Live Virtual CCDS Exam Prep Class

Course Overview

The CCDS Exam Prep Class prepares you to take the CCDS exam and advance in your professional career. By equipping you with test-taking skills and CDI knowledge, the class will allow you to tackle the exam with confidence.

Who is the class for?
The CCDS Exam Prep Class is for students who meet the prerequisites to take the CCDS exam—including a minimum of two years’ work experience as a CDI specialist—and who intend to sit for the CCDS exam within the next six months. It does not provide general CDI education.

Class overview
The CCDS Exam Prep Class is an intense two-day course covering 10 modules that will prepare candidates to take the CCDS certification exam, plus a short introduction.

In three days, our instructors cover the main focus areas of the CCDS exam as outlined in the examination content outline (see the CCDS Exam Candidate Handbook):

• Healthcare regulations, reimbursement, and documentation requirements related to the inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS)
• Anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology
• Medical record documentation
• Healthcare facility CDI program analysis
• Communication skills
• Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
• Professionalism, ethics, and compliance
• Impact of reportable diagnoses on quality of care

Our instructors cover real-world study strategies for adult learners and test-taking skills, to help students who have mastery of the subject matter but do not excel in the stress of a test-taking situation.

You will also receive access to the CCDS Exam Study Guide practice exam.

If you have attempted to gain CCDS certification before, this class will break down the material covered in the exam to ensure you feel confident and competent when you next sit for it. The program also covers test-taking skills, which helps students who have mastery of the subject matter but do not excel in the stress of a test-taking situation.

Who should attend with the required experience as a clinical documentation specialist?

• CDI specialists: RNs/MDs
• CDI managers/directors
• Case management directors/managers
• HIM directors/coding managers
• Revenue cycle directors
• DRG coordinators
• Physician advisors/champions
• Quality integrity personnel

Need CDI education?
For best-in-class CDI education, find out more about our Clinical Documentation Integrity Boot Camp. This four-day program provides comprehensive CDI education and teaches best practices for medical record review and compliant physician querying. It is also available as an online class.

How does the Live Virtual CCDS Exam Prep Class work?

Class is held Monday – Wednesday for 1 week from 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time (3 classes).

Please Note: Four days before class starts, you will receive a welcome email that includes the dial-in information for the class.

Class is held Monday – Wednesday from June 24  – June 26. Registration cut-off date: 6/17/2024

Looking to train your whole team? We can bring our expert instructors to you! Learn more here!

For more information about our Boot Camps, contact us at 800-650-6787 or email sales@hcpro.com.

Live Virtual CCDS Exam Prep Class

Outline/Agenda

• Introduction: Examining the CCDS Exam 
• Module 1: Healthcare Regulation and the IPPS 
• Module 2: Medical Record Documentation 
• Module 3: The Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting 
• Module 4: Tutorial on DRG Expert 
• Module 5: Anatomy/Physiology/Pharmacology 
• Module 6: Communication, Physician Education, and Query 
• Module 7: Professionalism, Ethics, and Compliance 
• Module 8: Impact of Reportable Diagnoses on Quality Care Measures 
• Module 9: CDI Program Analysis 
• Module 10: The Exam Experience and Test-Taking Tips 

*Agenda is subject to change.

Live Virtual CCDS Exam Prep Class

Schedule

June — Class Schedule (Eastern time)

Live Virtual CCDS Exam Prep Class

Learning Objectives

Introduction: Examining the CCDS Exam 
This introduction looks at the outline of the exam and the types of questions asked. It discusses recall, application, and analysis as well as the domains and objectives covered in the exam. 
  
