CDIS exam

afulmerafulmer
in CDI Talk Archive
I getting ready for the exam and have been reading all of your post.
It is my understanding that the only 2 books allowed for the testing is the DRG Expert and one drug book (from an approved list.)

Some of the post indicated that there are questions regarding outpt procedure codes(CPT); if so, should I be able to answer them correctly w/o a CPT code book for reference?

This is a great site!

Joan

Comments

  • robert.hodges2robert.hodges2
    edited May 2016
    I don't recall any CPT code questions when I took the test. I know some things were defined in the questions though.

    Robert

    Robert S. Hodges, BSN, MSN, RN, CCDS
    Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
    Aleda E. Lutz VAMC
    Mail Code 136
    1500 Weiss Street
    Saginaw MI 48602
     
    P: 989-497-2500 x13101
    F: 989-321-4912
    E: Robert.Hodges2@va.gov
     
    "We are dealing with Veterans, not procedures; With their problems, not ours." --General Omar Bradley

  • sharon.colesharon.cole
    edited May 2016
    I agree w/Robert. I don't recall anything about CPT codes.

    Sharon Cole, RN, CCDS
    Providence Health Center
    Case Management Dept
    254.751.4256
    srcole@phn-waco.org

  • Unknown
    edited May 2016
    There have been recent post regarding the CCS exam which does include CPT questions as it is a coding certification.




    Charlene

  • Unknown
    edited May 2016
    Are we talking about two different certifications here.. CCS and CCDS ?

    Tracey Carey RN

    Clinical Documentation Specialist

    686-7421


  • ddouthitddouthit
    The CCS exam requires CPT assignment...The CDIS does not.
  • afulmerafulmer
    I am now a certified CDIS!! I passed the exam 03/09/12!! So glad to have that behind me.
    Joan Fulmer
  • evanspx@sutterhealth.orgevanspx@sutterhealth.org
    edited May 2016
    I am an CCS and I believe the better credential, particular for an RN performing CDI activities, is the CCDS credential. I can argue (and I do) that the CCS exam is also an excellent credential for this profession, HOWEVER, the CCS exam is heavy on technical coding areas that are not all germane for concurrent chart reviews...just my opinion.



    Paul Evans, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P

    Supervisor, Clinical Documentation Integrity, Quality Department
    California Pacific Medical Center
    2351 Clay #243
    San Francisco, CA 94115
    Cell: 415.637.9002
    Fax: 415.600.1325
    Ofc: 415.600.3739
    evanspx@sutterhealth.org

  • lsipos@monument.healthlsipos@monument.health
    edited May 2016
    Paul
    Thanks, I appreciate your input! Was contemplating both the tests and was leaning more towards CCDS...you helped me decide!

    Juli Bovard RN CDS

  • evanspx@sutterhealth.orgevanspx@sutterhealth.org
    edited May 2016
    I really do not recommend the CCS or CCS-P unless you plan to actively
    involve yourself very heavily in the very technical aspects of coding.
    These are fine credentials, but I feel the CCDS gives one a 'better'
    overview and perspective your purpose is to perform concurrent chart
    reviews.

    From my point of view, the focus of concurrent reviews is clarification
    of key clinical aspects rather than in-depth and complete coding of the
    record on the floor.


    I plan to take the CCDS soon and that will be my 'last' credential.

    Paul Evans, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P

    Supervisor, Clinical Documentation Integrity, Quality Department
    California Pacific Medical Center
    2351 Clay #243
    San Francisco, CA 94115
    Cell: 415.637.9002
    Fax: 415.600.1325
    Ofc: 415.600.3739
    evanspx@sutterhealth.org

  • katysuegood@gmail.comkatysuegood@gmail.com
    edited May 2016
    I recently (last week) passed my CCS but I completely agree. While I decided to test for the CCS, I do not think it is a necessary credential for a CDS. I chose to do it because I am involved in other (non-concurrent) activities where I think it will be helpful. Not that is changed my knowledge base to take the exam, but that it gives me credibility that I would not otherwise have. I do retrospective reviews of all death charts, after they have been coded in draft. Currently, I perform these with the coding manager and we provide feedback to the coders and I also address any documentation issues. I also do retrospective reviews for our CRIMSON program. They send me patients that "fall out" and I provide feedback. Inevitably there are many questions about whether charts were coded accurately. Over the last year, I have learned the answers to most these questions but because I didn't have the credentials, I found it necessary to refer many questions back to coding for validation.
    I am moving cross-country in May and was hoping to continue to perform some of my duties remotely from home. Getting this credential will help me work more independently and thereby makes me more valuable to my facility.

