LaShanda Watson is a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and has a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management. She has 34 years' experience in Medical Coding and 14 years* experience in medical Billing She has taught various medical coders and billers throughout her career. Her current background is in inpatient and outpatient coding (multi-specialty). She also has a history in medical chart audits.

In the 1990's as a new coder, certification was not required, but I decided to become certified because the industry was changing. In asking the elder coders what it took for them to pass the certification exam, they told me that all I needed to know was the coding guidelines. I studied the guidelines and went to sit for the certification. I missed passing the certification on the first try by two points. I had no idea that the certification exam itself was not based on knowing the coding guidelines. It was based on how to apply the guidelines. Once I learned how to apply the coding guidelines, I passed the certification exam on my second try.