Module 1: Healthcare Regulation and the IPPS 
Learning objectives: 

• Define the IPPS and the process by which it is updated and revised 
• Demonstrate a knowledge of MS-DRGs 
• Define and recognize a complication/comorbidity under the MS-DRG system 
• Explain the impact of documentation on reimbursement through diagnosis and procedure code assignment 
• Discuss the relationship between documentation, principal diagnosis selection, and medical necessity of setting 
• Define case-mix index and its relevance to CDI programs 

Module 2: Medical Record Documentation 
Learning objectives: 

• Explain what elements of the health record can be used for diagnosis and/or procedure code assignment 
• Explain how the provider’s role in relation to the patient affects diagnosis code assignment 
• Identify documentation that must be clarified for accurate code assignment 
• Explain the types of physician queries (concurrent, retrospective, verbal) 
• Demonstrate an understanding of different query formats (open-ended, multiple choice, yes/no) and their proper application 
• Define the concept of clinical indicators 
• Demonstrate the formation of a compliant query 
• Demonstrate an understanding of current professional guidance related to querying 
• Explain the proper mechanism to address diagnoses that appear to lack clinical support 

Module 3: The Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting 
Learning objectives: 

• Explain when the Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting are updated and where to obtain them 
• Explain the role of AHA Coding Clinic® in code assignment 
• Define and apply the principles of principal diagnosis selection 
• Define and apply the principles of secondary diagnosis selection 
• Define the basics of the present on admission indicator assignment and explain its impact on payment 
• Explain how to assign a working DRG when multiple diagnoses are in play 
• Identify conditions considered HACs by CMS 

Module 4: Tutorial on DRG Expert 
Learning objectives: 

• Identify the main components of DRG Expert 
• Discuss how to navigate DRG Expert 

Module 5: Anatomy/Physiology/Pharmacology 
Learning objectives: 

• Demonstrate how to interpret medications as a clinical indicator to support query opportunities 
• Identify diagnostic tests as possible clinical indicators to support query opportunities 
• Identify and apply clinical indicators and query opportunities typically targeted by CDI professionals related to common medical conditions, such as: 
• CVA 
• Encephalopathy 
• Seizures 
• Respiratory failure 
• Ventilation support 
• Acute MI 
• Heart failure 
• Neoplasms 
• Acute kidney injury 
• Anemia 
• Infectious disease 
• Injuries 
• Poisonings/adverse reactions 
• HIV infections 

Module 6: Communication, Physician Education, and Query 
Learning objectives: 

• Describe the traditional role of the clinical documentation specialist 
• Define the role of a query in CDI/coding 
• Demonstrate what constitutes a leading query 
• Identify and discuss the resources that detail when and how to query based on professional industry standards 
• Incorporate industry guidance in the construction of simple queries 
• Identify situations in which verbal, personal communication with physicians is more favorable than written communication 

Module 7: Professionalism, Ethics, and Compliance 
Learning objectives: 

• Maintain confidentiality of the medical record and of information relevant to CDI 
• Identify initiatives that ensure DRG compliance 
• Identify areas of potential DRG creep as identified by the OIG 
• Explain the goals and objectives of a clinical documentation department beyond reimbursement 
• Identify potential compliance risk as identified by PEPPER data 

Module 8: Impact of Reportable Diagnoses on Quality Care Measures 
Learning objectives: 

• Demonstrate knowledge of the significance of documentation and code assignment upon the mortality index 
• Demonstrate knowledge of mortality reviews and interpreting observed to expected ratios 
• Define how quality data are acquired through record abstraction and claims data 
• Explain the significance of these CMS quality metrics: 
• Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program 
• Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program 
• Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program 
• 30-day mortality measures 
• Analyze the financial impact of the Hospital Quality Reporting Program on an organization and the role of CDI regarding CMS quality initiatives 
• Identify the components of PSI 90 and its impact on quality measures 

Module 9: CDI Program Analysis 
Learning objectives: 

• Demonstrate the ability to analyze data and evaluate a CDI program’s trends: 
• CDI productivity metrics 
• Provider response rates 
• Case-mix index 
• Recognize the importance of the following CDI program performance metrics: 
• CMI 
• CC/MCC capture 
• Severity of illness/risk of mortality 
• Hospital value-based purchasing measures 
• Patient Safety Indicators 
• High-frequency DRGs 
• Identify methods for measuring physician performance related to documentation 
• Demonstrate an ability to track and trend data to measure individual physician performance over time 
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of PEPPER 

Module 10: The Exam Experience and Test-Taking Tips 
This module discusses the experience of sitting for the exam and includes test-taking tips and strategies. 

