Whew! I'm taking my CPC certification exam this Saturday, and just realized my CPT book is 2015 as is my HCPCS! Now, I'm hyper enough about this test, but now I'm really scrambling. For some reason, I thought I was okay. So, I think I can save myself and can still buy a book through Amazon if I have to, but then comes another question. Can I buy the 2017 CPT and use that? So, my questions are, is my 2015 CPT book good for this exam this weekend, or not, and if not, should I purchase 2016 or 2017? :) AI YI YI! Thanks for your help! I do know, from reading elsewhere in this thread from Instructor Peggy, that I need the Professional Edition, so I really appreciate knowing that since there are so many variable choices.
I did find this on the AAPC website: All AAPC exams are based on the current calendar year’s code sets, so we strongly suggest you use the current year’s books. The previous calendar year’s books may be used on an exam, but you would be at obvious disadvantage doing so. The upcoming year’s books are not allowed for exam use. So, I'm hoping the changes are not that significant as I really do not want to spend $100 on a new book tomorrow...
I took the CPC in September and bought the 2016 books to the tune of around $200. There were a lot of people using the 2015 books and I honestly think I would have been fine using them. I did like the illustrations in the books I ordered from AAPC that I think helped me with a few questions. My suggestion is know your guidelines from CMS and bubbling and highlighting my CPT helped me. Make sure you take a snack and water. 5hrs and 40 min is a long time to go without anything to eat or drink. Best of luck to you!!
I took my exam last Saturday and I bought books for the current year. There is a list of acceptable manuals on the AAPC website. It is on the page where you registered for your exam. There is a tab that has Approved Manuals on it, click on that tab. Scroll down a bit and there is a link that you click on the will bring up a PDF that has more specific info regarding the books. Hope this helps.
Thanks so much! Great advice! 5 hours and 40 minutes....is going to be torture. LOL! I appreciate knowing others had their 2015 books in September, and I'd prefer to take the book that I've been using all along for familiarity. If, on the bad luck chance I have to retake, I'll wait til 2017 and purchase those then. Also, I did find that list of approved manuals, and 2015 is fine, although at an "obvious disadvantage". I've even found some of the new codes and changes on line and have been adding those into my book. Think it's going to be ok!