AAPC CPC Exam 2026: Complete 100-
Question Practice Test with Answers
& Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: Evaluation and Management (E/M) — Questions 1-20
Q1. A 45-year-old established patient presents for management of Type 2
diabetes with poorly controlled blood sugar. The physician performs a
comprehensive history, comprehensive exam, and high-complexity medical
decision making. What is the correct E/M code?
A) 99204
B) 99214
C) 99215
D) 99205
Answer: C) 99215
Explanation: For an established patient (not new), the code selection is
based on the level of Medical Decision Making (MDM) or time.
Comprehensive history + comprehensive exam + high-complexity MDM for
an established patient maps to 99215 (Level 5 established visit). 99204 and
99205 are for new patients.
,Q2. A new patient presents to the office for an initial comprehensive
evaluation. The physician performs a comprehensive history,
comprehensive exam, and moderate-complexity medical decision making.
What is the correct code?
A) 99203
B) 99204
C) 99214
D) 99215
Answer: B) 99204
Explanation: For a new patient, comprehensive history + comprehensive
exam + moderate MDM corresponds to 99204 (Level 4 new patient). 99203
would be low MDM, and 99205 would be high MDM.
Q3. An established patient presents with a sore throat. The physician
performs a problem-focused history, problem-focused exam, and
straightforward medical decision making. What is the correct E/M code?
A) 99211
B) 99212
C) 99213
D) 99214
Answer: B) 99212
Explanation: Established patient with problem-focused history, problem-
focused exam, and straightforward MDM = 99212 (Level 2 established visit).
99211 requires no physician presence (typically nurse visit).
,Q4. A physician performs a preventive medicine service for a 10-year-old
established patient. What is the correct code?
A) 99381
B) 99382
C) 99391
D) 99392
Answer: C) 99391
Explanation: 99391 is the code for a preventive medicine visit for
an established patient age 5-11. 99381 is for a new patient age 5-11.
Q5. A 68-year-old established patient with multiple chronic conditions
(diabetes, hypertension, and osteoarthritis) presents for a comprehensive
visit. The physician spends 55 minutes total, with 45 minutes of face-to-face
time. What code should be used?
A) 99214
B) 99215
C) 99205
D) 99204
Answer: B) 99215
Explanation: For established patients, time can be used to select the level
when counseling/coordination of care dominates. 55 minutes total time for
an established patient maps to 99215 (Level 5), which requires 40-54
minutes of total time.
, Q6. A new patient is seen in the emergency department for chest pain. The
physician performs a detailed history, detailed exam, and moderate MDM.
What is the correct ED code?
A) 99281
B) 99282
C) 99283
D) 99284
Answer: D) 99284
Explanation: ED codes (99281-99285) are based on MDM. Moderate MDM
maps to 99284 (Level 4 ED visit).
Q7. An established patient presents for a follow-up visit after knee surgery.
The physician performs an expanded problem-focused history, expanded
problem-focused exam, and low-complexity MDM. What is the correct
code?
A) 99212
B) 99213
C) 99214
D) 99211
Answer: B) 99213
Explanation: Established patient with expanded problem-focused
history/exam and low MDM = 99213 (Level 3 established visit).
Question Practice Test with Answers
& Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: Evaluation and Management (E/M) — Questions 1-20
Q1. A 45-year-old established patient presents for management of Type 2
diabetes with poorly controlled blood sugar. The physician performs a
comprehensive history, comprehensive exam, and high-complexity medical
decision making. What is the correct E/M code?
A) 99204
B) 99214
C) 99215
D) 99205
Answer: C) 99215
Explanation: For an established patient (not new), the code selection is
based on the level of Medical Decision Making (MDM) or time.
Comprehensive history + comprehensive exam + high-complexity MDM for
an established patient maps to 99215 (Level 5 established visit). 99204 and
99205 are for new patients.
,Q2. A new patient presents to the office for an initial comprehensive
evaluation. The physician performs a comprehensive history,
comprehensive exam, and moderate-complexity medical decision making.
What is the correct code?
A) 99203
B) 99204
C) 99214
D) 99215
Answer: B) 99204
Explanation: For a new patient, comprehensive history + comprehensive
exam + moderate MDM corresponds to 99204 (Level 4 new patient). 99203
would be low MDM, and 99205 would be high MDM.
Q3. An established patient presents with a sore throat. The physician
performs a problem-focused history, problem-focused exam, and
straightforward medical decision making. What is the correct E/M code?
A) 99211
B) 99212
C) 99213
D) 99214
Answer: B) 99212
Explanation: Established patient with problem-focused history, problem-
focused exam, and straightforward MDM = 99212 (Level 2 established visit).
99211 requires no physician presence (typically nurse visit).
,Q4. A physician performs a preventive medicine service for a 10-year-old
established patient. What is the correct code?
A) 99381
B) 99382
C) 99391
D) 99392
Answer: C) 99391
Explanation: 99391 is the code for a preventive medicine visit for
an established patient age 5-11. 99381 is for a new patient age 5-11.
Q5. A 68-year-old established patient with multiple chronic conditions
(diabetes, hypertension, and osteoarthritis) presents for a comprehensive
visit. The physician spends 55 minutes total, with 45 minutes of face-to-face
time. What code should be used?
A) 99214
B) 99215
C) 99205
D) 99204
Answer: B) 99215
Explanation: For established patients, time can be used to select the level
when counseling/coordination of care dominates. 55 minutes total time for
an established patient maps to 99215 (Level 5), which requires 40-54
minutes of total time.
, Q6. A new patient is seen in the emergency department for chest pain. The
physician performs a detailed history, detailed exam, and moderate MDM.
What is the correct ED code?
A) 99281
B) 99282
C) 99283
D) 99284
Answer: D) 99284
Explanation: ED codes (99281-99285) are based on MDM. Moderate MDM
maps to 99284 (Level 4 ED visit).
Q7. An established patient presents for a follow-up visit after knee surgery.
The physician performs an expanded problem-focused history, expanded
problem-focused exam, and low-complexity MDM. What is the correct
code?
A) 99212
B) 99213
C) 99214
D) 99211
Answer: B) 99213
Explanation: Established patient with expanded problem-focused
history/exam and low MDM = 99213 (Level 3 established visit).
