CPC Medical Coding Systems 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The ICD-10-CM Excludes2 note means:
- The two conditions cannot occur together
- The excluded condition is not included here but may be coded together if both are present (Correct answer)
- The excluded condition is always coded instead
- The condition requires a fifth digit
Correct answer: The excluded condition is not included here but may be coded together if both are present
Excludes2 indicates the excluded condition is not part of the code but may be reported together if the patient has both conditions.
Question 2: A CPT add-on code (+) must always be:
- Reported with modifier -51
- Reported alone without a primary code
- Reported in conjunction with a designated primary procedure code (Correct answer)
- Reported only for evaluation and management services
Correct answer: Reported in conjunction with a designated primary procedure code
Add-on codes are supplemental codes that must accompany a primary procedure code and are never reported independently.
Question 3: Which ICD-10-CM code category is used to report external causes of morbidity?
- A00-B99
- S00-T88
- V00-Y99 (Correct answer)
- Z00-Z99
Correct answer: V00-Y99
ICD-10-CM codes V00-Y99 capture external causes of injuries and health conditions, such as accidents, falls, and poisonings.
Question 4: In CPT, the global surgical package for a major surgery includes postoperative care for how many days?
- 10 days
- 30 days
- 90 days (Correct answer)
- 45 days
Correct answer: 90 days
The standard global surgical package for major procedures includes 90 days of postoperative care following the surgery date.
Question 5: Which character in an ICD-10-CM code indicates laterality?
- 3rd character
- 4th character
- 5th character
- 6th character (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 6th character
In ICD-10-CM, the 6th character commonly identifies laterality (right, left, bilateral) for conditions affecting paired body structures.
Question 6: HCPCS Level II 'J codes' are used to report:
- Durable medical equipment
- Injectable drugs and chemotherapy (Correct answer)
- Ambulance services
- Orthotic procedures
Correct answer: Injectable drugs and chemotherapy
J codes (J0000–J9999) in HCPCS Level II are used to report injectable drugs, including chemotherapy agents.
Question 7: When a patient is admitted for a complication of surgery that occurs during the postoperative period, what is coded as the principal diagnosis?
- The original surgical procedure
- The complication code (Correct answer)
- The original condition that required surgery
- A Z-code for aftercare
Correct answer: The complication code
The postoperative complication is sequenced as the principal diagnosis when it is the reason for the admission.
CPC Medical Coding Systems 3
The ICD-10-CM Excludes2 note means: