Basic Flashcards

Which section of ICD-10-CM contains codes for factors influencing health status (such as immunizations or family history)?

Answer: Chapter 21

Chapter 21 of ICD-10-CM contains Z codes, which describe factors influencing health status and contact with health services.

A claim is submitted with an ICD-10-CM code that is not at its highest level of specificity. This is called:

Answer: Truncated coding

Truncated coding occurs when a code is not reported at the maximum specificity available in ICD-10-CM.

When reporting anesthesia services, time is calculated in units. What is one standard anesthesia time unit?

Answer: 15 minutes

One anesthesia time unit equals 15 minutes of anesthesia administration time.

Which of the following best describes 'unbundling' in medical coding?

Answer: Reporting multiple component codes when a comprehensive code should be used

Unbundling is the improper practice of billing multiple separate codes when a single comprehensive code should be used.

A patient is admitted with chest pain; workup reveals unstable angina. What is the principal diagnosis for the inpatient stay?

Answer: Unstable angina

The principal diagnosis for an inpatient stay is the condition determined after study to be chiefly responsible for admission — here, unstable angina.

Which CPT modifier is used when a procedure is discontinued after anesthesia induction but before the surgical incision?

Answer: -53

Modifier -53 is used by the physician when a procedure is discontinued after anesthesia has been administered but before the procedure is completed.

In CPT coding, what does a triangle (▲) symbol next to a code indicate?

Answer: Revised code description

A triangle (▲) symbol in the CPT codebook indicates that the code's description has been revised from the prior year.