That CCS examination for medical coding certification includes of fill-in-the-blank and multiple choice questions which are based on those medical terminologies and also the coding examples. Also, there are questions on pharmacology like drugs and the conditions in which they are prescribed to treat.
When you are planning to take such CCS examination, then you need to have a really basic paper in hand. You will need that high school diploma or such equivalent such as the GED. Aside from that, you need to have a minimum of 3 years experience in the hospital setting coding for various kinds of outpatient and inpatient cases.
Moreover, it is also recommended that you are really proficient in pharmacology, anatomy and also the disease processes. You also like to have that demonstrated proficiency in abstracting the important data from the records of the patient. The CCS Exam Prep can assign procedure codes and hose supporting diagnosis codes. Due to this, healthcare providers really depend on such competent coders in reporting data used for the reimbursement.
Moreover, those CCS Exam Prep agencies and the different research organizations are making use of the data obtained from the coding patterns in knowing such developing needs of the industry. For this reason, your coding would have lasting effects that go beyond the reimbursement for that provider.
These are the other things that you must know when preparing for the CCS examination. One is the cost and this is at around $299 to $399. Moreover with the number as well as types of questions, you must know that the CCS exam actually consists of 81 multiple-choice questions. The 18 questions are referred to as pre-test questions. They are not counted in the score but they are actually used to evaluate the usability of the test. Aside from those multiple-choice questions, the test would also include the fill-in-the-blank portion which would consist of the medical record cases which you must answer.
Also, you have to know that the CCS test would last four hours and there are no breaks. So you can ease up on the coffee and ensure that you really take the time for using the restroom prior to going into the exam room.
There are several resources that you may use during the test. You may use those approved books which are listed on the AHIMA site but you may not use any type of coding software, so you should leave it in your house. Moreover, there are other things which are not permitted like the cellphones, purses, drinks or food or other electronic devices.
For you to be able to have the test, you must have the two forms of signed identification. One of which should have your picture. You may have the military ID, valid driver’s license, passport, credit card, debit card, Social Security card and others. Be sure to check out this website at https://www.britannica.com/topic/test-of-teaching-knowledge for more info about exam preparation.
After taking the test, you will have to wait until the test results are released and the times can also vary. You may contact AHIMA so that you will be able to know of the estimated turnaround time.
