Solution and Answer Guide: Green, 3-2-1 Code It! 2025, 979821411098; Chapter 1: Overview of Coding
Solution and Answer Guide
GREEN, 3-2-1 C ODE IT! 2025, 979821411098; C HAPTER 1: OVERVIEW OF CODING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Exercises........................................................................................................................1
Exercise 1.1: Career as a Coder................................................................................................................. 1
Exercise 1.2: Professional Associations.................................................................................................... 2
Exercise 1.3: Coding Systems and Processes............................................................................................3
Exercise 1.4: Other Classification Systems and Databases....................................................................... 4
Exercise 1.5: Documentation as Basis for Coding.....................................................................................6
Exercise 1.6: Health Data Collection.........................................................................................................8
Review...........................................................................................................................9
Multiple Choice......................................................................................................................................... 9
EXERCISES
EXERCISE 1.1: CAREER AS A CODER
1. A coder is required to have a working knowledge of the CPT, HCPCS Level II, ICD-10-CM, and
__________ coding systems.
Answer: ICD-10-PCS
Analysis: A coder must have a working knowledge of the CPT, HCPCS Level II, ICD-10-CM, and ICD-10-
PCS coding systems.
2. The complexity and intensity of procedures performed and services provided during an outpatient or
physician office encounter are captured as part of __________ coding.
Answer: professional
Analysis: The complexity and intensity of procedures performed and services provided during an outpatient
or physician office encounter are captured as part of professional coding.
3. The intensity of services and severity of illness associated with inpatient care are captured as part of
__________ (or facility) coding.
Answer: institutional
Analysis: The intensity of services and severity of illness associated with inpatient care are captured as
part of institutional (or facility) coding.
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 1
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Solution and Answer Guide: Green, 3-2-1 Code It! 2025, 979821411098; Chapter 1: Overview of Coding
4. When a multi-hospital system provides physician office services along with traditional inpatient, outpatient,
and emergency department hospital care, the concept of __________ coding is adopted to facilitate
professional and institutional billing.
Answer: single-path
Analysis: When a multi-hospital system provides physician office services along with traditional inpatient,
outpatient, and emergency department hospital care, the concept of single-path coding is adopted to
facilitate professional and institutional billing.
5. A profession that is closely related to that of a coder is a health __________ specialist (or claims
examiner). This role involves reviewing health-related claims to determine whether the costs are reasonable
and medically necessary based on the patient’s diagnosis reported for procedures performed and services
provided.
Answer: insurance
Analysis: A profession that is closely related to that of a coder is a health insurance specialist (or claims
examiner). This role involves reviewing health-related claims to determine whether the costs are
reasonable and medically necessary based on the patient’s diagnosis reported for procedures performed
and services provided.
EXERCISE 1.2: PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
1. Students who become members of __________ associations usually pay a reduced membership fee.
Answer: professional
Analysis: Students who become members of professional associations usually pay a reduced membership
fee.
2. Attending professional association conferences and meetings provides opportunities to __________ (or
interact) with other professionals, which can facilitate internship or job placement.
Answer: network
Analysis: Attending professional association conferences and meetings provides opportunities to network
(or interact) with other professionals, which can facilitate internship or job placement.
3. A medical assistant usually joins the American Medical Technologists (AMT) or the __________.
Answer: American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
Analysis: A medical assistant usually joins the American Medical Technologists (AMT) or the American
Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
4. An Internet-based discussion forum that covers a variety of professional topics and issues is called an
online __________ board.
Answer: discussion
Analysis: An Internet-based discussion forum that covers a variety of professional topics and issues is
called an online discussion board.
5. A coder usually joins either the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or the
__________.
Answer: AAPC
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 2
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Solution and Answer Guide: Green, 3-2-1 Code It! 2025, 979821411098; Chapter 1: Overview of Coding
Analysis: A coder usually joins either the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
or the AAPC. (The AAPC was founded as the American Academy of Professional Coders and uses just the
abbreviation today.)
EXERCISE 1.3: CODING SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES
1. A medical nomenclature that is organized according to similar conditions, diseases, procedures, and
services, and contains codes for each, is called a __________ (or classification) system.
