Certified Medical Coding Specialist Professional Standards & Competencies 3

Question 1

The 'minimum necessary' standard under HIPAA requires covered entities to:

Accepted Answer

Disclose only the PHI needed to accomplish the intended purpose

Answer

The minimum necessary standard limits PHI disclosure to only what is required to fulfill the specific purpose.

Question 2

Which act established voluntary compliance programs as a key strategy for healthcare fraud prevention?

Accepted Answer

OIG Compliance Program Guidance

Answer

The OIG Compliance Program Guidance promotes voluntary compliance programs as a proactive fraud-prevention strategy.

Question 3

When a patient has two diagnoses that are equally responsible for admission, the coder should:

Accepted Answer

Query the physician to designate the principal diagnosis

Answer

When two conditions equally meet the definition of principal diagnosis, the physician must designate which to sequence first.

Question 4

A Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) must be provided to patients:

Accepted Answer

At the first service delivery and upon request thereafter

Answer

HIPAA requires covered entities to provide the NPP at the first point of service and make it available upon subsequent request.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of a business associate under HIPAA?

Accepted Answer

A medical transcription company that processes patient records

Answer

A medical transcription company that performs services involving PHI on behalf of a covered entity is a business associate.

Certified Medical Coding Specialist Practice Test