Wiki CHONC TEST PREP

[cmrios003@gmail.com]

Hello,
I am taking my CHONC in August. I am taking the class and have the study guides/practice exam. I also currently work in a Hematology Oncology practice. I have three questions:

1.) Is the specialty book for hematology oncology sold by the AAPC considered a reference book? I get mixed answers on this. I have been making many notes in it and would like to use it.

2.) What areas should I really make sure to study? I’ve done a few webinars on E&M and have the updated worksheets for 2021. I think I’m pretty strong in this section. The class is extremely easy. I just really want to pass with an above average score. That’s a personal preference so it’s very important to me that I have all my I’s dotted and T’s crossed.

3.) How has having a CHONC affected your career as a coder? I can’t find any articles about it or the benefits.

 

[rachaelwilleford]

1. It's a good begining source. ASTRO (Radiation) and ASCO (Medical) have some resources available. Also AMAC has a radiation certification whose study guide is pretty thorough. AAPC's certification I feel is pretty surface for oncology and leans towards the medical oncology side of things with diagnosis knowledge.

2. I was surprised by the amount of E&M leveling on the test. That being said, the practice exams in the book and online give a good idea of how the test is.

3. My current employer required it, but I also work in an outpatient facility oncology clinic and infusion center. I have worked in oncology going on 11 years. Our hospital system employs certified coders who work on the charge capturing for the hospital system as a whole, however our area has dedicated billing and coding staff. It's definitely helped me with codes, but I work in an out of the box role (I handle everything from authorizations, charge capture, credentialing, etc).

 

[jszewczyk]

Hello,
I am taking my CHONC in August. I am taking the class and have the study guides/practice exam. I also currently work in a Hematology Oncology practice. I have three questions:

1.) Is the specialty book for hematology oncology sold by the AAPC considered a reference book? I get mixed answers on this. I have been making many notes in it and would like to use it.

2.) What areas should I really make sure to study? I’ve done a few webinars on E&M and have the updated worksheets for 2021. I think I’m pretty strong in this section. The class is extremely easy. I just really want to pass with an above average score. That’s a personal preference so it’s very important to me that I have all my I’s dotted and T’s crossed.

3.) How has having a CHONC affected your career as a coder? I can’t find any articles about it or the benefits.

Did you take the test? I am curious if there are a lot of E/M case. Any suggestion? I though the class was easy too, i never took AAPC exam but I heard they are very difficult.

 

[danachock]

Hello cmrios003@gmail.com
I am hearing your concerns on the CHONC, back 10 years ago I had just obtained my CANPC for anesthesia when I was already waist deep in pathology and felt I absolutely needed this specialty too. I had "very quick crash course" on coding this - like 2 hours from my colleague Bless her fricking heart on a Saturday. She told me the important stuff. I didn't finish early taking the CHONC but the crash course on HCPCS codes helped me tremendously to prepare. I cannot stress to also make sure you know the HCPCS codes and your "neoplastic table" on this and tab your book.
The other question you had was this new certification going to help you? It might? You know that the CODING MARKET is so completely HOT right now for ANY coder. If you are looking for a bump in pay increase, please just simply ask for it (do not wait - it could be a bump you would receive now in addition to your normal annual bump)".
My opinion - I would rather talk about anything except money with anyone (even my husband) but when you hold this newly acquired certification in front of you do you feel you deserve a bump? Between you and me I didn't get a bump for the CHONC, CPMA, CPB, OR RHIT so I just left. Personally, I just found my new forever career and won't be leaving. But, please take some of my advice to heart especially if your current medical facility isn't giving you a bump to possibly transition elsewhere.
Please, do not hold back on your potential. If you are not on LinkedIn you simply should be (profile and the whole nine yards, those looking for coders are reviewing your information). Especially if your just simply there and not even looking. I am not even looking but simply getting hammered everyday to apply for something, but, my pathology colleagues know that I found "my new forever career as a pathologist specialist". So I simply and very graciously apologize.


So sorry, I left without the rest of the information. (This is the only information I added from my original post moving down).
Dana Chock, CPC, CANPC, CHONC, CPMA, CPB, RHIT