Answer: coding
Analysis: A medical nomenclature that is organized according to similar conditions, diseases, procedures,
and services, and contains codes for each, is called a coding (or classification) system.
2. All diseases, injuries, and reasons for an encounter, whether patients are treated as inpatients or outpatients,
are coded using the __________ classification system.
Answer: ICD-10-CM
Analysis: All diseases, injuries, and reasons for an encounter, whether patients are treated as inpatients or
outpatients, are coded using the ICD-10-CM classification system.
3. Inpatient hospital procedures and services are coded using the __________ classification system.
Answer: ICD-10-PCS
Analysis: Inpatient hospital procedures and services are coded using the ICD-10-PCS classification
system.
4. A public or private entity that processes or facilitates the processing of health information and claims from
a nonstandard to a standard format is called a health care __________.
Answer: clearinghouse
Analysis: A public or private entity that processes or facilitates the processing of health information and
claims from a nonstandard to a standard format is called a health care clearinghouse.
5. Routinely assigning lower-level CPT codes for convenience instead of reviewing patient record
documentation and the coding manual to determine the proper code to be reported is called __________.
Answer: downcoding
Analysis: Routinely assigning lower-level CPT codes as a convenience instead of reviewing patient record
documentation and the coding manual to determine the proper code to be reported is called downcoding.
6. Reporting codes that are not supported by documentation in the patient record for the purpose of increasing
reimbursement is called __________.
Answer: upcoding
Analysis: Reporting codes that are not supported by documentation in the patient record for the purpose of
increasing reimbursement is called upcoding.
7. Reporting codes for signs and symptoms in addition to the established diagnosis code is called
__________.
Answer: overcoding
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 3
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Solution and Answer Guide: Green, 3-2-1 Code It! 2025, 979821411098; Chapter 1: Overview of Coding
Analysis: Reporting codes for signs and symptoms in addition to the established diagnosis code is called
overcoding.
8. Reporting multiple codes to increase reimbursement when a single combination code should be reported is
called __________.
Answer: unbundling
Analysis: Reporting multiple codes to increase reimbursement when a single combination code should be
reported is called unbundling.
9. Coders should always avoid assumption coding, and can do so by generating a physician __________ when
documentation needs clarification prior to the assignment of codes.
Answer: query
Analysis: Coders should always avoid assumption coding, and can do so by generating a physician query
when documentation needs clarification prior to the assignment of codes.
10. Automating the medical coding process is the goal of __________, which uses a natural language
processing engine to “read” electronic health records and generate codes while artificial intelligence
software uses machine learning and algorithms during the analysis of patient data to generate codes.
Answer: computer-assisted coding (CAC)
Analysis: Automating the medical coding process is the goal of computer-assisted coding (CAC), which
uses a natural language processing engine to “read” electronic health records and generate codes while
artificial intelligence software uses machine learning and algorithms during the analysis of patient data to
generate codes.
EXERCISE 1.4: OTHER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS AND DATABASES
1. The classification of neoplasms used by cancer registries throughout the world to record the incidence of
malignancy and survival rates is called the __________.
Answer: International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, Third Edition (ICD-O-3)
Analysis: The classification of neoplasms used by cancer registries throughout the world to record the
incidence of malignancy and survival rates is called the ICD-O-3. (The capital letter O in the classification
system’s abbreviation refers to Oncology.)
2. Specific sets of patient characteristics (or case-mix groups) that are used to make payment determinations
for prospective payment systems are represented by __________ rate codes.
Answer: Health Insurance Prospective Payment System (HIPPS)
Analysis: Specific sets of patient characteristics (or case-mix groups) that are used to make payment
determinations for prospective payment systems are represented by Health Insurance Prospective Payment
System (HIPPS) rate codes.
3. The integration and distribution of key terminology, classification and coding standards, and associated
resources to facilitate the use of effective and interoperable biomedical information systems and services
uses the __________.
Answer: Unified Medical Language System (UMLS)
Analysis: The integration and distribution of key terminology, classification and coding standards, and
associated resources to facilitate the use of effective and interoperable biomedical information systems and
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 4
accessible website, in whole or in part.
