MEDICAL CODING BOOK TABBING FOR CPC EXAM - Tutorial for tabbing CPT and ICD-10-CM manuals

[@ContempoCoding]

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[@littlepeppers3]

I start at the back and move forward because I find it makes it easier to line up tabs without leaving gaps or overlapping them too much.

[@ContempoCoding]

Nice. That's a smart tactic!

[@tammyleigh6447]

same here :D makes it much easier to stagger them and see where to go.

[@Graydreamer8543]

Thank you for this advice so much!!!!!! I just did this and my cpt book is sooo excellent and well organized

[@dawnadams7967]

Just started my coding class yesterday (Mon). This video was really helpful.

[@aprilbryant8308]

I just checked out your merchandise!! I am definitely ordering me a few things as a graduation gift to myself! Cool stuff love the caffeine ones! Haha.

[@phxfarmer4844]

Finally your helping this stuff stick

[@marybrandenburg2766]

loving the beverage option! Thank You for all your help

[@phxfarmer4844]

I need this in my life they have me the book first page lots of tabs no explanation

[@darkblu5058]

Great info on possible ways to tab! Thanks so much!

[@amyfiske9817]

So helpful. I'm going to watch again about glue gunning the spiral. So many pages have fallen out as soon as I got the book. I left the blank tab page in the book so I can use the non shiny side for notes. Thankyou

[@alphacodingexperts1837]

This episode was awesome 😊!!! Your books look so pretty now 😉

[@ContempoCoding]

Yay, thank you!

[@GlimpseInside]

Accidentally hit thumbs down & quickly corrected it to 👍!! TY for all you share!

[@NicolleMarie83]

Wat are the best tabs to use for the ICD-10 book? if you could give me a link that would be great! thank you.

[@ContempoCoding]

MedicalCodingTabsCo on Etsy - www.etsy.com/shop/MedicalCodingTabsCo

[@meredithapter7883]

For the CPC exam, are you allowed to use tabs in your from amazon to direct you to modifier section, appendix L, etc? Thank you for this video!

[@amykingsbury4478]

Excellent idea on the glue, drives me nuts when my pages get unraveled.

[@user-jd2cj6oq4h]

On Amazon which tabs did you order

[@inhumANthropoid]

Take the national on Dec 3rd... I'm breezing through my Continuing Education courses at Community College... just really don't want to pay to take the test again

[@mattisonfinley1798]

What are some examples of “notes” that we should/can write down?

[@ContempoCoding]

Abbreviations, terms, what procedures might want you to code additionally for. CCO.us has some great tactics, especially the BHAT technique for marking up your book. You can find some KZbin videos on that or check out their website for information on their trademark notation technique.

[@jamielewis4632]

I just started this course and it seems like a lot to learn in short time frame and it sucks trying to ask questions to the instructor because they want email to look professional. Instead of just letting me ask the damn question. Like I know how to do that but I don't have time when I trying to get all the assignments done and trying to make sure I actually learn eomething

[@lauriemajdanski8894]

Did I miss the link to the tabs? I can't seem to find it.

[@onewomansjourney760]

I ordered tabs for all 3 of my books off of Etsy & they're already labeled & come with instructions on which page # to place each tab. They are also colors to match the colors for each chapter & section. I'm very detailed & these are best in my opinion. I didn't like the tabs that came with the books. I find it extremely helpful after tabbing. Especially as a student & new coder.

[@ruthchrisvasquez9765]

Could you share which specifically you bought? Im interested on doing the same! Thank you

[@jazminonassis7306]

Link?

[@lunaenpiscis4304]

Hi @onewomansjourney760 can you please share the link? Thanks! :)

[@peggyseeling7622]

In one of your videos you showed how to fix the spiral part of the book and had a link I believe to purchase something to put on the end of the spiral part. My pages keep falling out of my book!

[@peggyseeling7622]

Does anyone know what video that might have been? Im going crazy trying to study and my pages in my cpt book are coming out of the spiral!!!!

[@tmerrigan14]

Why do I have like 8 green tabs left over with no category for them? Examples:Vacc, Allerg, Psych, Dialy, Endo, Health Behav, Gastro, Pulm??

[@mrosario9063]

Those are for your medicine section.

[@Itsmarynotmurray]

Nice! Will you do video of a close up of your tabs? Like how you label them and everything:)

[@ContempoCoding]

Hmmmm... I don't think I'll be doing that. But I do have the list of what tabs I write out in the comments section.

[@Itsmarynotmurray]

Oh.... thanks

[@ContempoCoding]

If I do another tabbing video, I'll try to include that portion on the next one!

[@anushrimadviya5157]

@@ContempoCoding I wish if I am able to see close up in video or just a close up picture for reference 😬

[@NicolleMarie83]

what is the best medical dictionary? I need to order one. What do you suggest?

[@McChuch1]

I love your videos I’ve subscribed to you and appreciate all that you give out with your information and knowledge but I have a question… how to you help those that are at the tail end of their schooling and feeling like they didn’t retail anything and could very well fail their exams… I also don’t know which one to take.. people at work say thanks the CCS exam cause it’s better money and higher credentials but it’s a harder test I’m so scared I wasted all my inheritance and won’t have anything to show for the last year of schooling!! Please help

[@rackelt.2150]

Hello I have a question do you have to buy new books every year?

[@ContempoCoding]

There are significant changes from year to year. Medical coders obtain new books annually either by purchasing them or having them provided by their employer.

[@jeanellewelch731]

Hi There! I really appreciate all the helpful information here on how to tab. Do you have any recommendations on coding the 2020 AMA ICD-10-CM PCS manual? I would appreciate any input! thanks :)

[@britneychafton2758]

Hello I was wondering if you know if there is Tabs for The CPC 2024 book also it's a greenish book

[@debperez9929]

Are there any rules for the actual notes that can be written in the CPT or ICD-10 books?

[@ContempoCoding]

www.aapc.com/certification/faq.aspx "Handwritten notes are acceptable in the coding books only if they pertain to daily coding activities. Questions from the Study Guides, Practice Exams or the Exam itself are prohibited. Tabs may be inserted, taped, pasted, glued, or stapled in the manuals so long as the obvious intent of the tab is to earmark a page with words or numbers, not supplement information in the book. Altering, whiting out, painting, or printing over any pages within the code books (e.g., marketing pages, table of contents, reference pages, etc.) to supplement information is prohibited. No materials (other than tab dividers) may be inserted, taped, pasted, glued, or stapled in the manuals."

[@debperez9929]

Thanks so much for the response! Greatly appreciate it.

[@ContempoCoding]

No problem!

[@Rhanyra]

Hello, I am a brand spanking new medical coding student. I received my ICD 10/CPT books in the mail but my God. It's like reading another language. Do you happen to have any videos that explain how to locate things in the icd10 for example? I cannot find an index! It goes straight from millions of codes to 2 appendixes.

[@sinsincity7567]

for the exam, can the books have sticky notes?

[@ContempoCoding]

Sticky notes are not allowed per the AAPC guidelines. "Handwritten notes are acceptable in the coding books only if they pertain to daily coding activities. Questions from the Study Guides, Practice Exams or the Exam itself are prohibited. Tabs may be inserted, taped, pasted, glued, or stapled in the manuals so long as the obvious intent of the tab is to earmark a page with words or numbers, not supplement information in the book. Altering, whiting out, painting, or printing over any pages within the code books (e.g., marketing pages, table of contents, reference pages, etc.) to supplement information is prohibited. No materials (other than tab dividers) may be inserted, taped, pasted, glued, or stapled in the manuals." Ref: www.aapc.com/certification/faq.aspx

[@jyothiprasad9122]

Hi I watch your videos regularly. I’m preparing for my cpc. I came across a question . What code would you report for aspiration and injection of ganglion cyst to bone of left great toe. Could you please guide me . Thanks a lot.

