CPC Basic 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which section of the CPT codebook contains Evaluation and Management (E/M) codes?
- Section I (Correct answer)
- Section II
- Section III
- Section IV
Correct answer: Section I
E/M codes (99202–99499) are found in Section I of the CPT codebook.
Question 2: A coder assigns code 99213 for an office visit. This code belongs to which code set?
- ICD-10-CM
- CPT (Correct answer)
- HCPCS Level II
- ICD-10-PCS
Correct answer: CPT
99213 is a CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) Evaluation and Management code.
Question 3: What does the modifier -25 indicate when appended to an E/M code?
- Reduced services
- Significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as a procedure (Correct answer)
- Repeat procedure by the same physician
- Bilateral procedure
Correct answer: Significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as a procedure
Modifier -25 indicates a significant, separately identifiable E/M service was performed on the same day as another procedure.
Question 4: In ICD-10-CM, how many characters can a code have at maximum?
- 5
- 6
- 7 (Correct answer)
- 8
Correct answer: 7
ICD-10-CM codes can be up to 7 characters in length, with a decimal point after the third character.
Question 5: Which guideline applies when a patient is seen for a condition that is both acute and chronic?
- Code only the acute condition
- Code only the chronic condition
- Code the acute condition first, then the chronic condition (Correct answer)
- Code the chronic condition first, then the acute condition
Correct answer: Code the acute condition first, then the chronic condition
ICD-10-CM guidelines state the acute condition should be sequenced first when both acute and chronic forms of a condition exist.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a 'placeholder' character (X) in ICD-10-CM?
- To indicate an unspecified code
- To fill a position so a required 6th or 7th character can be assigned (Correct answer)
- To identify a bilateral condition
- To flag a code as invalid
Correct answer: To fill a position so a required 6th or 7th character can be assigned
The placeholder X is used to fill positions when a code requires a 6th or 7th character but the preceding position is not needed.
Question 7: Which organization publishes and maintains the CPT code set?
- CMS
- AMA (Correct answer)
- WHO
- AHIMA
Correct answer: AMA
The American Medical Association (AMA) publishes and annually updates the CPT code set.
CPC Basic 2
Which section of the CPT codebook contains Evaluation and Management (E/M) codes?