CPC Practice 3

Question 1

A physician performs a laparoscopic appendectomy and also performs an incidental laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the same session. How should this be reported?

Accepted Answer

Report both procedures with modifier -51 on the secondary procedure

Answer

Both procedures should be reported, with modifier -51 appended to the secondary (lower-valued) procedure to indicate multiple procedures.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Reporting component codes separately when a comprehensive code should be used

Answer

Unbundling occurs when services covered by a single comprehensive CPT code are billed as separate codes, inflating reimbursement.

Question 3

A patient has Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic chronic kidney disease, stage 3. Which ICD-10-CM combination code captures both conditions?

Accepted Answer

E11.22

Answer

E11.22 represents Type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic chronic kidney disease, stage 3 as a combination code.

Question 4

Which of the following describes the correct sequencing when a patient is admitted for chemotherapy and also has the underlying malignancy?

Accepted Answer

Sequence the chemotherapy encounter code (Z51.11) first, followed by the malignancy code

Answer

When the admission is solely for chemotherapy, Z51.11 is the principal diagnosis; the malignancy is coded as a secondary diagnosis.

Question 5

What is the global surgical period for most major surgeries in the Medicare fee schedule?

Accepted Answer

90 days

Answer

Medicare assigns a 90-day global period to most major surgical procedures, encompassing pre- and post-operative care.

CPC - Certified Professional Coder Practice Test

CPC - Certified Professional Coder Practice Test

CPC Practice 3