[@SJM-29]

Perfect 👌😊

[@ContempoCoding]

Thank you, Seno!

[@julieparker8553]

Question Question During exam can you have xtra notes in your manual books ???

[@ContempoCoding]

"Handwritten notes are acceptable in the coding books only if they pertain to daily coding activities. Questions from the Study Guides, Practice Exams or the Exam itself are prohibited. Tabs may be inserted, taped, pasted, glued, or stapled in the manuals so long as the obvious intent of the tab is to earmark a page with words or numbers, not supplement information in the book. Altering, whiting out, painting, or printing over any pages within the code books (e.g., marketing pages, table of contents, reference pages, etc.) to supplement information is prohibited. No materials (other than tab dividers) may be inserted, taped, pasted, glued, or stapled in the manuals." Ref: www.aapc.com/certification/faq.aspx

[@melmo6235]

Is there a place where we should take our old (previous years) coding book. I could never imagine throwing them out!

[@ContempoCoding]

Some colleges and school will take the old coding books so they can be used for students to practice with.

[@melmo6235]

@@ContempoCoding OK cool, thank you!!

[@maikale9826]

Which pages are these appendices locate in? I can't find them in the AAPC ICD 10 2021 or AAPC ICD 10 2020 book. Please provide the page in any book. Thanks. Apx A - 3 char. Codes Apx B - Pharmacology Apx C - Z code for long term Rx Apx D - Only 1st / Principal Dx Apx E - CMS-HCC Apx F - CMS QPP

[@ContempoCoding]

There's many different versions of the ICD-10-CM book so page numbers will be totally different depending on the version you have.

[@ContempoCoding]

The AAPC version may not have those appendices.

[@maikale9826]

@@ContempoCoding Thank you for clarifing.

[@AW72785]

Victoria - I saw another person say 'no handmade tabs'...does this mean like the physical tab, using cut up post it's or scotch tape to make tabs? I bought a TON of tabs off amazon and I write my things on them (ex: Integ might contain Excisions, I&D, Pilonidal, closures, etc) and put those in my CPT book also. Is this a no-no? Can I ONLY use the tabs that come with the book?

[@ContempoCoding]

The "No handmade tabs" is only for AHIMA exams. Are you taking an AHIMA exam? If so, this is where you can find the reference for that in the candidate guide on page 15 - www.ahima.org/media/mhjapwhx/revised-candidate-guide-8-6-2020.pdf

[@AW72785]

@@ContempoCoding thank you for such a quick response! I am hoping to sit for my CPC toward the end of July. Side Note: You. Are. AMAZING. I just finished an A.A.S. in HIT and I know it wasn't strictly a Coding program, but I feel SO much better about taking my CPC since my friend/classmate told me about you! I have been binge watching you more than ANY netflix show has ever been binge watched!

[@jamielewis4632]

This isnt the solid tumor rules book. Can you make a video how to tab that one

[@ContempoCoding]

I've never even heard of that book.

[@mw7185]

Can you please post a video on how to use your site step by step. I got my cpt book now where do I go for the next step

[@kellichaapel2980]

I will be sitting for my exam hopefully by June of this year. I’m going to be purchasing books within the next week or so. The CPT has to be AMA correct? I agree with you the ICD 10 through Optum looks so much easier to navigate so I will defiantly get that one. Is the CM for physicians expert the one I want? Does my HCPCS need to be AMA as well

[@keerthanasprakash359]

Where is the anatomy portions? Is it separately in the first

[@mayraz7436]

I was told that the only version that can be used was the AAPC version of ICD10 book.

[@ContempoCoding]

Not for the CPC exam. It must by the AMA edition ONLY of the CPT book but you can use any ICD-10-CM or HCPCs book version you want. You can verify that information here on the AAPC exam instructions. Second page, the box on the right of approved books: cache.aapc.com/cache/pdf/proctor-to-examinee.pdf

[@jlouis5217]

We were told the only books you should be studying out of and purchase as well as the exam itself is the AAMA books.

