AHIMA-CCS Exam Information and Guideline
Certified Coding Specialist (ICD-10-CM / ICD-10-PCS / CPT)
Below are complete topics detail with latest syllabus and course outline, that will help you good knowledge about exam objectives and topics that you have to prepare. These contents are covered in questions and answers pool of exam.
Number of Questions on exam:
97 multiple-choice questions (79 scored/18 pretest)
8 medical scenarios (6 scored/2 pretest)
Exam Time: 4 hours – no breaks
Domain 1 – Health Information Documentation (8-10%)
Tasks:
1. Interpret health record documentation using knowledge of anatomy, physiology, clinical indicators and disease processes, pharmacology and medical terminology to identify codeable diagnoses and/or procedures
2. Determine when additional clinical documentation is needed to assign the diagnosis and/or procedure code(s)
3. Consult with physicians and other healthcare providersto obtain further clinical documentation to assist with code assignment
4. Compose a compliant physician query
5. Consult reference materialsto facilitate code assignment
6. Identify patient encounter type
7. Identify and post chargesfor healthcare services based on documentation
Domain 2 – Diagnosis & Procedure Coding (64-68%)
Tasks:
Diagnosis:
1. Select the diagnosesthat require coding according to current coding and reporting requirementsfor acute care (inpatient) services
2. Select the diagnosesthat require coding according to current coding and reporting requirementsfor outpatient services
3. Interpret conventions, formats, instructional notations, tables, and definitions of the classification system to select diagnoses, conditions, problems, or other reasonsfor the encounter that require coding
4. Sequence diagnoses and other reasons for encounter according to notations and conventions of the classification system and standard data set definitions(such as Uniform Hospital Discharge Data Set [UHDDS])
5. Apply the official ICD-10-CM coding guidelines
Procedure:
1. Select the proceduresthat require coding according to current coding and reporting requirementsfor acute care (inpatient) services
2. Select the proceduresthat require coding according to current coding and reporting requirementsfor outpatient services
3. Interpret conventions, formats, instructional notations, and definitions of the classification system and/ornomenclature to select procedures/servicesthat require coding
4. Sequence procedures according to notations and conventions of the classification system/nomenclature and standard data set definitions(such as UHDDS)
5. Apply the official ICD-10-PCS procedure coding guidelines
6. Apply the official CPT/HCPCS Level II coding guidelines
Domain 3 – Regulatory Guidelines and Reporting Requirements for Acute Care (Inpatient) Service (6-8%)
Tasks:
1. Select the principal diagnosis, principal procedure, complications, comorbid conditions, other diagnoses and proceduresthat require coding according to UHDDS definitions and Coding Clinic
2. Assign the present on admission (POA) indicators
3. Evaluate the impact of code selection on Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) assignment
4. Verify DRG assignment based on Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) definitions
5. Assign and/or validate the discharge disposition
DOMAIN 4. Regulatory Guidelines and Reporting Requirements for Outpatient Services (6-8%)
Tasks:
1. Select the reason for encounter, pertinentsecondary conditions, primary procedure, and other proceduresthat require coding according to UHDDS definitions, CPT Assistant, Coding Clinic, and HCPCS
2. Apply Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) reporting requirements:
a. Modifiers
b. CPT/ HCPCS Level II
c. Medical necessity
d. Evaluation and Management code assignment (facility reporting)
3. Apply clinical laboratory service requirements
DOMAIN 5. Data Quality and Management (2-4%)
Tasks:
1. Assess the quality of coded data
2. Communicate with healthcare providersregarding reimbursementmethodologies, documentation rules, and regulationsrelated to coding
3. Analyze health record documentation for quality and completeness of coding
4. Review the accuracy of abstracted data elementsfor database integrity and claims processing
5. Review and resolve coding edits such as Correct Coding Initiative (CCI), Medicare Code
Editor (MCE) and Outpatient Code Editor (OCE)
DOMAIN 6. Information and Communication Technologies (1-3%)
Tasks:
1. Use computer to ensure data collection,storage, analysis, and reporting of information.
2. Use common software applications(for example, word processing,spreadsheets, and email) in the execution of work processes
3. Use specialized software in the completion of HIM processes
DOMAIN 7. Privacy, Confidentiality, Legal, and Ethical Issues (2-4%)
Tasks:
1. Apply policies and proceduresfor access and disclosure of personal health information
2. Apply AHIMA Code of Ethics/Standards of Ethical Coding
3. Recognize and report privacy and/or security concerns
4. Protect data integrity and validity using software or hardware technology
DOMAIN 8. Compliance (2-4%)
Tasks:
1. Evaluate the accuracy and completeness of the patient record as defined by organizational policy and external regulations and standards
2. Monitor compliance with organization-wide health record documentation and coding guidelines
3. Recognize and report compliance concerns