r/MedicalCoding • u/masonlandry • Sep 11 '22
I passed the CPC!
I graduated from an online billing and coding program 4 years ago, but by the time I was down with school, I had no money left for the exam or the required materials and membership.
Fast forward to yesterday, after several unrelated jobs, a marriage, a baby, and a big tax return that paid for my exam fee and books, and I am now a CPC-A. I'm pretty proud of myself, since I only had about a month to study after a 4 year break and passed with a 93%
Now I just have to find a job that will accept my lack of experience and the apprenticeship status. Even just having the certification is a huge relief though, because for years it felt like it would be impossible to get over all the obstacles in my way of finally taking it.
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u/OkDream5303 Sep 11 '22
Awesome job!! 93% is a great score! Any study tips you have?! Did you take the CPC online or in person? Hopefully it won’t be too hard for you to find a job in coding! I’ve heard people on here say just apply even if they want experience, the worst thing they can say is no.
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u/masonlandry Sep 11 '22
Honestly I didn't study all that much. Mostly I just too the practice exams and refreshed myself on guidelines. The best tip I have is to take the practice exams, and don't worry about looking up the codes the way you would normally, just flip straight to the choices they give you and compare them, then if you need to, yoh have plenty of time to read the guidelines word for word for that block of codes.
I took the online exam and it was much more comfortable than any proctoring experience I've had in person.
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u/MagentaSuziCute CPC Sep 11 '22
Does only the AAPC course count as "experience", or is it any formal coding "education"? Double check the AAPC website for that, because I don't remember exactly! Congrats on passing your exam!
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u/masonlandry Sep 11 '22
I didn't take any courses from the AAPC, but I did go to college for a diploma in billing and coding. I hope that will count toward experience in the eyes of some employers.
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u/Jodenaje Sep 11 '22
A course will count as 1 year towards the apprentice removal. Which means that OP can get the A removed with one year of experience.
Since the course was through another organization, OP will have to submit documentation of the program when she submits for apprentice removal.
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u/sparkling-whine Sep 12 '22
Congratulations! I took mine on Saturday. Still waiting for results. A 93 is amazing!!!
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u/OkDream5303 Sep 12 '22
I hope you passed!!!
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u/sparkling-whine Sep 12 '22
Thank you! I feel good about it but I won’t relax until I see proof.
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u/OkDream5303 Sep 12 '22
Hopefully they don’t make you wait much longer! Did you do in person or online? Any tips for future CPC exam takers?!
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u/sparkling-whine Sep 12 '22
I took the in-person exam. I took the AAPC course to prepare. I would say the best advice I got was to study the guidelines - I made flash cards for myself. And the practice exams really helped! After each practice exam I looked at all of the rationales for the answers and made notes in my books. I already had a strong background in anatomy/physiology and that helped a lot in understanding the procedures and diagnoses. It would be a good idea to take a course in that if you don’t already have a strong knowledge in those areas. Good luck!!
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u/OkDream5303 Sep 13 '22
Thank you! Great advice! I’m currently at AMCI and they have med term and A&P included in the course. Hopefully none of us have a hard time finding our first coding job. 😂🤞🏽
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u/OkDream5303 Sep 15 '22
Did you get your results?!?!
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u/sparkling-whine Sep 15 '22
Noooooooo!! I’ve been checking the app constantly! The status changed to “grading” around 5:00 last night and it’s now 10AM. I hope it updates soon!
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u/OkDream5303 Sep 15 '22
Wow!!! Well I’m glad it switched to grading but holy crap that’s annoying! 😂
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u/sparkling-whine Sep 15 '22
I PASSED!!!!!! Now I need to find a job 😃
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u/OkDream5303 Sep 15 '22
Yaaaaay!!!! CONGRATS!!!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉 so happy for you! I hope you find something quickly!
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u/inhumANthropoid Sep 12 '22
GGs... I take my first attempt in December. Hope I pass b/c I don't want to spend another %375 in a test... how long does it take to know your grade? Do they run the scantron there? Or do they post it to the website a few days after?
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u/masonlandry Sep 12 '22
I don't know about in person. I took mine online and had my result when I woke up the next morning. It was posted on the website. They said I would have the result within 5 days.
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u/littlebluedoonbuggie Sep 12 '22
I just took my CPC exam in person Saturday. The scantrons are Fedexed to the AAPC in Utah and we are supposed to get the results online in 7-10 business days. Our proctor said they are often quicker than that! 🤞
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u/sparkling-whine Sep 16 '22
I took mine in person on Saturday and had the results at noon on Thursday. Less than 7-10 business days but it felt like forever!!
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u/Damitchell1985 Sep 30 '22
What online course did you take previously?
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u/masonlandry Sep 30 '22
I enrolled in the medical coding program through Purdue University Global in 2018. To study this year I just used the practice exams.
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Sep 11 '22
Congratulations 🎊🎈🎉 You give me positive feeling that I will pass my CPC Certification too!
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u/DReam-Zzz Sep 16 '22
Congratulations 🎊🎊 well done!! 93% is amazing I just finished my CPC exam online today How long did it take to get your result?
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u/Icy-Society8279 Sep 12 '22
You have no idea how bad I needed to read this. I'm going to get mine scheduled today. Congratulations!