[@jlouis5217]

I'm sorry you are correct. It looks like that's the only version around you can buy anyhow.

[@veronicaishii1923]

Hey! Any further info on the rubber ends for the spiral binding? I'm googling and can't figure out where to find those.

[@heatherkassin6885]

I wound a tiny hair elastic at the end of each spiral and that worked

[@MC-rq9bz]

Do you have any recommendation on what is the best colored gel pens to use in my CPT book that does not leave a shadow on the back of the paper and does not bleed?

[@emilyg5931]

I love the .4 ultra fine flair pens

[@peggyseeling7622]

Im currently enrolled in a condensed Medical Billing & Coding classes at my local community college. Our books are 2021 by PMIC. Are these allowed to take for exam? Will you have a video on helpful ways to tab these books for national exam?

[@ContempoCoding]

I've not specifically used those book versions. For AAPC you can only use the AMA edition of CPT for the exams, but any version of ICD-10-CM or HCPCS. AHIMA has an approved book listing on their website, so if you're taking an AHIMA exam, you'll need to reference that list.

[@aselaresendiz1955]

Your video it's really helpful!! Are the tabs that you include allowed to take the cpc exam?

[@ContempoCoding]

Yes of course!

[@jessijones4013]

Should you tab your book differently for the CRC exam?

[@hannahlovett9614]

When did you take your CPC exam? I am about to graduate and then take my certification exam and I am struggling. Any tips? Can you use sticky notes as tabs?

[@bkmonishagandhi9909]

thnks so much I appreciate it

[@ContempoCoding]

You bet, Monisha!

[@katreselindsey5462]

Do you think it would be ok to use clear book tape on the edges of the pages before the exam to reinforce the pages? My pages are ripping around the edges and it is driving me crazy!

[@michaelvaughan9157]

Do you answer question by this formatt please

[@ContempoCoding]

Yes, as I can as time permits. But answers are not instantaneous.

[@maryellent.3831]

Any updates for Allentown chapter? Thanks!

[@ContempoCoding]

Not yet! Speaker lined up for Sept but still pending approval and trying to work out another exam for the Fall.

[@dejaburnett7911]

Hey are we allowed to use the big blue ICD-10-CM Code book for the CPC exam?

[@jhoanamarie674]

Hello,I just started class for coding,can I use those transparent post it to write my notes?instead of writing directly in the book?

[@ContempoCoding]

Not if you're planning to use them for a certification exam such as the CCA or the CPC -- there are no post-its allowed in your book for testing purposes.

[@jhoanamarie674]

@@ContempoCoding Thank you.So,just the tabs and handwritten notes on the book are allowed?

[@check1024]

I am going to take my AAPC CPC certification exam in a few months. Are we allowed to use a different ICD-10-CM books , like the Optum360 or the AMA version aside from the AAPC version?

[@bannette123]

In the ICD-10-CM, where is the appendix?? You have several tabs listed for Apx A-F and I don’t understand where they are. Are they called something else?? Help :) I’ve just gotten my books and finished tabbing them (minus that) Ps - thank you SO much for your videos. They are so helpful!

[@1preciouspamm]

thumbs up! certainly for the "handy beverage" of choice while tabbing! I had to lol ;-)! Also, certainly appreciate your tips. I am a #newbiecoder (lots of medical background experience) and find that I need tabs for starting out.

[@realtalkwithAwani]

Thank you so much

[@ContempoCoding]

You are very welcome!

[@michaelvaughan9157]

How hard is it to keep up with government new guidelines please

[@ContempoCoding]

That is extraordinarily subjective. It's a regular monitoring of updates through email subscriptions to payers and continuing education.

[@la9229]

Loved your video ! I had a question Would the HCPCS need tabbing system ?

