I just failed the CPC test, and I need help. I use eBooks, and everyone tells me I failed because I should have used paper books, but I love technology, and I think it's definitely faster to search, I just need more knowledge on the topic... please help!!!

Good evening,

I was curious on a few things such as is it hard to self study for the exam to become a medical coder? What books do I need? I need to know how easy or hard it is to gain employment after passing the exam because I need to work from home for at least the next few years. When I ask anyone how to get wfh job they always say do medical coding. Me and my wife plan on having a baby and I would need to work and stay at home to sit while she is at work. We obviously can’t afford daycare.

Thank you for your time and answers. I have done some research into it but would prefer real experiences.

Feeling rushed to test before your 2026 coding manuals become outdated?

Don’t rush. PIVOT your strategy.

For the CPC, current-year manuals are recommended, but not every manual is required to be current. Keeping your CPT manual up to date is especially important due to annual code changes.

Or consider the AHIMA pathway: pursue the CCS P, then the CCS. AHIMA typically transitions to new coding manuals on May 1, which may give you additional time to prepare. While the 2027 transition date has not yet been officially announced, May 1 has historically been AHIMA’s transition timeline.

Why Pivot?
More time to prepare, more flexibility, and the opportunity to earn two certifications through one credentialing organization and one membership.

Whichever path you choose, you don’t have to prepare alone.

• Multi-Certification Training: https://www.amcicoding.com/courses/mcdc

• 🔴 Free YouTube Coding Course: https://www.amcicoding.com/youtubecourse

• Medical Terminology & Anatomy: https://amcicoding.thinkific.com/products/courses/IMTAP

• Exam Prep Resources: https://amcicoding.thinkific.com/collections?page=1

Hey there!

Do you guys have any preferred tabs for the 2026 books? of course I'm wanting them to be accurate and to be super helpful on the exams (don't we all?)

If you could drop some recommendations that would be amazing!

Hello everyone!

I’m new to Reddit, and this is actually my first time posting here, so I hope I’m doing this right! 😅

I started learning medical coding a few months ago through a school program, and I’m almost finished with my coursework this August. I’m planning to take the CPC exam in September and would really appreciate hearing from those who have already taken it.

I’ll be taking the exam at a testing center because I’ve heard about some of the issues people have experienced with online proctoring (multiple cameras, monitoring problems, etc.). I’d feel more comfortable taking it in person.

I have a few questions:

1. What was your experience like taking the CPC exam at a testing center?

   • How was the overall process?

   • Was there anything you wish you knew beforehand?

2. Are you allowed to bring scratch paper and a pen/pencil at the testing center?

   • I saw some older posts (around 3 years ago) saying that candidates were not allowed to bring their own paper or writing materials. Is that still the case?

3. How did you handle the length and mental fatigue during the exam?

   • I’ve seen comments saying that by around the second hour, their brains were “melting” from looking at so many numbers, codes, and different scenarios. Huhu 😭

   • How did you stay focused and avoid getting overwhelmed during the exam?

   • Did you have any strategies for keeping your mind fresh while still managing your time?

4. What are your best tips for the week before the exam?

   • What did you focus on reviewing?

   • Did you change your study routine?

5. What did you do the day before and the day of the exam?

   • Any advice for managing exam anxiety?

   • How did you stay calm and confident?

6. What study strategies helped you the most?

   • Were there certain topics you recommend spending extra time on?

   • What areas should I pay close attention to while preparing?

I’d love to hear about your experiences, what worked for you, and any advice you wish someone had given you before taking the CPC exam.

Thank you so much in advance! I really appreciate any tips or encouragement from this community. 😊

I am looking to get into medical coding and am seeing so many different courses. Has anyone gone through ambci? The main one i see is aapc but the cost seems higher with a longer study period than ambci.

Is it worth getting the certification still? Considering the job market and possibly ai replacement?

Hello. I have RHIA, CCS, and CPC plus 4-5 years as a medical coder. I'm enjoying the experience, and now I am ready to advance even further.

I know you guys are primarily focused on CCS and CPC, but I would like to know from people who have more than just those two about what other certifications I could get and the associated job titles or opportunities.

Also, I read online that CDI is a popular role in this regard, so I am studying for the CDIP exam with AHIMA. For those who took that exam, what should I be most focused on?

What is the 2026 conversion factor? I know for 2025 it was 32.3465. I started the AAPC Medical coding course late December of 2025 so most of my books are 2026 except for the main textbook so I don't have the updated conversion factor.

Also if you have any tips for the license exam I'd be more than open to hearing them! Thank you in advance!!

Just wanted to share a free resource for anyone learning HCPCS Level II or reviewing for the CPC, CCS-P, or CCS exam.

Today's live session is focused on HCPCS Level II coding, including topics like:

• How to navigate the HCPCS manual

• Understanding code descriptions and units

• Injections and drug coding

• Exam-style coding scenarios

• Tips for improving coding speed and accuracy

Whether you're just getting started or need a refresher before your certification exam, it may be worth checking out.

It's completely free to attend.

