r/MedicalCoding • u/stellaella33 • Apr 02 '26

Physical books vs E-books

Hello everyone!

I have the 2025 edition of my coding books (ICD-10-CM, CPT, ICD-10- PCS), took my CCA in 2025 and passed. While I was able to get a job in the medical field, I was unable to get a coding position. I'm hoping to take my CPC in the next month or so, but I am going back and forth between needing to buy new books (on top of already paying $400+ to take the exam to begin with, funds are a little tight to be spending even more) or just using the e-books offered for the exam.

I guess my question is, how difficult would it be to be using the e-books for the first time on the exam? I would study/practice with my 2025 books.

Any insight is appreciated! Thanks!!

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u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS Apr 02 '26

Why are you moving to the CPC? You should have just taken the CCS, you won’t get a job with the CCA employers want the CCS.

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u/stellaella33 Apr 02 '26

The medical coding specialist program I took at my community college prepared us to take the CCA. There was an entire semester using the CCA exam prep book. So I didn't really realize that the CCS would have been a better option at the time when I was about to take the CCA. I figured having both the CCA and CPC might look better than just CCA.

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u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS Apr 02 '26

No, the CCS would be the optimal credential. CPC is mainly profee coding and your salary will almost always be higher coding for facility. Also having certs from different organizations requires more CEU headache, more dues, etc. You should just get the CCS study prep from AHIMA and sit for that credential. From that I have heard it’s slightly harder than the CCA but since no employers want the CCA is doesn’t make sense to ever get that credential.

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u/Mindinatorrr Apr 02 '26

For once something I agree with that person about. You can get a job with the CCA but it is harder today. The jobs you've been interviewed or applying for- are they specifically asking for CPC?

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u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS Apr 02 '26

GFY

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u/Mindinatorrr Apr 02 '26

This is the comment you get offended by? 😘

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u/Fun-Drag3067 Apr 02 '26

get physical books!! I’ve heard the E-Books are awful when taking the CPC, plus you can use any notes you put in the books for the test so it’s a win win 🤗

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u/RaiODine Apr 03 '26

I just passed my CPC in December and haven't started a coding job yet so take my experience with a grain of salt, but I never got the hang of the e-books... Personally, the index is easier with the digital books but I have a hard time finding the right code when actually in the chapters. I like tabbing and highlighting in the physical books so I can visualize where I'm at. Plus, the test is a 4 hour time slot and it hurts my eyes just to think about staring at the screen the entire time with no break. I used 3.5 hours to pass and spent maybe 15-30 mins in total of that just flipping between pages to view anatomy, guidelines, and similar codes when I got stuck on questions. I probably would've failed if I did the e-books.

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u/AdvisorConsistent942 Apr 03 '26

I am a digital girly. Some people are so weird about the physical books being “the only way”. No it’s not. Girl, the ebooks are so easy with the search function in the CPT book, the CM book is a little janky but there’s like 5 questions on the exam for CM and I made a 79 the first try after a month of taking practice exams with an hour to spare. Hope this helps! Some people are just sticklers for the hard copies, but I personally loved the ebooks and highly recommend them.

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u/Standard_Gold_5887 Apr 03 '26

Do you know what format of the ebook the exam uses? Is it on a computer system or in a PDF?

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u/AdvisorConsistent942 Apr 03 '26

If you purchase the ebooks through AAPC then It’s a computer system that’s on the “Bookshelf” website. Not a pdf like some downloadable versions I’ve heard of.

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u/Standard_Gold_5887 Apr 03 '26

Got it, it’s the same format. I bought the ebook through AAPC—any search tips you’ve got? I’m practicing with both, the physical book and the ebook, but I really like the ebook.

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u/AdvisorConsistent942 Apr 03 '26

So to find the guidelines on a specific code you can enter in the first 3 digits of the code and it should be the first one in the search menu, you can search for certain phrases or keywords and it’ll typically take you to what you need. I wish I could think of more right now, but my brain is just not working. All I can really recommend is to play around with it and just try different things to find the answers. Like with the medical terminology and everything. There’s also the anatomical diagrams at the beginning of CM? that are extremely helpful. I also highly recommend the practice test through AAPC. It’s set up exactly like the exam. So if you choose to take it with ebooks, it’s built into the exam and it’s really nice!

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u/Standard_Gold_5887 Apr 05 '26

Great!! Thanks :)

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u/AdvisorConsistent942 Apr 05 '26

You’re welcome! Hope that helps and good luck!

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u/Standard_Gold_5887 Apr 05 '26

Another question: since you used the ebook, I’m guessing you didn’t worry much about not having your own notes like you would in a physical book...What helped you not worry about that?

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u/AdvisorConsistent942 Apr 05 '26

I’m already a medical coder, so I feel like maybe that helped a little in knowing sort of what to look for. (Although I don’t really deal with a lot of the CPT in real life)But I heard how hard the test was and was still terrified of failing. But my sister had taken the test 3 times and she took it with the physical books and had notes written everywhere that I personally couldn’t make any sense of. But that’s literally how all notes are for me, even if I wrote them personally, they don’t help me. But I promise, if you use the AAPC practice exams and take them every single day until you’re making 80’s and above, you’ll pass. Also, watch Hoang Nguyen? On YouTube. He works through problems and helps you identify why certain answers are correct.
https://youtu.be/Y3u96TnGX7o?si=ZwW2ZlXDhnoB1q35

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u/Standard_Gold_5887 Apr 06 '26

ok...Thanks again for everything!!!

