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AAPC CPC Exam Questions
- Topic 1: The Business of Medicine: This section of the exam measures the skills of medical coders and covers foundational knowledge regarding the healthcare system, reimbursement models, insurance payers, HIPAA compliance, and the ethical responsibilities coders hold within clinical and billing environments. It establishes the context in which coding decisions directly affect healthcare operations and financial outcomes.
- Topic 2: Review of Anatomy: This section of the exam measures the skills of coding specialists and covers a high-level understanding of human anatomy. It includes organs, systems, directional terminology, and anatomical locations, enabling coders to link procedures and diagnoses to the correct bodily structures with accuracy and consistency.
- Topic 3: Overview of ICD-10-CM: This section of the exam measures the skills of medical coders and introduces the structure, format, and usage of the ICD-10-CM coding system. It reviews the purpose of ICD-10-CM in diagnosis reporting and prepares candidates to interpret chapters, code ranges, and conventions embedded in the system.
- Topic 4: Applying the ICD-10-CM Guidelines: This section of the exam measures the skills of coding specialists and covers how to apply official ICD-10-CM guidelines to real-world coding scenarios. It emphasizes the hierarchy of instructional notes, general and chapter-specific rules, and how to make judgment calls within compliant coding frameworks.
- Topic 5: Accurate ICD-10-CM Coding: This section of the exam measures the skills of medical coders and focuses on the precise assignment of diagnosis codes using the ICD-10-CM system. The goal is to ensure accurate representation of patient conditions, proper sequencing, and a clear linkage between diagnoses and services.
- Topic 6: Introduction to CPT®, HCPCS Level II, and Modifiers: This section of the exam measures the skills of coding specialists and introduces candidates to CPT® coding for procedures, HCPCS Level II for supplies and services, and the correct use of modifiers. It helps learners distinguish between different code sets and understand their place in medical billing.
- Topic 7: Integumentary System: This section of the exam measures the skills of medical coders and covers procedures related to the skin and related structures. Topics include excisions, biopsies, repairs, and destruction services, focusing on accurate code selection and modifier usage for integumentary interventions.
- Topic 8: Musculoskeletal System: This section of the exam measures the skills of coding specialists and focuses on coding procedures involving bones, joints, muscles, and tendons. It covers surgeries, reductions, arthroscopies, and fracture treatments, emphasizing accurate mapping of procedures to anatomical areas.
- Topic 9: Respiratory System: This section of the exam measures the skills of medical coders and evaluates the ability to code procedures involving the nose, sinuses, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. Attention is given to services like endoscopies, excisions, and resections within the respiratory tract.
- Topic 10: Cardiovascular System: This section of the exam measures the skills of coding specialists and addresses services related to the heart, arteries, and veins. It involves the coding of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including catheterizations, bypasses, and repairs.: Hemic & Lymphatic Systems, Mediastinum, Diaphragm: This section of the exam measures the skills of medical coders and includes procedures related to the spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, as well as surgical interventions in the mediastinum and diaphragm. Coders must differentiate procedures by region and system accurately.
- Topic 11: Digestive System: This section of the exam measures the skills of coding specialists and evaluates the coding of surgeries and procedures involving the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and related organs. Understanding endoscopic procedures is particularly critical here.
- Topic 12: Urinary System and Male Genital System: This section of the exam measures the skills of medical coders and assesses understanding of procedures on kidneys, bladder, ureters, prostate, and male reproductive organs. Proper use of CPT codes for surgical and diagnostic interventions is tested.
- Topic 13: Female Reproductive System and Maternity Care & Delivery: This section of the exam measures the skills of coding specialists and evaluates coding accuracy for gynecological and obstetric procedures. It includes deliveries, antepartum care, cesarean sections, and surgical procedures involving female reproductive anatomy.
- Topic 14: Endocrine System and Nervous System: This section of the exam measures the skills of medical coders and assesses the ability to assign codes for surgeries involving glands, the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Procedures like resections and electrical stimulation are part of the evaluated content.
