Customer Reviews

CCS Coding Exam Review 2008: The Certification Step, 1e (CCS Coding Exam Review: The Certification Step (W/CD))

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I've been in the medical claim industry for about 25 years, but had never needed a certification until now. I bought this book to prepare myself for the test. It is very well laid out, has answers to all of the quizes (execpt the final exam prep tests, as far as I've seen so far), and will teach even a veteran like me a LOT. It has sections on everything you'll need to know to pass the test. If you have a background in claims, I think this is an excellent prep book for the test. If I was brand new in the field, I think the information would be overwhelming, and would suggest taking actual classes to learn the information, but that's just my opinion.

I am a RN, Nurse Practitioner with a Master's Degree, and as such have taken many a certification exam (RN board certification, NP board certification, GRE, to name a few). I am currently preparing for the CCS exam. I've been working in the medical reimbursement industry for several years now, and consider myself to be knowledgeable and skilled. This is the single worst test prep resource I've ever come across. Perhaps it's intended as a text for a course, in which case it may have some value--but for someone preparing for this exam on their own, it's virtually useless. There is no "text", per se, but the chapters are in outline format that may make some sense to the author, but not to me. The CD is the worst part of the package. After you take the practice test, you get a grade, but no feedback on questions you answered correctly or incorrectly, and it's not possible to go back and see the correct answers. I believe your money's better spent elsewhere. I wish I could get my money back.

I am an RHIA studying for the CCS exam. I have been disappointed in this exam review book. In retrospect, I should have realized that it would not be too helpful because none of the authors hold the CCS credential! The Coding Challenge, provides some useful, general practice, although be forewarned that the practice exams requires that you code ICD-9 procedure codes on outpatient visits, if the codes are not present, they are counted as wrong. There are also questions that give the instructions, "Assign the codes for the ED physician." Physician coding will not be on the CCS exam... This leads me to believe that this book was modified from a CCS-P or a CPC exam review. It would do the authors and publishers good to read the AHIMA CCS candidate handbook before writing and/or publishing this book for next year.