Live Virtual CCDS Exam Prep Class

Questions/Answers

What is the focus of the CCDS Exam Prep Class?
The focus of the CCDS Exam Prep Class is on preparing students who wish to sit for the CCDS examination.

Will this class guarantee a passing score for the CCDS?
No. This class will assist you in your exam preparation. During the comprehensive review conducted in this class, you are likely to identify areas in which you need further study due to your experience level or the type of organization in which you work.

How does this class complement the exam?
The class follows the content outline of the exam, touching on the specific domains of learning that the exam assesses. It provides an overview of the topics relevant to CDI practice and CDI competency.

Does the class provide a practice exam?
Yes! Class attendees will receive access to the CCDS Exam Study Guide practice exam.

What manuals are needed for class?
It is highly recommended that you bring a copy of DRG Expert to class. You will need this manual if you plan on taking the CCDS Exam.

What is the focus of this class?
This class highlights the core skills of a practicing CDI professional, including reimbursement, coding practices, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, CMS quality measures, CDI metrics and professionalism.

Are continuing education credits provided?
This class does not offer continuing education credits.

Who should attend?

• CDI specialists: RNs/MDs
• CDI managers/directors
• Case management directors/managers
• HIM directors/coding managers
• Revenue cycle directors
• DRG coordinators
• Physician advisors/champions
• Quality integrity personnel

How long does the course last?
Three days. Typically, class runs from 11:00 a.m. until at least 5:30 p.m. each day.
Call 800-650-6787 or email sales@hcpro.com for more information.

Is this course available as on-site training?
If you have a group to train, holding this class at your organization is easy and cost-effective. Eliminate travel costs and enjoy a group discount while ensuring your staff is up-to-date on the latest regulations and guidelines. For more information, call 877-233-8734 or click on “Train Groups On-Site” above.

Does HCPro ever share contact information (e.g., name, address, phone number, email address, etc.) with other companies?
Historically, we have not shared contact information with anyone outside of our company. However, it is possible that at some point we might share contact information with other companies that offer products and services that we think would be of interest to our customers. If you would like us to keep your contact information confidential, please let us know so that we can flag your information in our customer database as "Do Not Share."

What if I need to cancel or transfer my registration?
Cancellation Policy
Please click here to view our cancellation policy.

How do I get more information?
Contact our sales team at 800-650-6787 or email sales@hcpro.com.

Live Virtual CCDS Exam Prep Class

Things to Know Before Attending Class

What is Included with Your Purchase

When you purchase a seat for our live virtual boot camps you get online access for one participant to the live sessions, a hard copy of our printed workbook materials, and access to the recordings of the sessions. HCPro reserves the right to revoke your access if we find that you are sharing your login or any of the class information.

Course Materials

You will receive a hard copy of the class materials. These will be shipped to you via UPS. If ordering on our website, please be sure to enter the physical address of where these materials should be shipped to. If you order over the phone or if you are unsure of what address we have on file, please ask the person you are speaking with to verify your address information and update accordingly or call our customer service department. Materials should arrive approximately two business days prior to the start of class.

Virtual Boot Camp Platform

We use GoToMeeting to present our virtual boot camps. To ensure your system supports GoToMeeting, use this link https://support.goto.com/meeting/system-check. We will send out access information for the class 4 business days prior to the class start and again 1 business day prior.

Session Recordings

You will have access to the recordings of each class session via a password protected page on our website. You will be given the page location two business days following the first session. Recordings will be added to the page within one business day following the live session. You will have access to this page for 60 days after the final live session. 

Continuing Education Credits

To receive continuing education credits, you will be required to successfully complete a 40-question quiz that is based off of the content covered throughout the course. Successful completion is achieved by getting at least 80% of the multiple-choice questions correct.

What to Bring to Class

We suggest that you have the following available during the class:

• Highlighter
• Notepaper
• Sticky Notes/flags
• Pen/Pencil

Contact Information

For more information about our Boot Camps, contact us at 800-650-6787 or email sales@hcpro.com.

We Look Forward to Having You In Class!