Free Practice Questions for AAPC CPC Exam

To code for anesthesia services, we select the correct CPT® anesthesia code based on the procedure, modifiers, and physical status of the patient:

00800 represents "Anesthesia for procedures on the lower abdomen not otherwise specified," which includes procedures like a panniculectomy. The code 00802 is not appropriate here because it is used for lower abdominal procedures involving "major lower abdominal vessels," which does not apply to a panniculectomy.

AA Modifier indicates that the anesthesia services were personally performed by the anesthesiologist, as stated in the scenario.

P3 Modifier reflects a physical status of 3, which indicates a patient with a "severe systemic disease," matching the patient's documented condition.

The emergency modifier 99140 is not appropriate here, as there is no indication that the procedure was performed under emergency conditions.

Thus, the correct answer is 00800-AA-P3.

The correct J codes are selected based on the specific medications administered and their quantities:

J2405 represents "ondansetron, 1 mg," and since the patient received a 2 mg dose, J2405 is reported once with a quantity of 2 mg.

J1885 represents "ketorolac tromethamine, 15 mg," which matches the single 15 mg dose administered to the patient, so J1885 is reported once.

Each J code is billed according to the precise dosage given, as no multipliers are required beyond the single-unit codes provided in choice A, making it the correct answer.

1. Procedure and CPT® Code Selection:

The patient underwent a bilateral excisional vasectomy for sterilization.

CPT® Code 55250 represents a bilateral vasectomy with excision, which includes postoperative care. The code already implies a bilateral procedure, so it is not necessary to add the -50 modifier for bilateral designation.

2. Diagnosis and ICD-10-CM Code Selection:

ICD-10-CM Code Z30.2 is used for encounter for sterilization and is the correct code to report for a planned sterilization procedure such as a vasectomy.

Code Z30.012 is specific to encounter for sterilization of a female patient, which does not apply in this male patient scenario.

3. Rationale for Excluding Other Options:

55250-50 (in options C and D) is unnecessary because the CPT® code 55250 inherently covers a bilateral vasectomy, and applying the -50 modifier is redundant.

Z30.012 (options B and D) is incorrect as it pertains to female sterilization procedures, not male.

4. AAPC and CPT® Coding Guidelines:

According to AAPC guidelines, 55250 is reported without a bilateral modifier, as the procedure inherently covers both sides. Additionally, Z30.2 is the correct ICD-10-CM code for male sterilization procedures.

Thus, the correct answer based on CPT® and ICD-10-CM guidelines is A. 55250, Z30.2.

1. E/M Code Category Selection:

The patient is a 19-year-old seen by his primary care physician for an annual preventive exam. His last exam was four years ago, and he has no complaints, indicating a preventive rather than problem-focused visit.

CPT® Code 99385 is for a new patient preventive visit for ages 18-39. Since the patient’s last visit was four years ago, this qualifies him as a new patient by CPT® standards (a patient is considered new if they have not received any professional services from the physician within the past three years).

2. Rationale for Excluding Other Options:

Code 99395 is for an established patient preventive visit for ages 18-39, which does not apply here since the patient is considered new after four years.

Code 99394 is for a preventive visit for an established patient aged 12-17, which does not match the patient’s age.

Code 99384 is for a new patient preventive visit for ages 12-17, which also does not apply given the patient’s age of 19.

3. AAPC and CPT® Coding Guidelines:

According to CPT® guidelines, 99385 is appropriate for a new patient in the 18-39 age range for a preventive visit, especially when they have not seen the provider in over three years.

Therefore, the correct answer is A. 99385.

1. Procedure and CPT® Code Selection:

The cardiologist provided remote monitoring over a 30-day period for a hemodynamic pulmonary artery pressure monitor implanted in a patient with congestive heart failure.

CPT® Code 93264 is appropriate for remote monitoring of a hemodynamic system for up to 30 days. This code includes services such as weekly data transmissions, interpretation, trend analysis, and reporting—exactly as described in this case.

2. Rationale for Excluding Other Options:

Code 93286 is for in-person interrogation and programming of pacemakers or defibrillators, not for remote monitoring of a hemodynamic monitor, making it incorrect.

Code 93288 is for interrogation device evaluation (remote), specifically for pacemakers or defibrillators, and does not apply to a pulmonary artery pressure monitor.

Code 93279 is for in-person programming of certain cardiac devices, which does not match the remote monitoring described in this scenario.

3. AAPC and CPT® Coding Guidelines:

AAPC and CPT® guidelines specify that 93264 is the correct code when reporting remote hemodynamic monitoring for a pulmonary artery pressure device over a period of up to 30 days, including data review and interpretation.

Therefore, the correct answer is B. 93264.

1. Procedure and CPT® Code Selection:

The patient underwent a pulmonary function test that included spirometry, vital capacity, breathing capacity, and flow volume measurements before and after bronchodilator administration.

CPT® Code 94060 is for spirometry, including the bronchodilator responsiveness testing, which involves capturing pre- and post-bronchodilator measurements. This code accurately reflects the testing performed.

CPT® Code 94010 is for spirometry testing without bronchodilator, which might be considered redundant in this case since 94060 encompasses spirometry testing with and without bronchodilator. However, some practices may code both, but generally, 94060 alone should suffice.