- Topic 15: Special Senses (Ocular and Auditory): This section of the exam measures the skills of coding specialists and covers the coding of procedures related to the eyes and ears. Topics include surgeries on the cornea, retina, and middle/inner ear, as well as related diagnostic procedures.
- Topic 16: Anesthesia: This section of the exam measures the skills of medical coders and involves coding anesthesia services based on surgical site, complexity, and time. It tests the understanding of anesthesia modifiers and the importance of linking anesthesia codes with the correct primary procedures.
- Topic 17: Radiology: This section of the exam measures the skills of coding specialists and focuses on diagnostic imaging procedures including X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, and nuclear medicine. It emphasizes proper selection of codes based on anatomical site and modality used.
- Topic 18: Pathology & Laboratory: This section of the exam measures the skills of medical coders and includes lab tests, specimen analysis, and pathological examination procedures. It ensures that coders understand how to apply codes for chemistry panels, cultures, and histopathological diagnostics.
- Topic 19: Evaluation & Management Services: This section of the exam measures the skills of coding specialists and covers office visits, hospital care, consultations, and other E/M services. It tests the understanding of time-based coding, medical decision-making, and history/exam components per current CMS guidelines.
Free AAPC CPC Exam Actual Questions
Note: Premium Questions for CPC were last updated On Aug. 14, 2025 (see below)
A couple presents to the freestanding fertility clinic to start in vitro fertilization. Under radiologic guidance, an aspiration needle is inserted (by aid of a superimposed guiding-line) puncturing the ovary and preovulatory follicle and withdrawing fluid from the follicle containing the egg.
What is the correct CPT code for this procedure?
The procedure involves the aspiration of fluid from an ovarian follicle to retrieve the egg under radiologic guidance.
Procedure Description:
Aspiration needle insertion.
Puncture of the ovary and preovulatory follicle.
Withdrawal of fluid containing the egg.
Radiologic guidance was used.
CPT Coding:
58976: Aspiration of ovarian follicle(s) with ultrasound guidance.
AMA's CPT Professional Edition (current year).
CPT Assistant for detailed coding guidelines on reproductive procedures.
A 60-year-old male suffering from degenerative disc disease at the L3-L4 and L5-S1 levels was placed under general anesthesi
a. Using an anterior approach, the L3-L4 disc space was exposed. Using blunt dissection, the disc space was cleaned. The disc space was then sized and trialed. Excellent placement and insertion of the artificial disc at L3-L4 was noted. The area was inspected and there was no compression of any nerve roots. Same procedure was performed on L5-S1 level. Peritoneum was then allowed to return to normal anatomic position and entire area was copiously irrigated. The wound was closed in a layered fashion. The patient tolerated the discectomy and arthroplasty well and was returned to recovery in good condition. What CPT coding is reported for this procedure?
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.
AMA's CPT Professional Edition (current year), Code 22857
Which place of service code is submitted on the claim for a service that is performed in an outpatient surgical floor?
The place of service code 22 is used for services performed in an outpatient hospital setting, including outpatient surgical floors. This code indicates that the procedure was done in a hospital but not requiring an inpatient admission. Reference: AMA's CPT Professional Edition (current year), Place of Service Codes.
Patient had polyps removed on a previous colonoscopy. The patient returns three months later for a follow-up examination for another colonoscopy. No new polyps are seen.
What diagnosis coding is reported for the second colonoscopy?
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.
ICD-10-CM guidelines
AMA's CPT Professional Edition (current year)
A patient had surgery a year ago to repair two flexor tendons in his forearm. He is in surgery for a secondary repair for the same two tendons.
Which CPT coding is reported?
The scenario involves a secondary repair of two flexor tendons in the forearm. CPT code 25272 describes the repair of a secondary flexor tendon injury, including a graft, in the forearm and/or wrist, which fits the description provided. This code should be reported once, as the procedure encompasses the repair of multiple tendons.
AMA's CPT Professional Edition (current year), Code 25272
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