Principles of CPT Coding: Your Trusted Source! Provides the Most In-depth Overview of the Official AMA CPT Code Set

First, I’ll say that I really do like this edition of the text. I’ve owned previous editions and this one is much nicer in terms of overall paper, print, and illustration quality. The paper used in this edition is more like what you would expect to find in a textbook (thicker, glossier) and everything, from text to illustrations, is more colorful than previous editions. I, personally, don’t find color in a text to be a great boon (or a deal-breaker, for that matter) but I know some of my colleagues appreciate it a great deal. The one negative about this edition is that it’s no longer spiral-bound like some past editions. I prefer the spiral but a regular paperback is certainly not the end of the world.Is it worth the cost? Well, that depends (doesn’t it always?).If you’re new to coding and still learning, I would have said in the past that this book probably isn’t the best but this new edition has a lot of extras compared to past editions. It’s overall design and layout is considerably nicer than in the past (and in color). There are now definitions in the margins, the coding tips are still there but better placed, new ‘advice/alert’ boxes to raise flags about things that you might need to consider, new case examples in-line with the text in each section, and a great deal more practice exercises, case studies, etc. to help reinforce the concepts from the chapter. If this edition were around when I was first learning, I do think it would have been helpful.On the other hand, most people who have been medical coders for any extended length of time probably won’t find this text to be particularly useful. It’s called “Principles of CPT Coding” for a reason - the text is clearly meant to be an extensive overview of the underlying structure and methodology behind the CPT code set. In my opinion, it does a pretty good job of that. Speaking for myself, I’ve been a coder for some years now and have worked in the administrative side of healthcare for quite a bit longer still but, even so, I still find the editions of this text to be useful especially when I encounter coding scenarios outside my day-to-day norm. Coding can be a rather complex subject and even the best coders aren’t regularly exposed to all specialties and scenarios. From time to time, I sit down and go through the CPT code book front-to-back with this text alongside in order to reinforce the basics, the “principles”, and to help me refresh on those things I don’t see as often. I’ve found this text (in all editions) to be a good resource in helping me do that. Having said that, a significant portion of the text is basically a repeat of the official guidelines already published in the CPT code book. So, it does seem a little redundant and that has made me question in the past whether this book was worth the cost. But, overall, I do rather prefer the layout of that information in this book vs the code book (especially for refresher sessions). Also, as I said previously, there are a great many ‘extras’ as well. If the nicer layout and the extras are something you'd appreciate, I think the cost is justifiable (especially at the price on Amazon).In the end, I've found it to be worth the cost and I’ll probably end up purchasing the next edition too!

I have used this book since it was first published by the AMA. This edition expands over previous editions by being a text, which includes exercises and self reviews with answer key. This book, in addition to CPT Assistant, is a must when preparing for coding certification exams. Since the first edition was published, I have included it in the bibliography of resources needed when preparing for any certification exam that includes CPT coding concepts and principles. Medical coding is complex, and no one resource will ever prepare one for certification or for an entry-level job as a medical coder or auditor. Many references are needed. I highly recommend this book.

If you are an outpatient code or learning to code CPT then this is the book to have.

The book was just as described as acceptable but better than I thought and perfect for my class. I did not need perfect just useable. I was pleased to receive it sooner than estimated.

This is a great book if you need to teach your provider about why codes are assigned. Often gives AMA’s reasoning. I get the new one when it comes out every few years. I wish there was something as clear about HCPCS codes.

Except for some pages being upside down, this is the best version of this guide so far. Very good resource for medical coding.

Great book

There was something spilled on the book which would have been ok if it hadn't made it hard to use the index.