    I do not have my CCDS yet. I just reached the 1 year mark in the end of January and wanted to address the CCS first since I had already applied. I have now applied for the CCDS exam and hope to test prior to my move. This is the only credential expected out of the other CDS's in my department.

    Katy Good, RN, BSN, CCS
    Clinical Documentation Program Coordinator
    AHIMA Approved ICD-10CM/PCS Trainer
    Flagstaff Medical Center
    Kathryn.Good@nahealth.com
    Office: 928.214.3864
    Cell: 928.814.9404


  • MelindascharfMelindascharf
    edited May 2016
    Congratulation on passing the CCS Katy! I have considered taking this but the amount of information seemed overwhelming. How did you study for the CPT portion of it? It seems hard to grasp it without having the experience of actually doing it. It definitely makes you more valuable as a CDS though!
    Melinda Scharf RN BSN CCDS

  • paxnerospaxneros
    edited May 2016

    Katy- I think it looks good for you to have your CCS as an ICD 10 Trainer.
    :)

    NBrunson, RHIA,CCDS,DIP
  • katysuegood@gmail.comkatysuegood@gmail.com
    edited May 2016
    The CPT part was the hardest portion for me since I have zero experience in it. In retrospect, I likely would not have stressed about the CPT procedure coding. I was shocked how many you could miss of the actually coding portion of the exam and still pass.
    I started another thread on the CCS exam last week and this is what I said in regards to feedback for the exam.

    Ok, I do have some guidance in retrospect.

    The test is split in domains. I had no problem (100%) on compliance, privacy/ethics, Data quality management, Documentation and the inpatient regulatory/reporting guidelines. I did fine on the information/communication technology as well. I struggled a little more with the outpatient regulation/reporting guidelines (probably because I have no background in outpatient).
    But, what really threw me was the actual diagnosis and procedure coding. It was BRUTAL! Prior to beginning to study I had never opened a CPT book so the outpatient procedure coding was exceedingly difficult. I also don't ever look at V-codes, so I needed to learn those as well.
    The exam has roughly 100 mult choice/mult select. That was the easy part for me. Then there are 12 cases that you have to code. Time is really the issue. I realized that I was only on case #7 with 30 minutes left in the exam (and I am a fast reader)! I had read somewhere that you get points for each correct dx/procedure but you get extra point for having the correct Pdx. When I realized there was no way I would complete every case I began flipping though, assigning the principle dx and any easy dx I saw in the D/C summery (HTN, DM, hyperlipemia) and just entering 0000 for the other blanks (you have to enter something to move on). This worked for me. In retrospect, I shouldn't have wasted so much time searching for one missing dx (you know how many codes you should have based on the blanks) and should have focused on just getting the easy dx. I also likely should have skipped the CPT procedure entirely and moved on to the ones I was more likely to get right. I am positive my score would have been higher this way. You actually can miss a lot of the coding questions and still pass when you do well on the other portion.

    I did use the AHIMA study guide. I would also suggest memorizing as much as possible of the "Guidelines" in the book. You have the book but you do not have time look that stuff up. I would not waste my time (although I did) on reviewing coding clinics.


    Katy Good, RN, BSN, CCS
    Clinical Documentation Program Coordinator
    AHIMA Approved ICD-10CM/PCS Trainer
    Flagstaff Medical Center
    Kathryn.Good@nahealth.com
    Office: 928.214.3864
    Cell: 928.814.9404


  • katysuegood@gmail.comkatysuegood@gmail.com
    edited May 2016
    Agreed. Unfortunately I am not sure how much I will be using my “trainer” credential once I move, but it is certainly good information.

    Katy Good, RN, BSN, CCS
    Clinical Documentation Program Coordinator
    AHIMA Approved ICD-10CM/PCS Trainer
    Flagstaff Medical Center
    Kathryn.Good@nahealth.com
    Office: 928.214.3864
    Cell: 928.814.9404

  • paxnerospaxneros
    edited May 2016
    Ha! You might be surprised once someone finds out you have it! I can't imagine your new facility not taking advantage of your experience.

  • katysuegood@gmail.comkatysuegood@gmail.com
    edited May 2016
    That’s the issue. I am not getting a “new” job. My current employer has offered to allow me to continue to perform duties remotely from home (hopefully part-time). I will likely not be doing many concurrent reviews (likely just covering vacations and such). They sent me and our coding manager to training expecting us to be integral in the conversion. Now that I will not be on-site, I am not sure what my role in the process will be.
    We’ll see……

    Katy Good, RN, BSN, CCS
    Clinical Documentation Program Coordinator
    AHIMA Approved ICD-10CM/PCS Trainer
    Flagstaff Medical Center
    Kathryn.Good@nahealth.com
    Office: 928.214.3864
    Cell: 928.814.9404

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