Certified Coding Associate Exam Certified Coding Associate Knowledge 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which ICD-10-CM convention indicates that a code requires an additional character to be valid?
- NEC
- NOS
- A placeholder X (Correct answer)
- Code first
Correct answer: A placeholder X
A placeholder 'X' is used in ICD-10-CM to allow for future expansion and must be used to fill out required character positions.
Question 2: In CPT coding, what does the term 'unbundling' refer to?
- Combining multiple services into one code
- Billing separately for services normally included in a comprehensive code (Correct answer)
- Using modifiers to reduce reimbursement
- Grouping related E/M codes together
Correct answer: Billing separately for services normally included in a comprehensive code
Unbundling is the improper practice of billing separately for component services that should be reported with a single comprehensive code.
Question 3: A patient is seen for essential hypertension and type 2 diabetes with diabetic chronic kidney disease stage 3. How many ICD-10-CM codes are required?
- 1
- 2
- 3 (Correct answer)
- 4
Correct answer: 3
Three codes are needed: E11.22 (type 2 diabetes with diabetic chronic kidney disease), N18.3 (CKD stage 3), and I10 (essential hypertension).
Question 4: Which CPT modifier indicates a procedure was performed on the left side of the body?
- -RT
- -LT (Correct answer)
- -50
- -51
Correct answer: -LT
Modifier -LT (Left Side) is appended to CPT codes to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body.
Question 5: Under HIPAA, which entity is classified as a 'covered entity'?
- Medical equipment manufacturer
- Health plan (Correct answer)
- Pharmaceutical company
- Medical transcription service
Correct answer: Health plan
Health plans, healthcare clearinghouses, and healthcare providers who transmit health information electronically are classified as covered entities under HIPAA.
Question 6: Which section of the CPT manual contains codes for Evaluation and Management services?
- 99100–99140
- 99202–99499 (Correct answer)
- 99500–99607
- 99000–99082
Correct answer: 99202–99499
E/M codes are found in the range 99202–99499 in the CPT manual, covering office visits, hospital care, and other encounter types.
Question 7: What does the abbreviation 'PCS' stand for in the context of ICD-10?
- Patient Classification System
- Procedure Coding System (Correct answer)
- Primary Care Standard
- Physician Coding Schedule
Correct answer: Procedure Coding System
PCS stands for Procedure Coding System, the inpatient procedural coding system used alongside ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes.
Certified Coding Associate Exam Certified Coding Associate Knowledge 2
Which ICD-10-CM convention indicates that a code requires an additional character to be valid?