If you have ever looked at a seasoned coder’s manuals, you may notice something immediately — tabs everywhere, sticky notes, highlights, and handwritten reminders in the margins.
And if I’m being honest… my books are full of notes.
Sometimes I even catch myself wondering:
“Did I add too much?”
But for me, those notes serve an important purpose. They help me simplify my decision-making process, remind me of common pitfalls, and ensure I don’t overlook the simple things that could lead to inaccurate coding.
When you’re coding daily or preparing for certification exams like CPC or CANPC, your manuals become more than just books — they become tools you customize to fit how you think and how you work.
Why I Tab and Annotate My Manuals
For me, prepping my books helps with:
✔ Speed – Quickly locating frequently used sections
✔ Accuracy – Leaving reminders about common coding mistakes
✔ Confidence – Having quick reference notes during exams or audits
✔ Pattern recognition – Identifying procedures or rules I see repeatedly
Sometimes the smallest note in the margin can save a lot of time.
A Few Things You Might Find in My Manuals
Some of the things I commonly add include:
Quick reminders
- “Bilateral = use modifier -59”
- “Add together the same anatomical groupings”
- “Complicated – No -22”
Crosswalk notes
– For anesthesia coding, I often jot down reminders such as:
- Surgical procedure → Anesthesia CPT crosswalk
- Documentation reminders for modifiers
- Notes about qualifying circumstances
Sometimes these quick reminders help prevent overlooking something simple that could lead to inaccurate coding.
Do You Ever Feel Like Your Book Is Too Full?
I’ve heard coders say:
“My book is so full of notes I wonder if I’ve added too much.”
My perspective is this:
If the notes help you code more accurately and confidently, they’re serving their purpose.
Every coder develops their own system of organization.
What works for one person might not work for another—and that’s perfectly okay.
I’d Love to Hear From You
So I’m curious…
Do you tab and prep your coding manuals for daily use or certification exams?
- Do you feel like you add too many notes?
- What tabs or reminders do you rely on the most?
- What is one tip in your coding manual that you feel other coders would benefit from?
Sometimes the best learning comes from sharing what works for each other.
Drop your tips below — you might help another coder simplify their process.
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