Click here for more sample CPC practice exam questions with Full Rationale Answers

Practice Exam

Click here for more sample CPC practice exam questions and answers with full rationale

Practice Exam

CPC Practice Exam and Study Guide Package

Practice Exam

What makes a good CPC Practice Exam? Questions and Answers with Full Rationale

CPC Exam Review Video

Laureen shows you her proprietary “Bubbling and Highlighting Technique”

Download your Free copy of my "Medical Coding From Home Ebook" at the top right corner of this page

Practice Exam

2018 CPC Practice Exam Answer Key 150 Questions With Full Rationale (HCPCS, ICD-9-CM, ICD-10, CPT Codes) Click here for more sample CPC practice exam questions with Full Rationale Answers

Practice Exam

Click here for more sample CPC practice exam questions and answers with full rationale

Legal Transcription vs Medical Transcription vs General

Legal transcription is very complicated due to the different terms used in the process. Legal jargon is very hard to understand since most of the words are presented in latin. Transcribers would need to research the meaning of the words used in order to prevent any mistakes. That is why the applicants hired should have a solid and extensive background on the law. This is necessary in order to establish a smooth and efficient transcription work. Many of the transcribed law materials are journals and books that discuss actual cases. Terms pertaining to the law can be encountered every sentence. If the transcriber is inexperienced in dealing with the law materials, many mistakes can be committed which would disrupt the business process.  

The system used in medical transcription is quite similar with legal transcription but the information being used is different. The transcribers and employees hired should have the necessary knowledge in handling and using medical terms. The employers should screen and filter the applicants through examinations on how to use medical terms. Medical transcriptions involve medical terms such as name of drugs, diseases, disorders and organ parts. The people hired should have science and medically related degrees including nursing, psychology, physical therapy, pharmacy and biology. One of the tasks involved in medical transcription is the listing of the different medications for a pharmaceutical company. If the transcriber commits any mistakes, the patients being treated could be put in danger.

Legal transcription has a great difference with general transcription. General transcription is simpler and easier to accomplish. Any person can be hired to serve as a general transcriber. This is because the terms and words used in general transcription are very simple. The only requirement is having a fast and accurate typing skill. The number of people being hired as general transcribers are greater compared to legal and medical transcribers. This is because the skill level is lesser. In fact, high school graduates can be hired as general transcribers. Legal and law transcribers are required to have college or vocation degrees in order to perform effectively. There is a great difference in the knowledge and skill required.

To know how to get online medical transcription training and how to get transcription jobs without specialized training, get my free report, “How to Avoid Transcription Scams”.

How to get legal transcription work and general transcription work. Get my free report, How to Avoid Transcription Scams. Visit http://www.generaltranscriptionworkfromhome.com

General Surgery

I could use some help on coding an operative note, i feel like i am totally missing something in this report I have read it so many times and have even put it away and come back to it.

Postoperative Diagnoses:
Diffuse carcinomatosis with small bowl obstruction, distal small bowel and right lower quadrant, and extensive flank and pelvic tumor deposits.

Procedure:
Exploratory laparotomy with release of the distal small bowel obstruction with side-to-side distal small bowel to proximal transverse colon anatomosis internal bypass.

Indication:
The patient is a 78 year old with right colon CA with diffuse carcinomatosis with small bowel obstruction secondary to tumor, here for exploratory laparotomy.

Description of operation:
The patient was brought to the operating room and placed on the table in supine position. Following general endoctracheal anesthesia the abdomen was prepped and draped in the usual fashion under sterile technique. Mid line incision was made above and below the umbilicus. Dissection carried down to the fascia and peritoneum was entered without difficulty. The small bowel appeared to be intact and no significant tumor involvement except area of right lower quadrant causing small bowel obstruction adjacent to the cecum. This was mobilized and freed and serosal defect was over sewn with 3-0 chromic and interrupted 3-0 silk suture over a 2 cm area. The patient had extensive tumor involving the right colon and the lateral left flank area as well. The colon appeared to be intact without obstruction, extending down into the rectum. The patient did have stool in the transverse colon as well. It was felt that the colon distal to the ascending colon appeared to be viable and functional, felt internal bypass between distal small bowel and the proximal transverse colon was indicated. The small bowel side-to-side to proximal transverse colon was hand sew outer interrupted 3-0 silk suture and a running 3-0 chromic suture over the anastomosis __cm in length and appeared to be open and then tacked. Bowel was placed back in normal anatomic position. Omental implant was excised and sent to pathology for permanent section as well. Umbilical tumor was excised and the fascia was then closed with running looped 0 PDS suture. Skin approximated with staples. Blood loss was appox 20 ml. She tolerated well and returned to recovery in stable condition. ___exploratory laparotomy with internal bypass, small bowel to the proximal transverse colon, repair of serosal tear, and release of distal small bowel obstruction.

I came up with
44130 with DX c18.2
44604 with DX S36.538A

Thanks for any help and suggestions

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

General Question

I have been in Cardiology greater than 20 years and coding for 5 – 6 years. I have my CPC, CCC however I would like to move forward and learn Cardio thoracic coding. Would anyone have any information regarding where or how to go about finding information on learning how to code this specialty? I appreciate any feedback.

Thank You

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Reference guide for general sx coding

I do alot of colon resection and i’m new to this section of general sx. Is there a good reference book anyone knows that will be helpful. I get confused with those anastamosis part. I looked at ama website but the description on the book is similar to encoderpro same goes for tci and supercoder.

Anybody using any kind of reference book that explains the cpt codes better?

Thanks

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

DOJ Releases General Compliance Program Guidance

According to an article published in the AHLA Weekly, new compliance program guidance has been issued by the Fraud Section of the Department of Justice (DOJ).  While the “Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs” (Guidance) is not specific to the healthcare industry, it does provide a practical set of benchmarks against which the audit & compliance committee, in […]
AAPC Knowledge Center

General Surgeon Consutation

I have a general surgeon who performed a consultation on a medicare patient on 10/18, performed surgery on 10/20 (a 90 day global surgery) & discharged the patient on 10/22.
I’m being asked to code the consult, surgery & discharge for this patient (3 different codes).
I requested the consultation rpt to code the E/M consult, an op rpt to code the surgery & a discharge report to code the E/M discharge but the discharge would be part of the 90 day global package & need not be coded.
I am waiting for this info but wanted to be sure this is all I needed to code EACH of these E/M codes? I know I cannot code a consult w/o a consult report, a surgery w/o the surgery report & a discharge w/o the discharge summary.

Medical Billing and Coding