are saying that it might not occur in 2014, due to the expense of the software for providers. Any advice would greatly be appreciated! Sincerely, Sally

 

[Carolyn Heath]

All AAPC certified coders will have to take a proficiency assessment test for ICD-10. You will have two years--October 2013 to September 2015--to take the exam. It is 75 questions, unproctored, and you can use any resource available. It costs $60. If you don't pass the first time, you will have a free retake. I highly recommend that you go ahead and take your certification exam as planned this year and all you need is to take the ICD-10 exam next year. I hope that I have answered your question and Good Luck on the exam. Happy Studying and Coding!

 

[Alicia Scott]

Carolyn is correct. Do NOT wait if you can learn ICD-9 that is best because it is not going away. For several years you will need to do both. Things like workman's comp will stay in ICD-9. Physicians will want people who can do both.

 

[Sally Holland]

Thanks for clarifying the matter, Carolyn and Alicia! I have had prior experience as a biller, insurance clerk and medical office specialist. I have done inpatient/outpatient and medical/surgical physician office based coding, but have been employed in the retail/long term care pharmacy billing field for the past several years. I wasn't aware of what to expect with the approaching changes in the coming year. Hopefully, I will be able to pass my exam on the first try. I have heard so many people say that time was an issue and they didn't pass the exam on their first attempt. I have been trying to take the practice exams beforehand. Wish me luck and thanks again for your valuable advice!

 

[Alicia Scott]

It sounds to me like you are doing everything right. You have a plan and are working it through. The practice exams will really help. When are you testing?

 

[Sally Holland]

It sounds to me like you are doing everything right. You have a plan and are working it through. The practice exams will really help. When are you testing?

Thanks, Alicia, I am planning on registering for the exam this year if possible. I am taking practice exams and quizzing myself beforehand though. I just want to make sure I am prepared before spending a lot of money towards taking the exam. Thanks for your input and valuable feedback. It is greatly appreciated!

 

[Alicia Scott]

Any additional advice I would give is that if you can't get 80-85% on a good practice exam then you need to consider the Blitz. The Blitz is not only going to help you with knowing your manuals inside and out it will allow you to increase your speed.

 

[Sally Holland]

I have heard a lot of good things from people who used the Blitz Videos to review before taking their exams. Most of them passed on their first attempt. I haven't seen any of the videos, but it seems like a very wise investment. I have been considering it. There have been so many changes in the healthcare field and now with Obama Care being implemented, the need for professional coders is on the rise again. Thanks for your invaluable knowledge and genuine concern. It is greatly appreciated!

 

[Alicia Scott]

Here is a quick link for the Blitz and other products if you decide you want to invest in it.
CCO Products

 

[Sally Holland]

Thanks, Alicia. I also entered the contest for the monthly webinar to try to win the Blitz Videos. I don't know what the odds are of winning, but I hope and pray that they are in my favor. Thanks again for your expertise and best wishes always!

 

[Alicia Scott]

Someone wins every month.

 

[Sally Holland]

Thanks for letting me know!

 

[Sally Holland]

Alicia, you did an excellent job delivering information to everyone on the webinar tonight. I just wanted to say thank you again for answering my question. There are so many upcoming changes taking place in the coding profession. Now, I can be more prepared and know what is expected in the upcoming years. I wish Laureen the best of luck on her exam in Pennsylvania, but I know she probably won't need it. She seems to be such a great inspiration to everyone. I look forward to corresponding with you in the near future.
Sincerely,

Sally, CPhT

 

[Sally Holland]

Alicia, you did an excellent job delivering information to everyone on the webinar tonight. I just wanted to say thank you again for answering my question. There are so many changes approaching in the coding profession. Now, I can be more prepared and know what is expected in the upcoming years. I wish Laureen the best of luck on her exam in Pennsylvania, but I know she probably won't need it. She seems to be such a great inspiration to everyone. I look forward to corresponding with you in the near future.
Sincerely,

Sally, CPhT

 

[Carolyn Heath]

I totally agree with you, Sally. Alicia did an excellent job doing the webinar by herself. I am sure that Laureen will have plenty to say about the ICD-10 exam at next month's webinar.

 

[Sally Holland]

I'm so glad that Laureen will be able to update and keep us all informed about the ICD-10 exam. She always does her research and completes here own homework before trying to teach someone else about it. At least you know it is from a reliable and knowledgeable source. I totally agree with you too. Alicia did an outstanding job and should be commended for a job well done. :0

 

[Sally Holland]

Oops, sorry about the duplicated answers. My computer has a mind of it's own tonight!

 

[Alicia Scott]

Thanks Ladies. It was not the way we planned it but I think it turned out alright. The CCO team just gets better and better. I think it helps we all like what we do. Ok, who are we fooling, we are passionate.

 

[Sally Holland]

Alicia, you did a wonderful job improvising on such short notice. I really enjoyed the webinar and look forward to attending the next one. Will I receive a reminder again for next month or do I just need to check back and register again? You have such a positive attitude. We need more people like you in this world to aspire others to believe in themselves and what they can accomplish through positivity. Thanks again! I hope you have a terrific weekend and week ahead!

 

[Alicia Scott]

Well thank you very much Sally. I think it went off well because we have such a great team at CCO. When we run into a glitch everyone else rallies around. Plus again, we like each other and what we do. That always helps. I do try to stay positive because people get discouraged. It is not easy to get a new job in coding but it is doable. You have to work hard and market yourself. Make those connections and also stay positive.

You should get a reminder for the next webinar but just remember they are always the 3rd Thursday of every month. If you don't get one that week then I would check in and confirm you are on the list. We don't want to have you in the system multiple times but it is always good to check in.

Thanks for joining us and I look forward to seeing you in future webinars.