1. PMI Online Education
CPC
Test Strategies
CPC Test Strategies

2. Objectives Understand the format
Learn strategies for narrowing down choices
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.
Identify key terms and phrases

3. CPC Questions All questions are multiple choice Narrow down the
Identify the correct codes by understanding the coding rules and guidelines
Narrow down the
answer choices quickly
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.

4. Understand the modifiers
SAMPLE QUESTION
The patient undergoes a gallbladder sonogram due to epigastric pain. Code the professional component. , , ,
76705,
Read the
question and
all of its choices
The first strategy to learn is: Understand the modifiers!
Read the question and all of the choices.
Here’s a sample question: The patient undergoes a gallbladder sonogram due to epigastric pain. Code the professional component.
Answer D does not have the modifier -26, which indicates the professional component the question specifically asks for. Therefore D is not correct.
That leaves 3 other choices. Look up the diagnostic codes and find which one is accurately describes epigastric pain. Code matches, so you can confidently choose B as your final answer.
correct
What is the diagnostic code for epigastric pain?
Does not have
the modifier -26

5. Eliminate some choices
SAMPLE QUESTION
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 one-stage repair of hypospadias with preputial onlay flap.
54322, 55040, , , 603.9
54322, , , , 603.9
54324, , , , 603.9
54324, 55060, , 603.9
When you must select multiple codes, eliminate some of the choices.
54322 is a one-stage repair of the hypospadias
When you must select multiple procedural codes, eliminate some of the choices.
Here’s another sample question: This 2 year-old boy has a midshaft hypospadias (hy-puh-SPAY-dee-uhs) with a mild degree of chordee (KOR-dee). He also has a persistent right hydrocele (HY-druh-seel). The surgeon performs a right hydrocele repair and one-stage repair of hypospadias with preputial (pre-PYOO-shul) onlay flap.
All of the answer choices show two codes and Look at codes these to see which one most accurately matches the procedure described. Code is a one-stage repair of the hypospadias, so you can eliminate choices C and D.
Now look up and you will find that it describes a bilateral hydrocele repair. Only a unilateral repair was performed, so choice A is correct.
correct
55041 describes a bilateral hydrocele repair

6. Read the instructions carefully.
SAMPLE QUESTION
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.
782.3, 585.9, 792, , 039.9,
789.5, 584.7, 793.1, 250.4, 039.0,
276.50, 587, 793.1, , 038.9, , 99223
276.6, 584.9, 793.1, , 038.9, ,
Watch for directions
Read the instructions carefully.
is the code for diabetes mellitus with renal manifestations
Read the instructions to each question carefully. Make sure you watch for directions such as code the diagnosis only.
Here’s the sample question: 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 a nephrologist on duty. He has an abnormal chest x-ray. He has persisting type 2 diabetes mellitus (MEL-uh-tus) and sepsis. We are left with a patient who is on a ventilator because of respiratory failure. Code the diagnosis(es) only.
Eliminate choice C right away because it includes a procedural code (99223).
Next look for patterns that stand 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. The correct code for diabetes mellitus with renal manifestations is so that tells you that choice A is correct.
correct
Are there any patterns that stand out?
250 is diabetes mellitus and requires a 5th digit

7. Why are these codes different?
Look for differences
SAMPLE QUESTION
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.
20225, 229.0
38221,
38230,
38220,
Look for different answer choices.
Look for differences in answer choices.
Here’s the sample question: 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.
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.
Code is a bone marrow aspiration, which is not the service provided.
Answer B contains code 38221, which is bone marrow biopsy and therefore would be the correct choice.
38221 is the code for bone marrow biopsy
Why are these codes different?
correct
Which procedure codes stand out as unique?
38220 is the code for bone marrow aspiration

8. Bundling is not allowed per the guidelines
Know the guidelines
SAMPLE QUESTION
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
48155, 157.8
48155, , 157.9
48155, , 197.8
Knowing the guidelines will enable you to eliminate choices.
Knowing the guidelines will enable you to eliminate incorrect choices.
Here’s the sample question: A wedge biopsy of the pancreas was taken and sent to pathology. The report comes back with primary malignant cells present. A total pancreatectomy (pan-kree-uh-TEK-tuh-mee) was performed. Code the physician services.
First look up the diagnosis codes and eliminate two of the choices. The diagnosis code is the code for primary pancreas cancer. This eliminates choices A and D.
Now examine the procedure code 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.
48155 includes any biopsies performed at the same setting
157.9 is the code for primary pancreas cancer
correct
What is the diagnosis code?
Bundling is not allowed per the guidelines

9. What to do Understand coding guidelines Use coding books
Read the test questions carefully
The exam will be testing how well you can:
Understand coding guidelines
Use coding books
Use your books
Narrow down the
answer choices first
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 NOT 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.

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