[@ContempoCoding]

You can but considering there's only 5 questions on the CPC exam about HCPCs codes, most people don't. If you use them a lot because you deal with DME or something, then it might be worth it.

[@kiara198923]

I purchased 980 tabs for no more than $8 dollars. Also some pamphlets on medical terminology & codes which were $6.95. The only thing I forgot is a SHARPIE smh.. Is the ICD-10-CM 2020 book still valid? The school provided us with those. It's so confusing. Any tips on understanding it better?

[@ContempoCoding]

AHIMA I think still allows testing with the 2020 books through the end of this month. AAPC changes based on calendar year so they're already testing with 2021 books. They'll still allow 2020 but there's a bunch of code changes every year.

[@vickyreyes3861]

I didn’t get to see the names of the tabs

[@ContempoCoding]

They're all listed in the video description.

[@mmm8547]

why is aapc so picky about some stuff like post it notes? They are concerned about you writing things on them and "cheating"? There are many completely blank pages in my books to write stuff and that is perfectly acceptable to do, which in theory allows people to "cheat". They have no issue with that though, right? It just seems weird they have such a rule when you can write anything you want in all of the empty spaces in these thousands of pages between these 3 books but a big no no are post it notes which you can hardly write much on anyway

[@honeyyork1337]

Heard you say about not being able to have notes in your book. I know someone who took a test and I’m not sure if it was for medical coding or medical billing. They were allowed to have an entire page of notes inside their book. Are we allowed to have any notes or anything written inside of our books?

[@Strawwbelii]

She said you “CANT” have sticky notes on the books but you “CAN” write notes on them. Sticky notes are not allowed nor loose paper on them for the exam

[@kiara198923]

I def need to start tabbing my book. I'm 4'11 so when I take the exam I'm going to need a rolling backpack because the books are super heavy! I'm currently at Penn Foster for medical billing & coding. My completion date is July 16th BUT I have sickle cell disease which is excruciating as far as pain. Luckily the school is self paced. We take the CBCS exam at the end of the program. Next, I want to prepare for my CPC, any suggestions on a good school/program regarding the CPC? I've checked out AAPC & UMA. I was thinking about going back to my state college to finish the 5 classes I have left on my degree once I complete the medical billing & coding program I'm in now.

[@SonalPatel-zo9nq]

🌈🌈🌈 brite books!!

[@ContempoCoding]

Way more colorful than I'm used to!

[@rain4325]

I wish you didn’t speed up the process of tabbing through your CPT manual. I got so lost and I had extra taps that had things on them like Card, Ophth, daily, Etc. I wasn’t sure where I should put them, I have never tabbed books before. Love the video but for newbies like me, I sure wished that you went slower and took more time and stated/showed where to put the tabs. Thank you.

[@jlouis5217]

Why do you tab your index because the questions where the answer is a code(s) you're going to have where to look without having to look anything up in the index.

[@ContempoCoding]

I personally don't tab since I took my exam. Some people tab for faster use when looking up in the index, and y'know, use their book for more than just answering questions on the exam.

[@allieiacobelli]

7:10 (ignore this ty!)

[@elleoliver8842]

This video was not helpful ! You did a good job on the ICD 10.

[@ContempoCoding]

You're in luck, there's a new one coming on Thursday.

[@evebalocca1424]

Are these allowed for the CCS exam with AHIMA?

[@ContempoCoding]

I've heard varying answers so I really can't provide a definitive one -- I would recommend you contact AHIMA directly with your question.

[@evebalocca1424]

@@ContempoCoding I would say to contact the testing center because AHIMA was not helpful. AHIMA gave contradicting answers as opposed to the testing center. AHIMA said to use tabs provided with the book, but ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS do not have tabs (my books do not) so asked about making own index tabs. They said no. I called a local test center, they told me for the CCS, these tabs are fine. They also said transparent plastic post it notes that stick to the page are also okay to use, just not paper. So again, think it depends on what the testing center allows at this point. Thank you for your reply back!