October 21, 2024

Tabbing the CPT manual

By Janine Mothershed

How to Tab a CPT Manual for the AAPC CPC Exam

Preparing for the AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam involves not only understanding the content but also knowing how to navigate your resources efficiently. One of the most useful tools is a well-tabbed CPT manual. Proper tabbing can save you time during the exam and help you locate codes quickly. Here’s a guide on how to effectively tab your CPT manual.

Why Tab Your CPT Manual?

Efficiency: Time management is crucial during the exam. Being able to find codes quickly can help you complete questions faster.
Familiarity: Tabbing helps you become familiar with the layout of the manual, making it easier to locate sections under pressure.
Organization: A well-organized manual reduces anxiety and lets you focus on answering questions.

Materials Needed

Current CPT manual
Tab stickers or colored tabs
Highlighters and erasable pen

Many manuals come with tabs but some are very thin and may curl up with heavy use making them useless during an exam therefore, purchase stiffer tabs to prevent this.

Steps to Tab Your CPT Manual

1. Understand the CPT Structure

Before you start tabbing, familiarize yourself with the CPT manual’s sections. The main categories include:

Evaluation and Management (E/M) 99201 – 99499
Anesthesia 01999; 99100 – 99140
Surgery 10021 – 69990
Radiology 70010 – 79999
Pathology and Laboratory 80047 – 89398
Medicine 90281 – 99199; 99500 – 99607

2. Create Your Tab System

Use a combination of colored tabs and labels. Here’s a suggested color scheme:

E/M: Blue
Anesthesia: Green
Surgery: Yellow
Radiology: Orange
Pathology and Laboratory: Purple
Medicine: Pink
Appendixes– White

3. Tab Key Sections

Focus on the most commonly used sections and codes:

E/M Services: Tab sections for office visits, hospital visits, and consultations.
Surgery: Tab by body system (e.g., cardiovascular, digestive) and specific procedures.
Modifiers: Include a tab for commonly used modifiers to save time during coding. (The front inside cover has a list of modifiers as well as Appendix A ) https://codingclarified.com/cpt-medical-modifiers/
Appendixes – A- Modifiers, E, codes exempt from modifier 51, G, codes that include moderate (conscience) sedation, L, vascular families, P, Telemedicine audio and video, Q, COVID, T, Telemedicine audio-only.
Illustration Anatomical and Procedural Review– numbers, surgical procedures, conditions, directions, and positions (prefix, suffix), anatomical illustrations, procedural illustrations
Guidelines

4. Highlight Important Codes

As you are tabbing, use a highlighter to mark important codes, guidelines, or notes within the sections. This will help you find essential information quickly. Remember to highlight any differences between the parent code and child codes (a parent code is a standalone code that provides the full description of a procedure, while a child code is an indented code that provides different options for the parent code) because sometimes it is only a one-word difference and highlighting that keyword can help you identify the differences faster during an exam.

5. Practice Using Your Tabbed Manual

Once you have tabbed your manual, practice using it. Take practice exams and time yourself to see how quickly you can find codes. Adjust your tabs if you find certain areas are difficult to navigate. Some students even tab the top of their manual pages for the index alphabet.

6. Keep It Neat

During the exam, keep your manual neat. Avoid excessive notes that could distract you. Stick to the tabs and highlighted areas for quick reference.

Recommended tabs

https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Laminated-Color-Coded-Long-Last-Inspirational/dp/B0D3X3PW27/ref=asc_df_B0D3X3PW27/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693684515236&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17383876543664111669&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028914&hvtargid=pla-2314521995662&mcid=ec37f93da5de3f8c9bbbe8ad3789ea3f&th=1

Tabbing your CPT manual is a crucial step in preparing for the AAPC CPC exam. A well-organized manual not only improves your efficiency but also boosts your confidence. By following this guide, you can set yourself up for success on exam day. Good luck!