Maryland Certified Coding Associate
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
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1. In the ICD-10-CM coding system, what is the primary purpose of the
Tabular List?
A. To provide alphabetical access to diagnostic terms
B. To organize codes numerically with coding instructions and
conventions
C. To list procedural terminology for outpatient services
D. To identify payer reimbursement rates
B. To organize codes numerically with coding instructions and
conventions
Rationale: The Tabular List organizes ICD-10-CM codes by chapter and
numerical order while including instructional notes, inclusion terms,
exclusions, and coding conventions necessary for accurate diagnosis
coding.
2. Which of the following best describes the role of a Certified Coding
Associate (CCA)?
A. Performing surgical procedures independently
, B. Assigning standardized codes for diagnoses and procedures in
healthcare documentation
C. Dispensing medications to patients
D. Conducting laboratory tests without supervision
B. Assigning standardized codes for diagnoses and procedures in
healthcare documentation
Rationale: CCAs review clinical documentation and assign standardized
codes used for billing, reporting, reimbursement, and healthcare data
analysis.
3. Which coding manual is primarily used for reporting inpatient hospital
procedures?
A. CPT
B. HCPCS Level II
C. ICD-10-PCS
D. DSM-5
C. ICD-10-PCS
Rationale: ICD-10-PCS is specifically designed for coding inpatient hospital
procedures, whereas CPT is mainly used for outpatient and physician
services.
4. What does the abbreviation HIPAA stand for?
A. Health Insurance Privacy and Patient Accountability Act
B. Health Information Portability and Accountability Act
C. Hospital Insurance Patient Protection and Accountability Act
D. Healthcare Insurance Privacy Portability Act
B. Health Information Portability and Accountability Act
Rationale: HIPAA establishes national standards for protecting patient
health information and improving healthcare administrative processes.
, 5. Which organization maintains the CPT coding system?
A. CMS
B. WHO
C. AMA
D. AHIMA
C. AMA
Rationale: The American Medical Association (AMA) develops and
maintains Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes used for reporting
medical procedures and services.
6. What is the correct sequencing rule when coding a patient admitted
with pneumonia caused by influenza?
A. Code pneumonia first
B. Code influenza first followed by pneumonia
C. Use only one code
D. Sequence based on alphabetical order
B. Code influenza first followed by pneumonia
Rationale: ICD-10-CM guidelines instruct coders to sequence the underlying
condition, influenza, before the manifestation, pneumonia.
7. Which section of the medical record typically contains the physician’s
interpretation and plan for treatment?
A. History of Present Illness
B. Assessment and Plan
C. Review of Systems
D. Chief Complaint
B. Assessment and Plan
Rationale: The Assessment and Plan section includes the provider’s clinical
impressions, diagnoses, and intended treatment strategy.
, 8. What is the purpose of modifiers in CPT coding?
A. To replace diagnosis codes
B. To provide additional information about a procedure or service
C. To indicate insurance eligibility
D. To identify hospital ownership
B. To provide additional information about a procedure or service
Rationale: CPT modifiers clarify circumstances surrounding a procedure or
service without changing the basic definition of the code.
9. Which of the following is considered protected health information
(PHI)?
A. A patient’s room number only
B. A patient’s diagnosis linked with identifying information
C. A physician’s office address
D. A medical textbook reference
B. A patient’s diagnosis linked with identifying information
Rationale: PHI includes individually identifiable health information such as
diagnoses, treatments, and demographic data connected to a patient.
10. In ICD-10-CM, what does the term “Excludes1” indicate?
A. The conditions can be coded together
B. The excluded condition is part of the coded condition
C. The two conditions cannot be reported together
D. The condition is optional for reporting
C. The two conditions cannot be reported together
Rationale: An Excludes1 note means the listed conditions are mutually
exclusive and should not be coded together under normal circumstances.
11. Which coding system is used primarily for supplies, durable
medical equipment, and certain drugs?
