Certified Coding Associate Exam Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Certified Coding Associate Exam facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following is a valid ICD-10-CM code format? → K21.0
2. HCPCS Level II codes are used primarily to report which of the following? → Supplies, durable medical equipment, and non-physician services
3. The GPCI factors the following factors into the RBRVS calculation: → The gegraphic location of a practice of a practice or provider
4. Which of the following is an example of an external cause code in the ICD-10-CM coding system? → Fall from a ladder
5. HCPCS Level II modifier 'LT' is used to indicate which of the following? → Left side
6. What is the name of the federal initiative to identify and address erroneous payments made through Medicare's Fee-for-Service (FFS) programs? → Recovery audit contractors (RACs)
7. Which CPT modifier is appended when a procedure or service is reduced or eliminated at the physician's discretion? → -52
8. Which type of code describes a disease, condition, or injury? → ICD-10-CM code
9. Which of the following statements is true about CCA certification requirements? → A certain amount of work experience is required.
10. What does the term 'deficiency analysis' mean in health information management? → Identifying incomplete or missing elements in health records
11. Which of the following is a part of the ICD-10-PCS code structure? → Seven alphanumeric characters
12. What is a Remittance Advice (RA)? → A document sent by payers explaining payment or denial of claims
13. What does the CPT coding system primarily focus on? → Outpatient procedures and services
14. What does CCA stand for in the context of healthcare? → Certified Coding Associate
15. Which organization develops and maintains the ICD-10 code sets? → WHO
16. What is the primary function of a Release of Information (ROI) process? → To manage and control the disclosure of patient health information
17. What does the 7th character 'A' represent in ICD-10-CM injury codes? → Initial encounter
18. When a patient is admitted due to a complication of a medical device, which ICD-10-CM code category is typically assigned? → T codes for complications of surgical and medical care
19. Which Medicare part covers inpatient hospital services? → Medicare Part A
20. How is a traumatic fracture coded in ICD-10-CM for a patient who is presenting for a follow-up visit after initial treatment? → Use the fracture code with 7th character 'D' for subsequent encounter
21. What does the abbreviation PHI mean? → Protected health information
22. What is the main diagnosis in an outpatient setting? → The reason the paient came in for the visit
23. What does the acronym 'EOB' stand for in medical billing? → Explanation of Benefits
24. The following are the names of the most recent Medicare claims processing payment contract entities: → Medicare administrative contractors (MACs)
25. A compliance program in a healthcare organization is primarily designed to: → Prevent, detect, and correct non-compliance with laws and regulations
26. What does the acronym "HIPAA" stand for in the context of medical coding? → Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
27. What is the correct code format for HCPCS Level II codes? → One letter followed by four numeric digits
28. What does the ICD-10-CM instruction 'Code first' indicate? → A mandatory sequencing instruction requiring an underlying condition be coded first
29. What does CCA stand for in the context of healthcare? → Certified Coding Associate
30. Which HCPCS Level II code letter series (A codes) primarily represents? → Transportation, medical and surgical supplies, and administrative codes