AAPC - American Academy of Professional Coders Evaluation and Management Coding Questions and Answers

Question 1

An established patient is seen for management of two stable chronic illnesses and one acute, uncomplicated illness.
The provider performs a medically appropriate history and examination.
According to the 2024 E/M guidelines, which element of Medical Decision Making (MDM) does this encounter meet?

Accepted Answer

Moderate Number and Complexity of Problems Addressed

Answer

Low Number and Complexity of Problems Addressed

Answer

High Number and Complexity of Problems Addressed

Answer

Straightforward Number and Complexity of Problems Addressed

Question 2

A physician performs an office consultation for a new patient and spends a total of 75 minutes on the date of the encounter. The time for a level 5 new patient office visit (99205) is 60 minutes. Which CPT® code(s) should be reported for this service?

Accepted Answer

99205, 99417

Answer

99205 only

Answer

99204, 99417

Answer

99205, 99354

Question 3

When selecting an E/M service level based on Medical Decision Making (MDM), which of the following is NOT one of the three core elements?

Accepted Answer

Complexity of the Medically Appropriate History and/or Examination

Answer

Number and Complexity of Problems Addressed

Answer

Amount and/or Complexity of Data to be Reviewed and Analyzed

Answer

Risk of Complications and/or Morbidity or Mortality of Patient Management

Question 4

An established patient presents to the office with a sore throat and fever. The physician diagnoses acute pharyngitis. The management decision involves prescribing an antibiotic. What is the level of risk associated with this patient management decision?

Accepted Answer

Low

Answer

Minimal

Answer

Moderate

Answer

High

Question 5

Which of the following activities can be included when calculating the total time for selecting an E/M code?

Accepted Answer

Reviewing test results and preparing for the patient's visit on the same day

Answer

Time spent by clinical staff performing a blood draw

Answer

The provider's travel time to the clinic

Answer

General teaching time not specific to the patient's encounter

Question 6

For the purpose of MDM, which of the following constitutes an 'independent historian'?

Accepted Answer

A parent providing a history for a young child

Answer

The patient themselves, if they are a reliable source

Answer

A student scribe documenting the visit

Answer

The patient's prior medical record from the same practice