Congratulations, Cynthia!
Thank you, Linda! This makes me very happy! Now, I'm looking forward to taking Pietro Ingrande's CCS exam prep class and then going to get my CCS!
Awesome job, Cynthia!!! I am SO PROUD OF YOU. :0) Cheers to the future!
I'm glad you are going to do Pietro Ingrande's CCS Prep class. That's an excellent review class that Pietro provides. He's become a friend of ours. I like him because of his integrity. Several of our graduates have taken that review class of his to build confidence before taking the CCS and to review. I call that 'saturation' training, getting information from several different sources and when one doesn't 'click', another may. That's of course because I need over-training when I'm learning something. I'm a little bit of a slow learner, but once I have it, it's there for life. So for those in any of those categories, (1), need or want a review; (2), need more confidence before the CCS; (3) do better with over-training or 'saturation' training, I highly recommend his course.
I asked him to give Andrews graduates a discount, and he does, a 50% discount. Others have asked and he won't do it. He respects us and our training the same way we respect him. There are also courses that I wouldn't even consider recommending, because of what I've seen, heard, experienced in private messages, etc. I do like Pietro though, and I think many of you will too. You don't NEED his course. It's something that some of you will choose to do because you just want that extra study time/mentorship.
For those of you who have not been to our Facebook forum, Medical Coding Forum or another forum that I love, Jobs For American Medical Coders, here's the information:
CodeMasters - ICD-10-CM & PCS Training http://www.primacodemasters.net/
Congratulations, Cynthia!!
Yay Cynthia! Way to go! Best of luck in the prep class and in achieving your CCS!!
Thank you, Wendy!! :) I'll be cheering you on too!
Thank you, Linda, for the excellent training your school has given me, and also for arranging the discount for the exam prep class. I'm taking Pietro's class for all 3 reasons you listed, and I really appreciate the discount! I'll keep you posted!
Thank you also, Carol and Kell!
Congratulations, Cynthia!!!!!
Congratulations Cynthia!!
Thank you, Debby, and thank you for all your help throughout! :)
Thank you, Teri!
Congratulations, Cynthia! Best to you on the CCS!
Way to go Cynthia! It's great to hear Andrews School continues to provide guidance to further accomplish your goals of CCS with information on best prep class to take. Love to hear success!!! Proud for you.
Thank you, Tracey and Lisa! I'm busy re-reading the coding handbook and getting ready for the CCS prep class starting on 6/22. I also ordered the AHIMA CCS exam prep book, which arrives on Tuesday. I'm doing everything in my power to be ready! I can't wait to get that CCS behind my name! :)
Also, AHIMA has a coupon code to get $30 off an active membership - AHIMA30. Unfortunately, I didn't see it until after I joined, but someone else may be able to use it if they decide to join.
This $30 coupon, thanks for that information. I'm interested in the CCS prep class. Will you tell me more about it? Or just refer me to a link.
A bit of info, not trying to discourage anyone from joining AHIMA, just passing on info as I remember it. Of course there is the membership fee, but you also have to keep up with CEU's, some of which are free and some not. Combine that with the AAPC membership dues and their CEU's that you have to keep up with.
My thoughts on this, however, are if you are in a job based on your CCS status it would be important to keep up with those CEU's.
Thanks again for all this information
Donna G
You're welcome, Donna! The CCS prep class is CodeMasters - ICD-10-CM & PCS Training, link is http://www.primacodemasters.net/ He gives Andrews graduates a nice discount. See Linda's post above in this thread for more information about it. She explains it well!
I debated about becoming a member of AHIMA because of differing opinions I had heard on whether it was worth it, but, since you get a substantial discount on your exam (and future exams if you need them that year), and 20% off the CCS exam prep book, it was worth it to me to become a member for 1 year to try it out.
As you said above, it is important to keep up your CEUs to maintain your CCS whether you are a member or not, and the CCS seems to be more and more the gold standard that employers are requiring, so I will definitely be maintaining my CEUs. After I get my CCS, however, I may let the membership lapse after the renewal and just maintain my CEUs, as there are a lot of free or inexpensive CEUs out there, plus I think some CEUs are good for both AAPC and AHIMA.
Congratulations! All the best to you.