Solution and Answer Guide
GREEN, 3-2-1 C ODE IT! 2025, 979821411098; C HAPTER 1: OVERVIEW OF CODING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Exercises........................................................................................................................1
Exercise 1.1: Career as a Coder................................................................................................................. 1
Exercise 1.2: Professional Associations.................................................................................................... 2
Exercise 1.3: Coding Systems and Processes............................................................................................3
Exercise 1.4: Other Classification Systems and Databases....................................................................... 4
Exercise 1.5: Documentation as Basis for Coding.....................................................................................6
Exercise 1.6: Health Data Collection.........................................................................................................8
Review...........................................................................................................................9
Multiple Choice......................................................................................................................................... 9
EXERCISES
EXERCISE 1.1: CAREER AS A CODER
1. A coder is required to have a working knowledge of the CPT, HCPCS Level II, ICD-10-CM, and
__________ coding systems.
Answer: ICD-10-PCS
Analysis: A coder must have a working knowledge of the CPT, HCPCS Level II, ICD-10-CM, and ICD-10-
PCS coding systems.
2. The complexity and intensity of procedures performed and services provided during an outpatient or
physician office encounter are captured as part of __________ coding.
Answer: professional
Analysis: The complexity and intensity of procedures performed and services provided during an outpatient
or physician office encounter are captured as part of professional coding.
3. The intensity of services and severity of illness associated with inpatient care are captured as part of
__________ (or facility) coding.
Answer: institutional
Analysis: The intensity of services and severity of illness associated with inpatient care are captured as
part of institutional (or facility) coding.
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 1
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Solution and Answer Guide: Green, 3-2-1 Code It! 2025, 979821411098; Chapter 1: Overview of Coding
4. When a multi-hospital system provides physician office services along with traditional inpatient, outpatient,
and emergency department hospital care, the concept of __________ coding is adopted to facilitate
professional and institutional billing.
Answer: single-path
Analysis: When a multi-hospital system provides physician office services along with traditional inpatient,
outpatient, and emergency department hospital care, the concept of single-path coding is adopted to
facilitate professional and institutional billing.
5. A profession that is closely related to that of a coder is a health __________ specialist (or claims
examiner). This role involves reviewing health-related claims to determine whether the costs are reasonable
and medically necessary based on the patient’s diagnosis reported for procedures performed and services
provided.
Answer: insurance
Analysis: A profession that is closely related to that of a coder is a health insurance specialist (or claims
examiner). This role involves reviewing health-related claims to determine whether the costs are
reasonable and medically necessary based on the patient’s diagnosis reported for procedures performed
and services provided.
EXERCISE 1.2: PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
1. Students who become members of __________ associations usually pay a reduced membership fee.
Answer: professional
Analysis: Students who become members of professional associations usually pay a reduced membership
fee.
2. Attending professional association conferences and meetings provides opportunities to __________ (or
interact) with other professionals, which can facilitate internship or job placement.
Answer: network
Analysis: Attending professional association conferences and meetings provides opportunities to network
(or interact) with other professionals, which can facilitate internship or job placement.
3. A medical assistant usually joins the American Medical Technologists (AMT) or the __________.
Answer: American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
Analysis: A medical assistant usually joins the American Medical Technologists (AMT) or the American
Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
4. An Internet-based discussion forum that covers a variety of professional topics and issues is called an
online __________ board.
Answer: discussion
Analysis: An Internet-based discussion forum that covers a variety of professional topics and issues is
called an online discussion board.
5. A coder usually joins either the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or the
__________.
Answer: AAPC
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 2
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Solution and Answer Guide: Green, 3-2-1 Code It! 2025, 979821411098; Chapter 1: Overview of Coding
Analysis: A coder usually joins either the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
or the AAPC. (The AAPC was founded as the American Academy of Professional Coders and uses just the
abbreviation today.)
EXERCISE 1.3: CODING SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES
1. A medical nomenclature that is organized according to similar conditions, diseases, procedures, and
services, and contains codes for each, is called a __________ (or classification) system.
