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. A patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) also has hypertension. Per ICD-10-CM guidelines, how should this be coded? → I12.11 and N18.6
2. A coder cannot find a specific code and assigns a less specific code instead. This is known as coding to the highest level of: → Specificity available
3. Which of the following is a valid ICD-10-CM code format? → K21.0
4. Which section of ICD-10-PCS uses a 7-character alphanumeric code structure? → All sections of ICD-10-PCS
5. Which CPT modifier indicates a procedure was performed on the left side of the body? → -LT
6. Which healthcare setting uses the UB-04 claim form for billing? → Inpatient hospital and outpatient facilities
7. HCPCS Level II codes are used primarily to report which of the following? → Supplies, durable medical equipment, and non-physician services
8. When coding an encounter for chemotherapy administration in ICD-10-CM, which code is sequenced first? → The Z code for encounter for antineoplastic chemotherapy
9. The GPCI factors the following factors into the RBRVS calculation: → The gegraphic location of a practice of a practice or provider
10. Under ICD-10-CM guidelines, signs and symptoms that are integral to a confirmed disease are: → Not coded separately, as they are included in the confirmed diagnosis code
11. Which of the following is an example of an external cause code in the ICD-10-CM coding system? → Fall from a ladder
12. HCPCS Level II modifier 'LT' is used to indicate which of the following? → Left side
13. According to UHDDS guidelines, what is the definition of 'other diagnoses' for inpatient reporting? → Conditions that coexist at admission or develop subsequently and affect patient care
14. 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)
15. Which of the following scenarios requires the use of an external cause code (V00–Y99) in ICD-10-CM? → A patient with a fracture sustained in a motor vehicle accident
16. A patient is seen in the ED and diagnosed with chest pain, rule out MI. The workup is negative. What is the correct coding approach for this outpatient visit? → Code the chest pain as the reason for the visit
17. Which CPT modifier is appended when a procedure or service is reduced or eliminated at the physician's discretion? → -52
18. Which type of code describes a disease, condition, or injury? → ICD-10-CM code
19. Which of the following statements is true about CCA certification requirements? → A certain amount of work experience is required.
20. What does the term 'deficiency analysis' mean in health information management? → Identifying incomplete or missing elements in health records
21. Which of the following best describes the 'Excision' root operation in ICD-10-PCS? → Cutting out or off, without replacement, a portion of a body part
22. Which of the following is a part of the ICD-10-PCS code structure? → Seven alphanumeric characters
23. What is a Remittance Advice (RA)? → A document sent by payers explaining payment or denial of claims
24. What does the CPT coding system primarily focus on? → Outpatient procedures and services
25. What does CCA stand for in the context of healthcare? → Certified Coding Associate
26. What is the purpose of an Excludes2 note in ICD-10-CM? → The excluded condition may be coded together with the code above when both are present
27. Which organization develops and maintains the ICD-10 code sets? → WHO
28. What is the primary function of a Release of Information (ROI) process? → To manage and control the disclosure of patient health information
29. What does the 7th character 'A' represent in ICD-10-CM injury codes? → Initial encounter
30. In CPT coding, what does the term 'unbundling' refer to? → Billing component services separately when a comprehensive code exists