The power of the group is amazing and should not be underestimated. When attempting a CCS, which anyone who has will tell you is a daunting process, it helps to have others going through the same effort at the …
read more »The process of preparing for the CCS is daunting. So much to learn! So much to memorize! It can be achieved, hundreds do each year, but …
read more »Having taught CCS Exam Prep for many years, I see three keys to CCS success. The keys are …
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CDIS are key team members of any hospital’s revenue cycle operation. CDIS ensure that the provider’s documentation captures all clinical information completely and accurately. The documentation must then be translated into codes in accordance with the conventions of the classification and the Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, in order to be processed for data and billing purposes.
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by Mary Beth York, CCS, CCS-P Senior Associate at Barry Libman Inc. and Libman Education The CCS exam tests your acute hospital inpatient and outpatient coding skills at a mastery level. It is recommended (but not mandated) that you have at least three years actual hospital inpatient and surgical outpatient coding experience. The successful candidate […]
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by Mary Beth York, CCS, CCS-P, CIC It is helpful sometimes to think of coding as a language. The language consists of the ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and CPT code sets primarily. This language of coding has rules, similar to grammar, that govern how it is used and applied. It also has inconsistencies and internal conflicts, much […]
read more »by Mary Beth York, CCS, CCS-P, CIC Sitting for a coding credential is exciting! Knowing what to expect before you go in to the test center will help you marshal the butterflies and focus on being successful. If you haven’t already, a great place to start is AHIMA’s Candidate Guide updated for 2019. Since […]
read more »Mock exams for coding credential exams have become increasingly popular as a way to ensure that the credential candidate is truly ready for the exam. Let me offer a few tips to help you decide which mock exam is right for you:
read more »by Mary Beth York, CCS, CCS-P, CIC The CCS exam tests your acute hospital inpatient and outpatient coding skills at a mastery level. It is recommended (but not mandated) that you have at least three years hands-on acute hospital experience coding inpatient and outpatient records. The successful candidate will also demonstrate proficiency in anatomy and […]
read more »by Mary Beth York, CCS, CCS-P
I recently had the opportunity to work with a team of Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) Specialists to help them prepare for the CCS … Read more
read more »My advice: study your guidelines; know them inside and out; know how to …
read more »I love to hear from former students! After our time together during the exam prep I miss them. I heard recently from one such student, “By going through the class and passing the CCS, my confidence and quality in my coding has improved tremendously!”
read more »There are several reasons why a CDIS should consider earning their CCS: …
read more »by Mary Beth York, CCS, CCS-P, CIC Earning your CCS is a hugely ambitious goal. It takes planning and real effort. Having taught CCS Exam Prep for many years, I see three keys to CCS success. The keys are foundational knowledge of the code sets, in-depth knowledge of the guidelines, and comfort in using the […]
read more »Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists (CDIS) are often clinicians and well versed in the language of medicine. I recommend that CDI Specialists need also to master the language of coding, in order to …
read more »I heard recently from a former (successful!) CCS Exam prep student to report that she is doing very well. “Since obtaining my CCS I still work at the hospital full time and have also been working part time remotely for over a year now and loving it! Having my CCS certification has …
read more »The lesson, I hope, to be drawn from this one person’s experience is that it takes time to reach your goals. We all know someone who passed the CCS without work experience but taking shortcuts may shortchange you in the long term. I believe it is the combination of …
read more »by Mary Beth York, CCS, CCS-P, CIC
During the CCS exam, follow these basic coding steps for each and every diagnosis and/or procedure code assignment. Failure to follow these steps can and will result in an incorrect code assignment. Read more
read more »by Mary Beth York, CCS, CCS-P, CIC
I recently heard from a CCS Exam Prep student of mine. She emailed to tell me that she had successfully passed the CCS exam. “I took the Intensive CCS Exam Prep class and I am happy to report that …” Read more
read more »by Mary Beth York, CCS, CCS-P, CIC
The fundamental goal of the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) coding credential is to demonstrate mastery of acute hospital inpatient and outpatient coding skills. This is not for novice coders! Experience in applying codes is critically important to your likelihood of success. Read more
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