by Mary Beth York, CCS, CCS-P, CIC AHIMA announced that the CCA, CCS, and CCS-P certification exams will continue to test on the 2019 code sets until June 14, 2020 instead of updating to the 2020 code sets as originally planned for May 1, 2020. CCS and CCS-P 2020 Beta testing will also be postponed […]
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by Mary Beth York, CCS, CCS-P, CIC AHIMA announced that beta versions of AHIMA’s CCS and CCS-P certification exams will launch on May 1, 2020. The beta testing process is used by AHIMA to ensure the validity and reliability of new questions on the CCS and CCS-P exams. AHIMA requires a significant number of people […]
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 »by Mary Beth York, CCS, CCS-P, CIC AHIMA has announced that the new Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) certification examination will be available starting May 1, 2020. The new CCS exam features a revised “content outline blueprint” and scoring. The blueprint was developed by AHIMA based on job task analyses conducted in 2019. The multiple-choice portion […]
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 […]
read more »by Mary Beth York, CCS, CCS-P, CIC After months of anxious waiting on the part of CCS candidates, immediate scoring is now available. Immediate scoring became available for test-takers starting August 9, 2019. For those who took the CCS exam May 1 through August 4 there is still one more step in the process that […]
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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 »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 »by Mary Beth York, CCS, CCS-P, CIC AHIMA has announced the end of the beta period for the 2018 Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) and the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) coding credential exams. Immediate scoring will now be available to candidates upon completion of the exam. During the beta period, candidates do not receive immediate results […]
read more »I am often asked by prospective CCS candidates: “When is the CCS exam changing to reflect the new codes?” Great question. First a little background.
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 […]
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