Answer: coding
Analysis: A medical nomenclature that is organized according to similar conditions, diseases, procedures,
and services, and contains codes for each, is called a coding (or classification) system.
2. All diseases, injuries, and reasons for an encounter, whether patients are treated as inpatients or outpatients,
are coded using the __________ classification system.
Answer: ICD-10-CM
Analysis: All diseases, injuries, and reasons for an encounter, whether patients are treated as inpatients or
outpatients, are coded using the ICD-10-CM classification system.
3. Inpatient hospital procedures and services are coded using the __________ classification system.
Answer: ICD-10-PCS
Analysis: Inpatient hospital procedures and services are coded using the ICD-10-PCS classification
system.
4. A public or private entity that processes or facilitates the processing of health information and claims from
a nonstandard to a standard format is called a health care __________.
Answer: clearinghouse
Analysis: A public or private entity that processes or facilitates the processing of health information and
claims from a nonstandard to a standard format is called a health care clearinghouse.
5. Routinely assigning lower-level CPT codes for convenience instead of reviewing patient record
documentation and the coding manual to determine the proper code to be reported is called __________.
Answer: downcoding
Analysis: Routinely assigning lower-level CPT codes as a convenience instead of reviewing patient record
documentation and the coding manual to determine the proper code to be reported is called downcoding.
6. Reporting codes that are not supported by documentation in the patient record for the purpose of increasing
reimbursement is called __________.
Answer: upcoding
Analysis: Reporting codes that are not supported by documentation in the patient record for the purpose of
increasing reimbursement is called upcoding.
7. Reporting codes for signs and symptoms in addition to the established diagnosis code is called
__________.
Answer: overcoding
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 3
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Solution and Answer Guide: Green, 3-2-1 Code It! 2025, 979821411098; Chapter 1: Overview of Coding
Analysis: Reporting codes for signs and symptoms in addition to the established diagnosis code is called
overcoding.
8. Reporting multiple codes to increase reimbursement when a single combination code should be reported is
called __________.
Answer: unbundling
Analysis: Reporting multiple codes to increase reimbursement when a single combination code should be
reported is called unbundling.
9. Coders should always avoid assumption coding, and can do so by generating a physician __________ when
documentation needs clarification prior to the assignment of codes.
Answer: query
Analysis: Coders should always avoid assumption coding, and can do so by generating a physician query
when documentation needs clarification prior to the assignment of codes.
10. Automating the medical coding process is the goal of __________, which uses a natural language
processing engine to “read” electronic health records and generate codes while artificial intelligence
software uses machine learning and algorithms during the analysis of patient data to generate codes.
Answer: computer-assisted coding (CAC)
Analysis: Automating the medical coding process is the goal of computer-assisted coding (CAC), which
uses a natural language processing engine to “read” electronic health records and generate codes while
artificial intelligence software uses machine learning and algorithms during the analysis of patient data to
generate codes.
EXERCISE 1.4: OTHER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS AND DATABASES
1. The classification of neoplasms used by cancer registries throughout the world to record the incidence of
malignancy and survival rates is called the __________.
Answer: International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, Third Edition (ICD-O-3)
Analysis: The classification of neoplasms used by cancer registries throughout the world to record the
incidence of malignancy and survival rates is called the ICD-O-3. (The capital letter O in the classification
system’s abbreviation refers to Oncology.)
2. Specific sets of patient characteristics (or case-mix groups) that are used to make payment determinations
for prospective payment systems are represented by __________ rate codes.
Answer: Health Insurance Prospective Payment System (HIPPS)
Analysis: Specific sets of patient characteristics (or case-mix groups) that are used to make payment
determinations for prospective payment systems are represented by Health Insurance Prospective Payment
System (HIPPS) rate codes.
3. The integration and distribution of key terminology, classification and coding standards, and associated
resources to facilitate the use of effective and interoperable biomedical information systems and services
uses the __________.
Answer: Unified Medical Language System (UMLS)
Analysis: The integration and distribution of key terminology, classification and coding standards, and
associated resources to facilitate the use of effective and interoperable biomedical information systems and
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 4
accessible website, in whole or in part.
