How to Self-Study Medical Coding

Tips for Learning Medical Coding on Your Own

Becoming a certified medical coder can be a great career move for those looking to enter the healthcare industry. However, preparing for the certification exam can be daunting. Self-studying is an option for those who may not have access to a formal education program or who want to learn at their own pace. In this blog post, we’ll provide some tips and resources to help you self-study for the medical coding certification exam in 2023.

First, it’s important to understand what medical coding is and what it entails. Medical coding involves reading and translating medical records into codes that can be used for billing and data analysis purposes. The average salary for a medical coder is around $55,000 per year, depending on experience and certification.

The most recognized certifications for medical coders are the CPC certification from the AAPC and the CCS certification from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). The CPC certification is recommended for those who want to focus on provider-based coding, while the CCS certification is recommended for those who want to focus on inpatient coding.

Preparing for the certification exam can be costly, as you’ll need to purchase the necessary books and pay for exam fees. However, there are budget-friendly options available for those who are self-studying. The following books are essential for learning medical coding: CPT (Current Procedural Terminology), and ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases), HCPCS (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System).

To supplement your learning, I recommend purchasing the “Medical Terminology and Anatomy for Coding” book. This book provides the latest terminology and guidelines related to ICD-10 and CPT, and includes illustrations for better visual understanding.

To learn actual medical coding, I recommend the “Step-by-Step Medical Coding” textbook and workbook. This resource provides a detailed guide on how to code, along with remarkable cases and answers provided at the back. You can also find chapter-specific tutorials on YouTube to help you understand certain concepts.

In addition, practice exams and study guides can help you prepare for the certification exam. You can purchase a CPC study guide from the AAPC website, and practice exams from the AAPC or AHIMA websites.

Finally, if you’re still unsure about self-studying, there are formal education programs available. Preppy is an online program that provides a complete roadmap on how you can be job-ready in as little as six months. You can also check out more at medicalcodingmasterclass.com!

If you're looking to learn at your own pace, self-studying for the medical coding certification exam could be the perfect option for you. Although there are costs associated with becoming certified, it doesn't have to break the bank since there are budget-friendly options available. With the right resources and unwavering dedication, you can ace the certification exam, leading to a fulfilling career in medical coding.

For an effective and comprehensive learning experience, we recommend checking out the Medical Coding Masterclass at medicalcodingmasterclass.com. Start your journey towards success today!