A. ICD-10-PCS
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
1. In the ICD-10-CM coding system, what is the primary purpose of the
Tabular List?
A. To provide alphabetical access to diagnostic terms
B. To organize codes numerically with coding instructions and
conventions
C. To list procedural terminology for outpatient services
D. To identify payer reimbursement rates
B. To organize codes numerically with coding instructions and
conventions
Rationale: The Tabular List organizes ICD-10-CM codes by chapter and
numerical order while including instructional notes, inclusion terms,
exclusions, and coding conventions necessary for accurate diagnosis
coding.
2. Which of the following best describes the role of a Certified Coding
Associate (CCA)?
A. Performing surgical procedures independently
, B. Assigning standardized codes for diagnoses and procedures in
healthcare documentation
C. Dispensing medications to patients
D. Conducting laboratory tests without supervision
B. Assigning standardized codes for diagnoses and procedures in
healthcare documentation
Rationale: CCAs review clinical documentation and assign standardized
codes used for billing, reporting, reimbursement, and healthcare data
analysis.
3. Which coding manual is primarily used for reporting inpatient hospital
procedures?
A. CPT
B. HCPCS Level II
C. ICD-10-PCS
D. DSM-5
C. ICD-10-PCS
Rationale: ICD-10-PCS is specifically designed for coding inpatient hospital
procedures, whereas CPT is mainly used for outpatient and physician
services.
4. What does the abbreviation HIPAA stand for?
A. Health Insurance Privacy and Patient Accountability Act
B. Health Information Portability and Accountability Act
C. Hospital Insurance Patient Protection and Accountability Act
D. Healthcare Insurance Privacy Portability Act
B. Health Information Portability and Accountability Act
Rationale: HIPAA establishes national standards for protecting patient
health information and improving healthcare administrative processes.
, 5. Which organization maintains the CPT coding system?
A. CMS
B. WHO
C. AMA
D. AHIMA
C. AMA
Rationale: The American Medical Association (AMA) develops and
maintains Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes used for reporting
medical procedures and services.
6. What is the correct sequencing rule when coding a patient admitted
with pneumonia caused by influenza?
A. Code pneumonia first
B. Code influenza first followed by pneumonia
C. Use only one code
D. Sequence based on alphabetical order
B. Code influenza first followed by pneumonia
Rationale: ICD-10-CM guidelines instruct coders to sequence the underlying
condition, influenza, before the manifestation, pneumonia.
7. Which section of the medical record typically contains the physician’s
interpretation and plan for treatment?
A. History of Present Illness
B. Assessment and Plan
C. Review of Systems
D. Chief Complaint
B. Assessment and Plan
Rationale: The Assessment and Plan section includes the provider’s clinical
impressions, diagnoses, and intended treatment strategy.
, 8. What is the purpose of modifiers in CPT coding?
A. To replace diagnosis codes
B. To provide additional information about a procedure or service
C. To indicate insurance eligibility
D. To identify hospital ownership
B. To provide additional information about a procedure or service
Rationale: CPT modifiers clarify circumstances surrounding a procedure or
service without changing the basic definition of the code.
9. Which of the following is considered protected health information
(PHI)?
A. A patient’s room number only
B. A patient’s diagnosis linked with identifying information
C. A physician’s office address
D. A medical textbook reference
B. A patient’s diagnosis linked with identifying information
Rationale: PHI includes individually identifiable health information such as
diagnoses, treatments, and demographic data connected to a patient.
10. In ICD-10-CM, what does the term “Excludes1” indicate?
A. The conditions can be coded together
B. The excluded condition is part of the coded condition
C. The two conditions cannot be reported together
D. The condition is optional for reporting
C. The two conditions cannot be reported together
Rationale: An Excludes1 note means the listed conditions are mutually
exclusive and should not be coded together under normal circumstances.
11. Which coding system is used primarily for supplies, durable
medical equipment, and certain drugs?
A. ICD-10-PCS
