CPC high-yield coding-concept drill

The rule

Index, then Tabular. Code only what the record supports at the stated specificity. This drill never uses AMA-licensed procedure codes.

Next step

If laterality, episode, or the procedure itself is missing, query. Do not guess the side or complete a cancelled service.

Never miss

• Never code from the Alphabetic Index alone.
• Excludes1 is mutually exclusive. Excludes2 allows both when documented.
• Outpatient uncertain diagnoses are not coded as confirmed.
• CMS office E/M is medical decision making or time, not history-and-exam bullets.
• A modifier that means distinct service needs a documented distinct service.
• HCPCS Level II is the CMS public set for supplies, drugs, and DME concepts.

Traps

• Coding a cancelled procedure as completed.
• Picking the side that groups better.
• Reporting family history as the active disease.
• Bypassing every NCCI edit with the same modifier.

Shortcuts

• Highest documented character, then stop.
• Integral signs sit inside the confirmed diagnosis.
• Queries are non-leading.

Terms

• Tabular List. The verification step after the Alphabetic Index.
• Excludes1. The two conditions should not be coded together.
• Excludes2. Both conditions may be coded when both are documented.
• Combination code. One code that captures a stated causal pair.
• MUE. Medically unlikely edit. Units that exceed what CMS considers likely for one date.
• MDM. Medical decision making. One of two ways to level office E/M under current CMS policy.

Memory hooks

• INDEX-THEN-TABULAR. Find it, then verify it The official ICD-10-CM motion.
• -ectomy / -ostomy / -itis / -scopy. Removal / opening / inflammation / looking High-yield suffixes.