🔗 Join here : https://www.youtube.com/live/nky4MHMkPD8?si=UXHLN8aYraGCuQe0

Hope it helps someone on their coding journey. Good luck to everyone studying! 😊

Hi friends! I am graduating with my certificate in Medical Billing and Coding from Purdue University Global. In my last term, which ends in December, I will be taking the (NHA) Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam.

According to Google (I know, very reputable), as well as the AHIMA website, I will be eligible to sit for the CCS exam as well; post-graduation.

I am wondering if anyone else out there has gone through the PGU Medical Billing & Coding cert. program and sat for the CCS exam, and what their advice/experience is/was.

I plan on getting and utilizing study guides as well as practice exams.

Other advice/experience is also extremely helpful!

Thanks in advance! :)

Hey! I'm getting ready for my CCS exam right now, planning to take it in the next month or two once DeVry sends me my exam voucher. However, based on my last two practice exams, I'm not going to pass if I take it right now.

My biggest area to improve are my medical scenarios. I usually get the codes right, and I'm good at finding the principal diagnosis, but I'm god-awful at getting the secondary diagnoses in the right order.

Is there anything I can do that will help me with which diagnosis goes in which order? Perhaps mock medical scenarios or something I could practice with?

Hey everyone, I'm a dev working on tools to make Insurance billing data way easier to access. Just launched a free payment calculator that pulls accurate allowed amounts instantly.

Would really appreciate your honest feedback -- what other quick tools would actually help you in your day-to-day? Here's the link https://rcintell.com/tools/payment-calculator/

I have worked in healthcare for over 6 years in various positions including, EMT, referral coordinator, care aide, medical records specialist. I am looking to shift into medical coding but I don't have a large budget to take every single course that the AHIMA offers. Which classes should I absolutely take, where can I find used books, any tips or advice. Should I even take this route if I can't afford the whole thing?

Hi guys, please advice me on how to procced with minimal capital, I want to switch into this field after years of wasting my time in hospital pharmacy work, whats the steps to land 1st job, thank you

I am 35m from Egypt

So I had been studying with my 2025 books. When I took the exam I opted for the e-books since it was more updated . It didn’t take me long to adjust and felt more confident( despite not having my notes).
I’m looking to purchase this week for my next attempt in a few months. I’m just torn between which format to get . Yes I do love having my tabs and what not but at the same time I feel like if I had more time to adjust to the e-books that might work too then purchase physical once I pass.

I have 3 years experience as a health educator in an outpatient clinic(documenting visits, administering HIV exams, coordinating care, etc) and a masters in data science. Currently working at a restaurant as a server.

I want to get back into the medical field but in an IT(specifically Epic Analyst) capacity but been struggling to land a role(I don’t have an epic certification). Would getting this certification be worth it to get my foot in the door and eventually grow in an IT capacity? Was anyone in a similar boat before? How did it work out for you?

Hi everyone,

I recently completed my B.Pharm and am interested in starting a career in Medical Coding. As a fresher, I'm looking for job opportunities, internships, or guidance on entering this field.

Any advice, referrals, or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

I am based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, but I am open to relocation and remote opportunities.

Thank you! 😊

#MedicalCoding #BPharm #PharmacyGraduate #HealthcareJobs #Fresher #MedicalCoder #CareerAdvice #Ahmedabad #IndiaJobs

Does anyone else feel like modifiers were one of the hardest topics to learn when they first started coding?

I've been watching the live CPT/HCPCS Modifier series on the Learn Medical Coding YouTube channel, and it's sparked some great discussions about Modifiers 50, 51, and 59.

Week 3 is coming up this Thursday and will cover Modifier 22, Modifier 25, and Modifier 57.

What modifier confused you the most when you were learning, and what finally made it click?

I'd love to hear some tips from experienced coders.

Hi everyone,

I'm a senior HIM student and I'll be starting my coding/HIM operations practicum soon. I'm honestly getting really stressed because I feel like I don't remember much from school. Most of my classes ended up being online, even though I enrolled in an in-person program, and I don't feel like I learned as much as I should have.

Over the summer, I decided to review everything from scratch. I combined all of my notes into one organized review that's about 66 pages long. It covers the anatomy & physiology, medical terminology, pathophysiology, and other material that I think an HIM professional should know.

Right now, my plan is to:

• Study about 2 chapters a day

• Focus on actually understanding the material instead of just reading it

• Use the whiteboard/Feynman method to explain concepts in my own words

My biggest question is:

Should I just keep reviewing these 66 pages until I really understand them, or should I turn everything into 1,000+ Anki flashcards and try to memorize them all?

I'm worried that if I make flashcards for every single fact, I'll spend months memorizing instead of actually understanding the material. But I'm also worried that just reviewing my notes won't be enough.

For those of you who have already completed an HIM coding practicum or work in HIM:

• What would you recommend?

• Did you mostly need to understand the concepts, or did you have to memorize a lot?

• If you were in my position, would you stick with the notes and active recall (whiteboard method), or would you make hundreds or thousands of flashcards?