Certified Medical Coding Specialist Medical Coding (CMCS) Sample 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient is seen for a sprained left ankle. The ICD-10-CM code for the initial encounter would include which 7th character?
- A (Correct answer)
- D
- S
- G
Correct answer: A
The 7th character 'A' designates an initial encounter in ICD-10-CM injury coding.
Question 2: Which CPT code range covers Evaluation and Management (E/M) services for hospital inpatient care?
- 99201-99215
- 99221-99223 (Correct answer)
- 99241-99245
- 99281-99285
Correct answer: 99221-99223
CPT codes 99221-99223 are used for initial hospital inpatient care services.
Question 3: When a patient has both Medicare Part A and a secondary payer, which is billed first?
- Secondary payer
- Medicare Part A (Correct answer)
- The payer with the higher reimbursement
- The patient's most recent insurer
Correct answer: Medicare Part A
Medicare Part A is the primary payer and must be billed before any secondary insurance.
Question 4: Which modifier indicates a bilateral procedure was performed?
- -50 (Correct answer)
- -51
- -52
- -53
Correct answer: -50
Modifier -50 is appended to a procedure code to indicate it was performed bilaterally.
Question 5: In CPT coding, what does the term 'separate procedure' mean when listed in a code description?
- The procedure is always billed separately
- The procedure is only reported when not part of a larger service (Correct answer)
- The procedure requires a modifier
- The procedure is an add-on code
Correct answer: The procedure is only reported when not part of a larger service
A 'separate procedure' designation means the code should only be reported when the procedure is not integral to a larger, more comprehensive service.
Question 6: Which HCPCS Level II code letter prefix is used for durable medical equipment (DME)?
- A
- E (Correct answer)
- L
- K
Correct answer: E
HCPCS Level II codes beginning with 'E' are designated for durable medical equipment.
Question 7: A coder is assigning an ICD-10-CM code for a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic chronic kidney disease, stage 3. Which code set applies?
- E11.65 and N18.3 (Correct answer)
- E11.9 and N18.3
- E13.65 and N18.3
- E11.40 and N18.3
Correct answer: E11.65 and N18.3
E11.65 captures type 2 diabetes with hyperglycemia and a combination note directs adding N18.3 for the CKD stage.
Certified Medical Coding Specialist Medical Coding (CMCS) Sample 2
A patient is seen for a sprained left ankle.
The ICD-10-CM code for the initial encounter would include which 7th character?