CPT Manual Bubble and Highlighting™ Technique Explained

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CPT Manual Bubble and Highlighting Technique Explained
The second part of the question was about our bubbling and highlighting technique. That is a proprietary teaching method in term. It’s been trademarked of mine and CCOs and its licensees. It’s a very integral part of our method of teaching especially for the CPT manual. Alicia said she uses it more for the ICD-10 now, so it will be interesting to see how it morphs into that new manual. And it really helps you understand how to really compare the neighboring codes to each other.
Let me show you an example here. This is just a page from my CPT manual, the very beginning of the surgery section. This one is a little less scary when you first look at it. But all I do, all I teach is that you will bubble what I call the parent code, so you see fine needle aspiration here, 10021. It’s capitalized, and then below it, indented, in lower case “with imaging guidance.” Then, there are some parenthetical notes below it and it moves on to the next section.
So this is a group, so I just circle, put a bubble around it. Then, what I do is I highlight everything and I pick one color. I always use pale yellow, every year I’ve been doing it since 1999. Then I save other colors for other things that I want to bring to my attention. But if I see pale yellow, I know that this is the portion of the code that comes after the semicolon, because when you’re flipping really quick on a stressful board exam or even in real world coding, sometimes it’s hard to see that little semicolon.
What it means now is 10022 with imaging guidance, this yellow part replaces the yellow part above. So, if I was to type this out fully, 10022, it would be “fine needle aspiration with imaging guidance.” And now this bubble gives you a nice little place to write a keynote, something, like, what is this bubble about? It’s about FNA. Then, I’ll underline the key words that make the two codes, or however many notes, within the bubble, stand out. It’s a timesaver especially on the board exam.
Read more here:
www.cco.us/cpt-manual-bubble-...
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[@lovehopesdream]

Why aren't the coding books automatically made this way? It makes so much sense

[@saratams1635]

I've been doing tons of research; preparing for my class to start in 2 weeks. This was an AWESOME video!!!! Thank you for sharing.....it's like a lightbulb went off. I'm definitely planning to do this method. I'm a TERRIBLE test taker so I really think this will help me tremendously when I go to sit for my exam (Nov/Dec 2022). Thank you for sharing!

[@TAMMYLONG4525]

This is an awesome technique and exactly what is needed to pass the certification exam. I will test in November and have no concerns because I was well prepared with Laureen's system and other ideas I added along the way to enhance the process specific to what I needed to learn! You will not regret the decision and there is no one that offers support like CCO and CCO students!

[@laureenjandroep4546]

Thanks Tammy! Be sure to share your story at cco.us/bhat and be in the drawing to win a free CCO mug or tote.

[@danielpascuas431]

Just gold, thank you so much this helps

[@contrarianaquarian]

this is really an amazing idea thank you!

[@CDKing503]

Thanks Ruth. I had always been told other

[@AmberCeleste__]

love it

[@CristiSomething]

When they check your books before the CPC exam do they allow this? I know they say certain highlighting is okay but no specific notes. My book is completely blank because I am so scared I’m going to add something to the book that disqualifies me from taking the test

[@destinywilliams9508]

Please see if Alicia will do a video showing how she bubbles and highlights the ICD-10 code book

[@CCO]

+Destiny Williams We've been working on this and will be released so via our ICD-10 Blitz reviews and courses. Make sure you're on our insider list to be the first to know cco.us/insider --Laureen

[@nicoletice8493]

Hello! Can I still purchase the bubbling method video? If so, where do I go? I know this will be very helpful for my exam. Thank you!

[@official_adan]

I have the same question as others...is there still a way to purchase the complete bubble and coding video?

[@elianeliana704]

How can I buy the video to look at your book?

[@lmzm7861]

How can I get the videos? My CPC Exam is on November 18th 2017 I want video before that please

[@ericawilliams358]

How do I purchase to see entire cpc book highlighted?

[@barbarabell5381]

Hi I’m Barbara and I will be taking my CCA Exam in September. I have not had much help from my college and I am wondering if someone can let me know: Which is the best route to go - outpatient, inpatient, hospital, or physician office or a medical coding company that just does medical coding for all types of providers. I want to eventually be able to work from home. I don’t even know what is the best route to go when I am just starting out. Any advice or ideas? Thanks!

[@lilcountryfuker]

Do you have a similar technique for the ICD-10 coding book or even the HCPCS book?

[@CCO]

Yes for the ICD-10 - you can read about it at cco.us/bhat

[@michellemccarthytager9457]

How do I buy your video?

[@lotusconsultant2119]

MAM..... MY sister failed in CPC 2017 feb... she is writing in march 2017... she score only 50%... need you r guidance how to pass second attempt. because my freind failed with only 1% in the exam so u can imagine the condition. he said he was attempted 140 out if 150 with confidence but still failed second attempt. please guide how to over come and is really tuff exam please reply

[@JennCrafts]

Where do I sign up to get the video of your CPT book ? Not looking for full class just membership for cpc blitz for the CPT video. Thanks

[@CCO]

We do not offer a CPT video any more due to AMA copyright claims. We provide the BHAT® Method as a PDF system at www.cco.us/bhat/ inside the CCO Club www.cco.us/club/

[@nkechiodukwe492]

How much is the BHAT? how can i purchase it

[@CCO]

If you've already taken a medical coding course, you can get the BHAT™ system with our CPC Review Blitz at www.cco.us/medical-coding-certification-cpc-review-blitz/. If you're starting out and need to learn medical coding from scratch, it's included inside our full Medical Coding Course at www.cco.us/medical-coding-course-online/..

[@irav82]

Are notes like this allowed on CCS exam?

[@CDKing503]

+Irina V AHIMA does not allow you to write in your book or highlight or anything

[@ruthsheets899]

+Irina V www.ahima.org/~/media/AHIMA/Files/Certification/Candidate_Guide.ashx Download this document, AHIMA CANDIDATE GUIDE, you will see on page 12: "• Code books with handwritten notations, or comments are allowed but must be free of any notes containing coding rules and guidelines from other reference materials (for example, Coding Clinic, CPT Assistant, and similar materials). No handmade tabs will be allowed. Post-It® Notes and any loose materials are not allowed (code books are for use on CCA, CCS, and CCS-P exams only). The testing center staff reserves the right to deny code books that contain excessive writing and information that may give the candidate an unfair advantage."

[@laureenjandroep]

+Ruth Sheets Thanks Ruth!

[@CDKing503]

I was always told you can't but good to know they are wrong

[@CDKing503]

Looks like the no tabs part was correct though.