CPC Study Guide 2026

Everything you need to pass the CPC exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.

📋 CPC Exam Format at a Glance

100

Questions

240 min

Time Limit

70.00%

Passing Score

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📚 CPC Topics to Study (33)

Code Validation & Billing Procedures · 9 cards Compliance & Regulatory Guidelines · 9 cards Procedure Coding & Documentation · 9 cards Anesthesia Coding · 7 cards Anesthesia Coding · 7 cards Anesthesia Coding · 7 cards Code Validation & Billing Procedures · 7 cards Code Validation & Billing Procedures · 7 cards Code Validation & Billing Procedures · 7 cards Code Validation & Billing Procedures · 7 cards Compliance & Regulatory Guidelines · 7 cards Compliance & Regulatory Guidelines · 7 cards Compliance & Regulatory Guidelines · 7 cards Compliance & Regulatory Guidelines · 7 cards Procedure Coding & Documentation · 7 cards Procedure Coding & Documentation · 7 cards Procedure Coding & Documentation · 7 cards Procedure Coding & Documentation · 7 cards CPT Modifiers & Special Coding Situations · 6 cards CPT Modifiers & Special Coding Situations · 6 cards CPT Modifiers & Special Coding Situations · 6 cards Evaluation & Management (E/M) Coding · 6 cards Evaluation & Management (E/M) Coding · 6 cards Evaluation & Management (E/M) Coding · 6 cards ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding · 6 cards ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding · 6 cards ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding · 6 cards Medical Terminology & Anatomy · 6 cards Medical Terminology & Anatomy · 6 cards Medical Terminology & Anatomy · 6 cards

See all 33 topics as flashcards →

✍️ Sample CPC Questions & Answers

1. When a procedure note states 'difficult dissection due to prior surgery, procedure took 2.5× normal time,' which modifier best captures the additional work?

✓ -22

Modifier -22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when the work is substantially greater than typically required, and documentation must support the claim.

2. The suffix '-itis' at the end of a medical term indicates:

✓ Inflammation

The suffix '-itis' means inflammation, as in appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix).

3. Which Medicare term describes the amount Medicare has approved for a covered service?

✓ Medicare Fee Schedule amount

The Medicare Fee Schedule amount (approved amount) is the maximum amount Medicare will pay for a covered service based on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

4. What is the definition of a 'new patient' for E/M coding purposes?

✓ A patient who has not received professional services from the physician or group within the past 3 years

A new patient is one who has not received any professional services from the physician/qualified health care professional or another in the same group of the same specialty within the past 3 years.

5. A Qui Tam lawsuit under the False Claims Act allows which party to file a lawsuit on behalf of the federal government?

✓ Private whistleblower (relator)

Qui Tam provisions allow private individuals (relators or whistleblowers) to file FCA suits on the government's behalf and receive a portion of any recovery.

6. The 'three-day payment window' rule requires that outpatient services provided within how many days before an inpatient admission must be bundled into the inpatient DRG payment?

✓ 3 days

CMS's three-day payment window rule requires that most outpatient diagnostic services and related non-diagnostic services provided within 3 days prior to inpatient admission be included in the DRG payment.

🎯 Free CPC Practice Tests

Compliance & Regulatory Guidelines · 9 questions Code Validation & Billing Procedures · 9 questions Procedure Coding & Documentation · 9 questions Anesthesia Coding · 7 questions Procedure Coding & Documentation · 7 questions Procedure Coding & Documentation · 7 questions Procedure Coding & Documentation · 7 questions Code Validation & Billing Procedures · 7 questions Code Validation & Billing Procedures · 7 questions Procedure Coding & Documentation · 7 questions

📖 CPC Guides & Articles

Your CPC Study Path

1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation

🃏 CPC Flashcards (222)🏆 CPC Exam Simulation

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