FAQ’s for Medical Coding & Billing Students

Hello Professional Medical Coding and Billing Students! Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers to your program:

Q: How do I navigate to the next module?

A: The Program Modules navigation tool is on the left side of each page in the program.

1. Click the plus sign (+) to view the list of modules in the program.
2. Click the module name to navigate to the first page of that module.

Use this menu each time you navigate from one module to the next. Refer to the Program Navigation unit of the Program Orientation module for more detailed navigation information.

Q: Should I have a workbook for the Medical Terminology module?

A: You do not need a workbook to complete the Medical Terminology module. The available workbook is an additional book from Delmar Cengage Learning, it is NOT required for this course.

Q: How do I access the Merck Manual?

A: To access the Merck Manual, locate Tools (on the left side of each page of the program), click Launch 3M Reference and select The Merck Manual (located towards the bottom right side of the listed references).

Q: How do I access and use the Clinical Pharmacology Drug Reference?

A: In your program under the Launch 3M Reference tool you have access to the Clinical Pharmacology Drug Reference. To use this reference, click on the first letter of the drug name. You can also use the Search feature to look up a drug. The Search icon appear as a pair of binoculars.

Other free online pharmacology references are accessible and available anytime such as drugs.com, rxlist.com, and nlm.nih.gov (US national library of medicine). An internet version is preferred because they are updated more frequently than printed drug reference manuals. Take a look at this blog post with more specifics on how to use the 3M drug reference.

Q: What books are included in my program?

A: If you are enrolled in Professional Medical Coding and Billing your books include:

• Comprehensive Medical Terminology, Cengage learning
• ICD-10-CM and ICD-10 PCS-Coding Handbook, AHA
• ICD-10-CM, AMA
• ICD-10-PCS, AMA
• CPT® Coding Professional, AMA
• HCPCS Level II, AMA

The first book ships upon enrollment and will be referenced beginning in the 7th module, Medical Terminology. The other coding books are time sensitive and may be requested throughout the program by filling out the request forms when you reach the following modules in your program:

Pharmacology, page 1
ICD-10 Coding, page 1

Q: Where do I request my coding books?

A: If you are enrolled in Professional Medical Coding and Billing ICD-10: Request the ICD-10 coding books by filling out the book request form on page one of the Pharmacology module.  Request CPT and HCPCS coding books by filling out the second book request on page one of the ICD-10 Coding module.

Q: Where do I access the Evaluation/Management worksheets?

A: Download the Evaluation and Management worksheets from pages 115, 153 and 176 in the CPT/HCPCS -block 1 module.

Q: How do I apply for an extension for the program I’m enrolled in?

A: If you need additional time to complete your training, please contact Operations to discuss your options. Operations can be reached at 1-888-657-5752, Option #2 or operations@careerstep.com.

Q: What certification exams can I take?

A: The program prepares you to take the CPC Certified Professional Coder through AAPC (www.aapc.com ) and/or the CCA Certified Coding Associate through AHIMA (www.ahima.org ).

Q: How do I know if I am eligible to take the final exam?

A: Students are eligible to take the final exam once they have met the following requirements:

• Every unit test and module exam in the course must be completed; we require that you score at least an 85% or higher on each of these tests and exams.
• Completion of 100 % of the practicum.
• Enrollment status is current or has been kept current with extensions. If your enrollment has expired, you need to purchase an extension prior to requesting access to the final examination.
• Account is paid in full or current with your payment plan.

Once you meet all the final exam requirements, you may schedule your final exam by proceeding to the end of the Final Exam Preparation module and completing a final exam request form. Please visit the Final Exam Preparation Module for additional information surrounding the policies, procedures and time frames surrounding the scheduling of your final exam.