Free Practice Questions for AAPC CPC Exam

Procedure: Impedance testing via tympanometry is performed to assess hearing loss in the left ear.

CPT® Code:

92567: This code is for tympanometry (impedance testing) without reflex threshold measurements.

Code Selection Justification: The procedure involved tympanometry without reflex threshold, which is specifically coded as 92567.

References:

AMA CPT® Professional Edition (current year)

In this encounter, the correct coding order follows ICD-10-CM guidelines for coding multiple conditions when AIDS (B20) is documented, as it takes precedence. The patient's diagnosis of AIDS, documented with code B20, is reported as the primary diagnosis since it is a chronic condition. The M17.31 code is used to document unilateral primary osteoarthritis of the right knee, unrelated to AIDS but causing the patient's knee pain.

Explanation of each answer choice:

A. B20, M17.31: Correctly lists AIDS (B20) as the primary diagnosis and osteoarthritis of the right knee (M17.31) as the secondary diagnosis.

B. Z21, M08.861: Z21 represents asymptomatic HIV, not AIDS, which is incorrect here, and M08.861 is the code for juvenile idiopathic arthritis, not relevant in this case.

C. M17.11, B20: Incorrect as M17.11 is for unilateral primary osteoarthritis of the right knee, not left, and does not prioritize B20 as required.

D. M17.31, B20: Incorrect because it does not list B20 as the primary diagnosis, which is necessary per coding guidelines when AIDS is documented.

Thus, the correct answer is A. B20, M17.31.

1. Procedure and CPT® Code Selection:

The procedure described is a craniectomy to access and remove a supratentorial intracerebral hematoma using a suction device.

CPT® Code 61314 is specific for a craniectomy or craniotomy for evacuation of a hematoma, supratentorial (within the upper portion of the brain), and includes any required dural repair and closure. This code precisely describes the procedure performed to remove the hematoma.

2. Rationale for Excluding Other Options:

Code 61154 is used for a burr hole procedure for the evacuation of a hematoma, which is a less invasive approach and does not involve a craniectomy.

Code 61313 is for a craniectomy or craniotomy to evacuate an infratentorial hematoma, which is located in the lower portion of the brain (posterior fossa) and is not applicable here.

Code 61312 is for evacuation of an epidural or subdural hematoma and does not apply to an intracerebral hematoma as described in this case.

3. AAPC and CPT® Coding Guidelines:

According to AAPC guidelines, 61314 is the appropriate code for craniectomy procedures aimed at removing supratentorial intracerebral hematomas, as it covers the full scope of the documented procedure.

Thus, the correct answer is A. 61314.

Procedure: Gross and microscopic examination of a newborn autopsy.

CPT® Code:

88028: This code is for the autopsy, gross and microscopic examination of a stillborn or newborn.

Code Selection Justification: The procedure described matches the comprehensive postmortem examination of a newborn.

References:

AMA CPT® Professional Edition (current year)

ICD-10-CM (current year)

HCPCS Level II (current year)

For a patient with a mass in the left lower lung suspected to be cancer that is currently documented as a tumor of uncertain behavior, with existing ovarian cancer with metastases to the liver, the ICD-10-CM codes are:

D38.1: Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of bronchus and lung.

C56.9: Malignant neoplasm of unspecified ovary.

C78.7: Secondary malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile duct.

D38.1 is used because the behavior of the lung tumor is uncertain, and C56.9 and C78.7 are used to document the known primary and metastatic cancers.

References:

ICD-10-CM guidelines

AMA's CPT® Professional Edition (current year)

This scenario describes an anterior discectomy and arthroplasty at two levels (L3-L4 and L5-S1) using artificial discs. CPT® code 22857 describes total disc arthroplasty (artificial disc), anterior approach, including discectomy to prepare interspace (other than for decompression), single interspace, lumbar. Since the procedure was performed at two levels, the code should be reported twice.

References:

AMA's CPT® Professional Edition (current year), Code 22857

For a follow-up examination after the removal of polyps with no new polyps found, the appropriate diagnosis codes are:

Z09: Encounter for follow-up examination after completed treatment for conditions other than malignant neoplasm.

Z86.010: Personal history of colonic polyps.

Using Z09 indicates that the follow-up exam is to check the patient after treatment, and Z86.010 indicates a history of colonic polyps, which is relevant to the patient's medical history.

References:

ICD-10-CM guidelines

AMA's CPT® Professional Edition (current year)

1. Procedure and CPT® Code Selection:

The procedure performed was an evisceration of ocular contents without the placement of an implant. The surgical microscope was used for enhanced visualization, but this does not require a separate code if the primary procedure code includes it inherently.

CPT® Code 65091 is used for an evisceration of the ocular contents without implant placement. This code correctly describes the procedure performed on the left eye.

2. Modifier:

Modifier LT is added to indicate that the procedure was performed on the left eye.

3. Exclusion of Code 69990:

Code 69990 is for the use of an operating microscope, but it should not be billed separately when it is used as part of a procedure where enhanced visualization is typical or expected, such as an evisceration procedure. According to CPT® guidelines, 69990 is not separately reported when the microscope is used for visualization in procedures where its use is considered part of the standard of care.

4. Rationale for Excluding Other Options:

Code 65093 is for an evisceration with implant placement, which does not apply since no implant was used.

Options B and C incorrectly include 69990, which is not separately reportable in this scenario.

5. AAPC and CPT® Coding Guidelines:

According to AAPC and CPT® coding guidelines, 65091 is sufficient to capture the procedure without the need to add code 69990 for the microscope.

Therefore, the correct answer is D. 65091-LT.