CPC Test Strategies

Objectives This video will help you: Understand the format of the CPC exam questions. Learn strategies for narrowing down the question choices. Identify key terms and phrases in the questions to help you select the correct answer. This video will help you: Understand the format of the CPC exam questions. Learn strategies for narrowing down the question choices. Identify key terms and phrases in the questions to help you select the correct answer.

CPC Questions Multiple choice Must identify correct codes Few seconds to make each choice All of the questions on the CPC examination are multiple choice. The key to passing this exam is to identify the correct codes by understanding the coding rules and guidelines. You only have a few seconds to respond to each question, so it’s important to quickly narrow down the answer choices.

Understand the modifiers!   This patient undergoes a gallbladder sonogram due to epigastric pain. Code the professional component. A. 76700-26, 789.07 B. 76705-26, 789.06 C. 76775-26, 789.05 D. 76705, 789.07 The first strategy to learn is: understand the modifiers! Read the question and all of the choices. Answer D does not have the modifier -26, which indicates the professional component the question specifically asks for. Therefore D is not correct. <Circle D, then cross it out>   That leaves 3 other choices. Look up the diagnostic codes and find which one is accurately describes epigastric pain. Code 789.06 matches, so you can confidently choose B as your final answer. <Make A, B, C bigger, then highlight B>

Eliminate some choices! This 2 year old boy has a midshaft hypospadias with a mild degree of chordee. He also has a persistent right hydrocele. The surgeon performs a right hydrocele repair and on-stage repair of hypospadias with preputial onlay flap. A. 54322, 55040, 752.61, 752.63, 603.9 B. 54322, 55041-51, 752.61, 752.63, 603.9 C. 54324, 55061-51, 752.61, 752.63, 603.9 D. 54324, 55060, 752.63, 603.9 When you must select multiple procedural codes, eliminate some of the choices. All of the answer choices show two codes--54322 and 54324. Look at codes 54322 and 54324 to see which one most accurately matches the procedure described. Code 54322 is a one-stage repair of the hypospadias, so you can eliminate choices C and D. <Cross out C and D> Now look up 55041 and you will find that it describes a bilateral hydrocele repair. Only a unilateral repair was performed, so choice A is correct. <Circle A>

Read the instructions! Mr. Jones has multiple problems. I am examining him in the intensive care unit. He has fluid overload with acute renal failure and was started on ultra filtration by the nephrologist on duty. He has an abnormal chest x-ray. He has persisting type 2 diabetes mellitus and sepsis. We are left with a patient who is on a ventilator because of respiratory failure. Code the diagnosis(es) only. A. 782.3, 585.9, 792, 250.40, 039.9, 518.81 B. 789.5, 584.7, 793.1, 250.4, 039.0, 518.81 C. 276.50, 587, 793.1, 250.00, 038.9, 518.81, 99223 D. 276.6, 584.9, 793.1, 250.00, 038.9, 518.81, 995.92 Read the instructions to each question carefully. Make sure you watch for directions such as code the diagnosis only. <Highlight Code the diagnosis(es) only. on the slide> Eliminate choice C right away because it includes a procedural code (99223). <Cross out answer C> Next look for patterns, for what stands out in the grouping of codes. All of the remaining choices have the code 250 so look up that code to see which 4th and 5th digit are more accurate. Code 250 is diabetes mellitus but that grouping of codes requires a 5th digit so you can eliminate choice B. <Cross out answer B>The correct code for diabetes mellitus with renal manifestations is 250.40 so that tells you that choice A is correct. <Circle answer A>

Look for differences! The patient presents for a bone marrow biopsy. Bone marrow biopsies were obtained from the left posterior iliac crest. The patient has diffuse, malignant lymphoma. Assign codes for the physician service only. A. 20225, 229.0 C. 38230, 200.10 B. 38221, 202.80 D. 38220, 202.80 Look for differences in answer choices. When looking at the choices look first at any procedure codes that stand out as unique. Ask yourself why one code is so different from the others. Chances are it is meant to throw you off-track. Ignore the code and look at the remaining choices. Both answers B and D have the same diagnostic codes. Look up the codes in numeric order. <Highlight answers B and D> Code 38220 is a bone marrow aspiration, which is not the service provided. <Cross out D> Answer B contains code 38221, which is bone marrow biopsy and therefore would be the correct choice. <Circle B>

Know the guidelines! A wedge biopsy of the pancreas was taken and sent to pathology. The report comes back with primary malignant cells present. A total pancreatectomy was performed. Code the physician services. 48100, 197.8 C. 48155, 48100-51, 157.9 B. 48155, 157.8 D. 48155, 48100-51, 197.8 Knowing the guidelines will enable you to eliminate incorrect choices. First look up the diagnosis codes and eliminate two of the choices. The diagnosis code 157.9 is the code for primary pancreas cancer. This eliminates choices A and D. <Cross out A and D> Now examine procedure code 48155 which reads total pancreatectomy. This code includes any biopsies performed at the same operative setting. Billing the biopsy (48100) with the excision (48155) would be bundling and is not allowed per the guidelines. Therefore the correct choice would be B. <Circle B>

Conclusion Read questions carefully Use your books! Try to narrow down your choices In conclusion, if you read the test questions carefully, use your books, and try to narrow down your choices before selecting an answer, you will be much more likely to do well on the CPC exam. Remember that you can’t know every single code, so the exam is testing your ability to understand the coding guidelines and whether you understand how to use the coding books.