Certified Coding Associate Exam Certified Coding Associate Knowledge 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When coding an outpatient visit, which condition should be reported as the first-listed diagnosis?
- The most chronic condition
- The condition chiefly responsible for the visit (Correct answer)
- The most expensive condition to treat
- The condition with the highest code number
Correct answer: The condition chiefly responsible for the visit
For outpatient visits, the condition chiefly responsible for the visit (after study) is sequenced as the first-listed diagnosis per UHDDS guidelines.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of a Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II code?
- 99213
- 27447
- A4253 (Correct answer)
- 70553
Correct answer: A4253
HCPCS Level II codes begin with a letter followed by four digits (e.g., A4253 for blood glucose test strips), distinguishing them from CPT numeric codes.
Question 3: What is the correct ICD-10-CM code category for adverse effects of drugs taken correctly as prescribed?
- T36–T50 with 5th character 5 (Correct answer)
- T36–T50 with 5th character 1
- S00–S09
- Y40–Y59
Correct answer: T36–T50 with 5th character 5
Adverse effects of drugs properly administered are coded with T36–T50 using the 5th character '5' (adverse effect).
Question 4: Which CPT code range covers Radiology services?
- 10004–69990
- 70010–79999 (Correct answer)
- 80047–89398
- 90281–99199
Correct answer: 70010–79999
Radiology CPT codes are found in the range 70010–79999, covering diagnostic imaging, radiation oncology, and nuclear medicine.
Question 5: 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
- Specificity available (Correct answer)
- Generality
- Documentation
Correct answer: Specificity available
When a specific code is unavailable, coders should assign the most specific code supported by the available documentation — coding to the highest level of specificity available.
Question 6: Which modifier is appended to a CPT code when a surgical procedure is performed by two surgeons acting as co-surgeons?
- -62 (Correct answer)
- -66
- -80
- -82
Correct answer: -62
Modifier -62 (Two Surgeons) is used when two surgeons of different specialties each perform distinct portions of a single reportable procedure.
Question 7: In ICD-10-CM, the abbreviation 'NEC' means:
- Not elsewhere coded
- Not elsewhere classified (Correct answer)
- Not exactly coded
- No established criteria
Correct answer: Not elsewhere classified
'NEC' stands for 'Not Elsewhere Classified' and identifies conditions that have no more specific code available in the classification.
Certified Coding Associate Exam Certified Coding Associate Knowledge 3
When coding an outpatient visit, which condition should be reported as the first-listed diagnosis?