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I don't know the answers to all of your questions, but I do know one thing for sure. It is normal to have all of these questions. Maybe someone will be able to write from their own experience.

Donna:  I, too, began singing those blues in Module III.  Couldn't wait to finish, but then when I got to Module IV, I also felt like I didn't know what I was doing.  Geez, I had done so well on the other modules, what was happening?  I'm learning to let go at this point. Some days I just have to leave the problems alone and come back.  Then about a week or so ago, I got re-energized and started working on them.  I guess it paid off because my grade was better on the next exam so I think it is all falling together even with my being over-critical of myself.  I'm still nervous about the CPC exam, but I'm finding that the lessons and exams all build on themselves, so I think I will be ready.  So, just hang in there; it does get better!

I so do not know what I'm doing with the CCW exams in this module.  I'm working on Exam 4 and feel like I'm swinging blind.  I don't even want to contemplate the CPC exam at this point.  

I read the exercise, write down what I think needs to be coded, but after my experiences with the exercises before the exam, I have no idea if I'm on the right track or not.  So very discouraging to feel this inept :)

It is normal for something new to feel a little overwhelming at first, and coming from the relatively easier earlier modules where you're learning how to use the individual code books to a module where you have to pull it all together and start coding from more information definitely is going to be a system shock!  That said, there is a difference between being a little overwhelmed with some trouble at the beginning of a module and struggling to the point where you are drained and upset even further into the module.

Your instructors should be along shortly to give some general advice here.  For more specific advice about your particular books and assignments, you may want to post your questions in the Coding Module III Discussions forum instead, since this particular forum is open to the entire school.  That restricts how much help and advice an instructor can offer, since it could confuse students at an earlier part of the program.

I know it's not always easy to know where to start with asking your questions.  You know you have them, but you don't know how to word them.  Remember, I may not be able to answer your questions for you, but I'm always happy to help a student try to figure out how to put those questions into writing so your instructors can answer them. 

For instance, Donna, you mention that you're not sure of the quickest way to search through the HCPCS and CPT books.  I would suggest that you take one of the practice exercises that you had more trouble with, especially with those two code books, and walk through in writing each step you took coding the exercise, including how you searched in the books.  Then send that in an email for your instructor and ask her to review your process.  She can take a look over what you're doing and let you know if there are any things that you should be doing differently or if maybe you're doing something inefficiently.  You could also do this on an exam, although it's probably easier to do this kind of walkthrough on a graded answer where you know you went wrong somewhere, whether or not you understand where that was, rather than an exam that hasn't been graded yet.

Glenda,

Thanks for the encouragement.  I like your way of thinking when you state:

'... take a look over what you're doing and let you know if there are any things that you should be doing differently or if maybe you're doing something inefficiently.  You could also do this on an exam, although it's probably easier to do this kind of walkthrough on a graded answer where you know you went wrong somewhere, whether or not you understand where that was, rather than an exam that hasn't been graded yet'

Thus, I will submit the Chapter 5 Exam this afternoon. and then await feedback on the cases I missed. I suppose I should not worry overmuch about the grade of the exam, more importantlis finding out what I am doing wrong/missing.  It will be a relief just to hit Submit and move forward!

Terry, I know what you mean.  After Exam 3 I felt confident about taking the CPC.  However,Exam 4 is much more of a challenge. I think I was not expecting it to be so hard which is why I am feeling discouraged. My confidence for taking the CPC has fallen...I feel that I need more time for reviewing.  Time is not a luxury for me.  I need to become hireable ASAP. 

Thanks Inge. I guess there will be ups and downs, and the normal frustrations of learning a new skill.  Just need a clear head, and like you said, be energized to do our best.

I too would like to see some of Donna's questions for our instructors answered here, and I also sympathize with the collective feelings of frustration in regards to Module III CCW Exams. I think that there was too little proceeding instruction to properly prepare us as students for the CCW Exams. I think we were literally dropped from beginner coding to advanced coding. Sort of like being thrown into the deep end of a pool, and then it's either sink or swim. Too much time was placed on pharmacology and insurance techniques, when in this case it would have been more beneficial to emphasize coding techniques. I think this school needs to focus a lot more time on actual coding instruction, as well as practice.

I hope I can offer some perspective.  Having gotten through module III and almost done with module IV and passing the CPC exam, I struggled so much with the CCW and was really questioning my abilities as a coder at that point.  I was spending a lot of time looking stuff up on the Internet and trying to figure out the procedures, feeling like I was doing something wrong, like I just couldn't get it.  I just had to do the best I could and turn in the tests, and even though I didn't get an A, I tried to learn from my mistakes.  When I got to module IV, I learned so much more in Faye Brown about the procedures, and that helped me to better understand the CPT codes.  I try to remember that I learn something from each case I code and build on that.  I can't say that I'm completely confident in coding now, far from it, but I have come a long way from module III and you will too.  I was completely lost in using V codes and E codes, but the more I use them, the easier they get.   Hope this gives you some incentive to keep going, you are doing better than you think you are. 

Yes, I am at that point where you were and I just need to tell myself to Just Submi Them!  I need to trust that I am doing the best I can with the knowledge I have gained thus far, and get it over with! I feel that I am always so hesitant to submit them for fear of missing too many, so I spend time flipping through the HCPCS when I am not even sure I should be doing that.  (Got an 85% on the last CCW exam). Will submit Chapter 6 today. Wish me luck. :)

I like your analogy of either sink or swim.  We are indeed treading waters in a sea of medical knowledge.  I will not drown.... instead I keep the AHIMA books nearby and am constantly reviewing them while I do the CCW cases. So much info to absorb does make me feel overwhelmed at times, but I am determined to stay afloat. 

Good Luck to us all! Yes, let's keep our coding spirits afloat, and just chalk Module III up as another sort of learning experience and insight as to what possibly lies ahead, yet for the moment is somewhat over our heads :)

Well, I've taken a deep breath and submitted Exam 4.  ~sits back~  No pain, no gain.  And no learning either.

Terry

And I survived Exam 4!  The meltdown is passing and it's making more sense.  At least I'm getting more of the practice exercises correct.  ~takes a big breath~  Whew.

Great!!  I love reading about the progress of students who are ahead of me.  Can't wait to start Module III.