Hi all-
I'll need to replace my code books before I take the CPC later this year. I noticed that AAPC has a sale bundle of coding books, and I was wondering if anyone's used their version of the ICD-10-CM code book and what feedback you have. I really like the Optum version but with the bundle I can get three code books for the price of one and a half individual ones.
AAPC had a list of books allowed for sitting the CPC exam. With that as a guide then ask Glenda which would be a good choice.
On a personal note, I like Optum, too.
Hi. I bought the bundle of books (ooh alliteration) from AAPC. I can't stress how much I really dislike their spiral bound versions of CPC and ICD-10-DM. I used them for my CPC exam and now I'm back to using the 2015 Optum version of ICD-10-CM for school. The spiral is a total slow-down, there are no lines runing down vertically to make it easier to follow the indentations, and the spirally thingy is constantly coming undone. If I were you, and if it is allowed, I would get the Optum books.
My 2016 ICD-10 is titled ICD-10 Expert for Hospitals. Can't remember who, I believe it was an instructor advised to get the Expert for Hospitals Optum.
This Optum also has that HUGE spiral and you are right. It is a constant slow down, always having to shift the hunk of pages, flatten them, smooth them because somehow they get creased, and I have already slightly torn a couple of pages, even though my treatment has been careful and delicate so as not to tear. I guess you can gather by this description that I don't like the spiral.
As to the spiral wandering out of its holes, I took the hint from one of the students who took her hint from one of the instructors, and with the use of some pliers bent the end of the spiral backward and tucked it into the nearest spiral and that took care of that problem.
No guide lines? That's an immediate disqualification for me- they've saved me from improper coding many a time.
I checked the AAPC guidelines and there's no publisher restriction for the codebook itself although there are some weird versions you're not supposed to use.
I like the suggestion for fixing the spiral- thank you! I noticed on my 2015 copy that the end spiral is starting to come loose from all the flipping. I'll have to commandeer some pliers from my dad.
Thanks everyone! I think I'll stick with Optum. I went on their site and it looks like you can put together your own bundle: https://www.optum360coding.com/NonProd/5196/