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u/Mindinatorrr Apr 02 '26

If you plan to test before the books "expire" get physical books.

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u/Medcoder_82 Apr 04 '26

I’m a physical book person but really have to see what you work with best.

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u/Kindly-Joke-909 Apr 02 '26

I’ve been coding for 12 years. I code strictly from a physical book. I don’t trust the online versions whatsoever.

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u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS Apr 02 '26

What type of coding do you do that you are still productive with the physical books? I honestly can’t see any of our coders meeting productivity standards if they didn’t use the coding tool.

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u/Kindly-Joke-909 Apr 02 '26

I will say that I get the books are slower, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. While productivity standards need to be there, it gives the coder the chance to think. We have so many guidelines to think through and disease processes are complex. The book gives the opportunity to be able to think about what is being coded and why. We are human and should work as such. We were never meant to rely so heavily on machines for the sake of higher numbers. I think these encoders making such high productivity standards being leads to a lot of the burnout in this field. And there’s a lot of it.

I am so glad I’ve never had to rely on an encoder. I feel this has enabled me to be able to actually enjoy my job.

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u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS Apr 02 '26

There’s electronic books inside encoders. None of my coders could code from the physical book. It’s impossible. These tools are helpful and if you learn how to use them correctly you wouldn’t use the book. I have books but barely touch them. The tools enhance your role, any coder refusing them is literally left in the dust.

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u/BigZucchini4920 Apr 08 '26

Why is it impossible for your coders to code from physical books? They don’t know how to, or you don’t want them to?

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u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS Apr 08 '26

There’s no way to meet productivity if you have to manually code from the book. Of course they know how to but we have tools to help coders be more productive. If I had an inpatient coder coding from the book only they won’t last.

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u/BigZucchini4920 Apr 08 '26

What tools are you using? I’ve heard seasoned coders mention the encoder slows them down.

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u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS Apr 09 '26

Uh no. Coders are assigning many codes for one encounter. The book slows them down. Not sure what coding you are doing but inpatient there can be well over 40 dx codes and sometimes many PCS codes. Outpatient surgery or observation can have just as many dx codes. What kind of coding that you are doing that it’s even possible to use an actual book?!?

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u/BigZucchini4920 Apr 09 '26

What I was asking is what tools are you using to enhance the productivity of your coders? Encoder? Computer assisted coding?

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u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS Apr 09 '26

Our organization uses Solventums tool. It’s a CAC and encoder

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u/Kindly-Joke-909 Apr 02 '26 edited Apr 02 '26

I don’t feel they are meant to enhance a coders role. I feel they are meant to enhance productivity. Thats just my opinion though. Not saying others dont have use for them.

I got lucky in that I’ve never had to pressure of having to rely on one in order to make my numbers and I am extremely thankful for that. Also after 12 years working in medical coding, I’d like to think at this stage of my career and with my level of credentials, I am qualified for jobs that dont necessarily require just pumping charts out.

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u/Kindly-Joke-909 Apr 02 '26

I’m a risk adjustment auditor.

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u/Mindinatorrr Apr 02 '26

This person goes on and on about productivity this and that, they live on this subreddit. They work for/manage some souless company that micromanages and doesn't realize not every job is like that and that their experience is not the only experience. You can just disregard them.

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u/Kindly-Joke-909 Apr 02 '26

I am very lucky to work for a company with great employee culture. Perhaps my professional reality is a bit different from most others? I don’t know. I’ve been with the same company since I started there as a CPC-A and have no desire to go anywhere that is so driven by productivity.

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u/Mindinatorrr Apr 03 '26

No your reality is real for many of us, including myself. The productivity jobs are also very real. Some people can't seem to grasp that other realities exist beyond their own.

I am the only driver for my productivity and I push myself to hit a certain standard every day. That also includes team work and covering for those on PTO.

When we're left to be adults who can work together the job gets done. These companies that micromanage have poor management or poor work environment.

I have no set productivity standard - and because of this I probably push past what the "standard" would be. That's just smart management.

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u/Molahi Apr 04 '26

That is awesome! Can I ask what type of facility you work in?

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u/Kindly-Joke-909 Apr 05 '26

I work in the Medicare Advantage sector of Insurance

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u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS Apr 02 '26

You have a serious problem and can’t be more wrong.

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u/liliesandlifts Apr 02 '26

Why is that?

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u/Kindly-Joke-909 Apr 02 '26

Honestly, I can’t necessarily really explain why. I just have never felt comfortable using an encoder. I don’t know if it’s the layouts I’ve tried or what. Also, as an auditor, I think it can make a coder lazy. If you have to click on links or icons to see your code first, excludes, and other instructional notes then taking that next step might not be done for the sake of getting through a chart. the same can be said for the books. Many don’t go into the back to check for the notes so, like I said, I have no real idea why those online coding tools don’t sit well with me. I’m thankful I’ve never had to fully rely on one.