Question 1

Which of the following answers below identifies all three different types of blood cells?

Accepted Answer

A) Neutrophils, Eosinophils, and Basophils 
B) Monocytes, Leukocytes, and Platelets 
C) Erythrocytes, Leukocytes, and Thrombocytes 
D) Erythrocytes, Monocytes, and Leukocytes

Question 2

When selecting an evaluation and management code, what is the first thing that the coder needs to determine?

Accepted Answer

A) The time the provider spent with the patient 
B) The appropriate category of E&M service 
C) Whether the patient was new or established 
D) How long the discharge took

Question 3

In the RBRVS calculation, the GPCI takes into account:

Accepted Answer

A) The geographic location of a practice or provider 
B) The type of provider specialty 
C) The malpractice risk of a procedure 
D) The overhead cost of the practice

Question 4

Mr. Beck was recently seen in the hospital by Dr. Johnson, who is his PCP. Dr. Johnson usually treats Mr. Beck for his stomach issues, but he has not had any problems in the last four years, so he has not scheduled any follow-up appointments. Mr. Beck was recently weed-eating in his backyard when a rock flew up and hit him in the eye. Dr. Johnson was the on-call physician, who treated Mr. Beck for his eye injury. He recommended that Mr. Beck schedule a follow-up visit the next week. Will Dr. Johnson bill the follow-up visit as a new patient or as an established patient?

Accepted Answer

A) New 
B) Established 
C) Not enough information provided to determine patient status

Question 5

Jenny is on dialysis three times a week, 4 hours a day, due to her End-Stage Renal Disease. Yesterday she went into her primary care office and they diagnosed her with anemia, as a side-effect of her ESRD. What are the correct ICD-9 codes for her visit?

Accepted Answer

A) 285.22, 585.1 
B) 285.21, 585.9 
C) 585.6, 282.21 
D) 285.21, 585.6

Question 6

HIPAA was created to:

Accepted Answer

A) Protect patient privacy 
B) Enact ways to uncover fraud and abuse 
C) Create standards of electronic transactions 
D) All of the above 
E) Only options A and B

Question 7

The HCPCS manual includes codes for:

Accepted Answer

A) Procedures that are also found in the CPT coding manual 
B) Supplies, services, and procedures that are not found in the CPT manual 
C) Only supplies that you cannot find in the CPT manual 
D) All services performed in the office, except for procedures

Question 8

Etta has been using corticosteroids for severe hay fever asthma for the last few years, and is now experiencing some eye problems. Her physician told her that she was only in the early stages of glaucoma, which could be treated to ensure her vision for the rest of her life. What is the correct code for the ICD-9 codes for Etta's condition?

Accepted Answer

A) 365.31, 365.71 
B) 365.32, 365.71 
C) 365.31, 365.72 
D) 365.9, 365.71

Question 9

An adolescent patient's hard contact lenses were shattering when a bouncy ball that he was playing with at school bounced up at hit him in the eye. The patient was transported to the emergency department where the on-call physician removed the contact lens fragments from his cornea, using a slit lamp. What is the correct code for the procedure?

Accepted Answer

A) 65205 
B) 65210 
C) 65220 
D) 65222

Question 10

A 30-year-old woman with high-risk pregnancy suffered a splenic rupture due to a car accident. What is the correct ICD-9-CM diagnosis code for the mother's injury?

Accepted Answer

A) 767.8 
B) 865.04 
C) 867.9 
D) 289.59

Question 11

The physician performed a partial Nissen Fundoplasty via a lower thoracic incision. What is the correct code for this procedure?

Accepted Answer

A) 43327 
B) 43328 
C) 43325 
D) 43331

Question 12

What is the difference between a craniotomy and a craniectomy?

Accepted Answer

A) A craniotomy removes a part of the skull and allows the surgeon to perform the craniectomy 
B) They are the same thing 
C) A craniotomy removes a part of the skull and replaces it once the procedure is finished. A craniectomy removes a part of the skull and does not replace it. 
D) A craniotomy allows access into the patient's spinal column. A craniectomy is repairs the patient's spinal column.

Question 13

Mr. Jones was examined after a car accident as a requirement of his car insurance claim. Which modifier is appropriate to use on the claim?

Accepted Answer

A) -22 
B) -51 
C) -99 
D) -32

Question 14

A physician performed the following trigger point injections: Two injections into the flexor carpi muscle
One injection into the extensor carpi muscle
Three injections into the triceps brachii
One injection into the biceps brachii
What is the correct code for these injections?

Accepted Answer

A) 20553 (X7) 
B) 20553 
C) 20552 (X2), 20553 (X5) 
D) 20552, 77021

Question 15

A physician excised the head of the humeral bone and replaced it with the appropriate implant. What is the correct code for this procedure?

Accepted Answer

A) 23195 
B) 23470 
C) 23195, 23470 
D) 23472

Question 16

HOSPITAL CHARGE SHEET PATIENT: Carson, Cason
AGE: 10
DATE OF ADMISSION: 01/02/2014
DIAGNOSIS: Coccidiomycosis Meningitis
DATE OF DISCHARGE: 01/08/2014
The patient was admitted on 01/02/2014 complaining of a severe headache and hyperpyrexia. An lumbar puncture determined on 01/02/2014 that the patient was suffering from coccidiomycosis meningitis. The patient was administered antibiotics and admitted to the hospital for observation and management of the condition. The patient's condition improved slowly with a regression on 01/05/2014, at which time the antibiotics were changed. After the change in medication, the patient's condition rapidly improved and by 01/07/2014, the patient no longer developed a fever or headache when not on pain medications. On 01/08/2012, the physician spent 20 minutes managing patient discharge, with instructions to continue antibiotics and pain medications, as needed.
What E&M service codes would be reported for this service?

Accepted Answer

A) 99222 (X2), 99232 (X3), 99231 (X3), 99238 (X2) 
B) 99232 (X7) 
C) 99222, 99232, 99231 (X6) 
D) 99222, 99232 (X3), 99231 (X2), 99238

Question 17

The HCPCS Level II modifier -E1 stands for:

Accepted Answer

A) Lower Right, Eyelid 
B) Upper Right, Eyelid 
C) Upper Left, Eyelid 
D) Right Hand, Thumb

Question 18

Two weeks ago, James was walking in the mountains and scratched his leg with a large branch on the edge of the trail. Yesterday, he went to the pediatrician's office because his scratch was not healing and was getting worse. Today, he is being seen again by the pediatrician, who diagnosed James with MRSA cellulitis at the site of the wound on his leg. Which of the following represents the correct code(s) for today's visit?

Accepted Answer

A) 682.6, 041.12 
B) 686.9, 041.11 
C) 958.3, 041.12 
D) 041.12

Question 19

A pediatric patient with a history of asthma and pneumonia presented to the office with severe respiratory distress. The pediatrician performed a detailed history and comprehensive examination, and diagnosed the patient with status asthmaticus. A pulse oxygen level was taken and it was determined that the patient's blood oxygen level was at 88%. The patient was started on a nebulizer treatment at 0950 hours, which lasted until 1015 hours. The physician then re-checked the patient and determined that the patient's breathing had only slightly improved. A pulse oxygen level was taken again and it was determined that the patient was at 92%. The physician then ordered another nebulizer treatment, which was started at 1032 and continued until 1054. After this second breathing treatment, an additional pulse oxygen level was taken and the patient's blood oxygen level had risen to 97%. The pediatrician then determined that the patient needed to be sent for chest x-rays to determine whether or not pneumonia was present in the lungs. Due to the resulting amount of data and risk, the pediatrician considered the MDM of high complexity. The total time spent with the patient was 1 hour 45 minutes.
What E&M codes would you use to code for the office visit?

Accepted Answer

A) 99214, 99354, 99355 (X2) 
B) 99215, 99354, 99355 
C) 99215, 99355 (X3) 
D) 99215, 99354, 99355 (X2)

Question 20

The patient, a 35-year-old female with well-controlled Type I diabetes mellitus, received anesthesia for a regular vaginal delivery with no complications. Code for the anesthesia services only.

Accepted Answer

A) 01961 - P3 
B) 62310 
C) 01960 - P3 
D) 01960 - P2

Exam 1: Free Coding Specialist