2. Diagnosis and ICD-10-CM Code Selection:

ICD-10-CM Code J45.901 is used for unspecified asthma with acute exacerbation. This code is appropriate given that the diagnosis indicates intermittent asthma with exacerbation.

J45.21 represents mild intermittent asthma without the specification of exacerbation, making it less accurate than J45.901 in this context.

3. Rationale for Excluding Other Options:

Code 94070 (options B and C) is for bronchospasm provocation testing, which does not apply to standard pulmonary function testing with bronchodilator responsiveness.

Option D includes J45.21, which does not capture the exacerbation aspect and is therefore incorrect.

4. AAPC and CPT® Coding Guidelines:

According to AAPC guidelines, 94060 should be used when pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry is performed, and J45.901 is appropriate for asthma with exacerbation.

Therefore, the correct answer is A. 94060, 94010, J45.901.

1. Procedure and CPT® Code Selection:

The obstetric panel ordered includes the following tests: syphilis screening (non-treponemal), automated CBC with manual differential WBC count, HBsAg, rubella antibody, serum antibody screen, and ABO/Rh blood typing.

CPT® Code 80055 is for a comprehensive obstetric panel that includes all these components. This code is intended to report the entire panel of tests as a bundled service rather than itemizing each individual test.

2. Rationale for Excluding Other Options:

Option B lists the individual component codes for each test in the obstetric panel (e.g., 85027, 85007, 87340, etc.), but using 80055 is more appropriate because it provides a single code to report the full obstetric panel and follows CPT® bundling guidelines.

Option C also lists the individual tests separately, which is unnecessary when 80055 includes all these components.

Option D lists 80081, which is for an obstetric panel that includes HIV testing. Since HIV testing is not part of the tests described in this scenario, 80081 is incorrect.

3. AAPC and CPT® Coding Guidelines:

AAPC guidelines recommend using the single code 80055 when all components of an obstetric panel are ordered together, as itemizing each test individually is not necessary.

Therefore, the correct answer is A. 80055.

The CABG procedure involved multiple bypasses, with the use of autologous saphenous vein grafts and the left internal mammary artery, along with an extensive modified MAZE procedure. CPT® code 33535 describes a coronary artery bypass using arterial grafts, including at least three coronary artery bypasses. CPT® code 33259-51 is for the MAZE procedure for supraventricular tachycardia, with the -51 modifier indicating multiple procedures. CPT® code 33519-51 is for an additional vein graft, and CPT® code 33508-51 describes the endoscopic harvesting of the vein.

References:

AMA's CPT® Professional Edition (current year), Codes 33535, 33259-51, 33519-51, 33508-51

The procedure performed is a bilateral screening mammogram with computer-aided detection (CAD). CPT code 77067 is for bilateral screening mammography with CAD. ICD-10-CM code Z12.31 is for an encounter for screening mammogram for malignant neoplasm of the breast. Z80.3 is for a family history of malignant neoplasm of the breast. Therefore, the correct coding is 77067, Z12.31, Z80.3. References: CPT® Professional Edition (current year), ICD-10-CM (current year).

This patient presents to the ER with syncope, requiring a comprehensive evaluation and critical care. Here's the breakdown of the codes:

CPT Code 99291-25: Critical care, evaluation and management of the critically ill or critically injured patient; first 30-74 minutes  

This code is appropriate because the patient's syncope and vital signs (low blood pressure, shallow respirations, low oxygen saturation) indicate a critical condition requiring immediate intervention.

Modifier -25: Significant, Separately Identifiable Evaluation and Management Service by the Same Physician on the Same Day of the Procedure or Other Service. This modifier is appended because the critical care services were provided in addition to the separately reported procedures below.  

CPT Code 92950: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eg, CPR, external cardiac massage, endotracheal intubation, ventilation)

While the documentation doesn't explicitly mention CPR, it states the patient was unresponsive upon arrival but had spontaneous pulse and respirations. This suggests possible resuscitation efforts were performed by the paramedics before the physician's assessment.

CPT Code 31500: Intubation, endotracheal, emergency procedure

Although not explicitly stated, the documentation indicates the patient was placed on "high flow oxygen," which strongly suggests endotracheal intubation was performed to manage the patient's respiratory distress.

CPT Code 82803: Blood gases, arterial, pH, PCO2, PO2, with oxygen saturation; interpretation and report

This code is likely reported based on the patient's respiratory distress and the need to monitor their oxygenation status.

Why other options are incorrect:

99285: This is a standard emergency department visit code and doesn't capture the critical nature of the patient's condition.

99285-25, 99291-25, 92950, 31500, 82803: This includes 99285, which is not necessary as 99291 encompasses the evaluation and management.

99291-25, 99292-25, 92950, 31500: This includes 99292, which is for subsequent critical care time. There's no indication in the documentation that the physician provided critical care beyond the initial 74 minutes.

References:

CPT Codes 99281-99285: Emergency department visits

CPT Codes 99291-99292: Critical care services

CPT Code 92950: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CPT Code 31500: Endotracheal intubation

CPT Code 82803: Arterial blood gases

AAPC Coder's Desk Reference: This resource provides detailed information on coding guidelines and procedures.