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Medical Coder — the credentialing body practice for the Medical Coder credential

Last reviewed 2026-10-26 · CoStudy · how we write and review questions

Medical Coder is the Medical Coder credential. the credentialing body writes the outline; a fail is another sitting fee and a delayed start, not a school-curve disappointment. Related CoStudy banks (cna, cma_aama, emt_basic, phlebotomy) test different sittings — using one as a stand-in for Medical Coder is how people fail the appointment they paid for.

CoStudy’s Medical Coder (CPC/AAPC) bank holds 173 multiple-choice questions and 60 flashcards. Chapters in this bank follow that outline: Medical Terminology and Anatomy; ICD-10-CM Coding Guidelines and Concepts; CPT Coding — Evaluation & Management; CPT Coding — Surgery, Radiology, Pathology, Medicine; HCPCS Level II Coding; Coding Guidelines, Compliance, and Reimbursement. The published material this bank is written against begins: AAPC CPC — 17 sections covering CPT (anesthesia, surgery by body system, radiology, pathology, medicine, E/M), HCPCS Level II, ICD-10-CM, compliance + regulatory, medical terminology/anatomy Every multiple-choice item on this page shows the full rationale in the HTML. CoStudy is not the credentialing body. We do not have live items, and we do not guarantee a result.

  • 233 total items
  • 173 multiple choice
  • 60 flashcards
  • 6 chapters

Study Medical Coder (CPC/AAPC) in CoStudy →

Exam facts

Copied from the cited official page on the date shown. Rows marked unverified were not confirmed on that pass — check the certifying body before you pay or schedule. CoStudy is not the exam owner.

FactDetailSource
What it isMedical Coder (CPC/AAPC) is administered under the credentialing body. CoStudy is independent practice, not the exam owner. (unverified)the credentialing body public outline · as of 2026-10
Published outlineAAPC CPC — 17 sections covering CPT (anesthesia, surgery by body system, radiology, pathology, medicine, E/M), HCPCS Level II, ICD-10-CM, compliance + regulatory, medical terminology/anatomy (unverified)the credentialing body public outline · as of 2026-10
Passing score / pass rateOnly the certifying body publishes a cut score or pass rate. This page does not invent one. (unverified)the credentialing body public outline · as of 2026-10
Fees and eligibilityApplication, sitting, and retake rules live on the credentialing body’s site and can change. Confirm there before you pay. (unverified)the credentialing body public outline · as of 2026-10

Exam format, sections and weights

Medical Coder bank mix (this question bank)

Chapter counts below are CoStudy’s mix so you can see where practice time goes. They are not a claim that the live exam uses these item counts.

ChapterItems in this bank
Medical Terminology and Anatomy7 (4%)
ICD-10-CM Coding Guidelines and Concepts19 (11%)
CPT Coding — Evaluation & Management19 (11%)
CPT Coding — Surgery, Radiology, Pathology, Medicine97 (56%)
HCPCS Level II Coding10 (6%)
Coding Guidelines, Compliance, and Reimbursement21 (12%)

How this bank is different

  • Medical Coder is an allied-health credential with a published content outline, not extra NCLEX practice.
  • Scope of practice is the usual trap. Do not answer as a nurse if this exam is not the RN exam.
  • State or employer extras (background checks, clinical hours) are not in this bank. Check the body that licenses you.

Exam format and blueprint

AAPC CPC — 17 sections covering CPT (anesthesia, surgery by body system, radiology, pathology, medicine, E/M), HCPCS Level II, ICD-10-CM, compliance + regulatory, medical terminology/anatomy

What the Medical Coder bank covers

Each chapter follows a domain of the published exam outline. Practise one on its own (chapter URLs are in the app and on this page for navigation; they are not sitemap targets):

Study timeline

Rotate the 6 chapters so a weak domain cannot hide in a blended score. A blended percentage hides the chapter that will fail you.

Six-week Medical Coder block — 10–14 hours/week

Weeks 1–4: walk the chapters in outline order, with a mixed set twice a week. Week 5: only the two weakest chapters. Week 6: two timed sittings in the shape the certifying body describes, then stop adding new outline. Medical Coder (CPC/AAPC) samples on this page are for judging rationale quality, not for a full mock.

Twelve-week working-hours plan — 6–8 hours/week

Two or three evenings and one weekend block. Keep a written error log keyed to chapters, not to “I was tired.” The last fourteen days are timing and weak-chapter repair only. If you are also sitting a related exam (cna), do not merge the decks.

Free Medical Coder (CPC/AAPC) practice questions

A sample of 12 multiple-choice questions from the bank, with the full rationale shown.

Medical Terminology and Anatomy

The lateral malleolus is part of the:

  1. Fibula
  2. Tibia
  3. Femur
  4. Patella

Answer: A — Fibula

Lateral malleolus = distal end of fibula. Medial malleolus = distal tibia. Knowing landmarks important for fracture coding (laterality).

The suffix '-pexy' means:

  1. Surgical fixation
  2. Surgical removal
  3. Surgical repair
  4. Surgical incision

Answer: A — Surgical fixation

-pexy = surgical fixation (orchiopexy = testis fixation). -ectomy = removal. -plasty = repair. -tomy = incision.

ICD-10-CM Coding Guidelines and Concepts

For an outpatient visit, when documentation says 'rule out pneumonia,' the coder should:

  1. Code pneumonia
  2. Code the signs/symptoms (e.g., cough, fever)
  3. Code 'rule out' as definitive
  4. Do not code anything

Answer: B — Code the signs/symptoms (e.g., cough, fever)

Outpatient rule: do NOT code uncertain diagnoses ('probable,' 'rule out,' 'suspected'). Code the signs/symptoms. Inpatient differs.

ICD-10-CM is used for:

  1. Procedures
  2. Diagnoses
  3. Supplies
  4. Drugs

Answer: B — Diagnoses

A) CPT. B) Correct. C/D) HCPCS Level II.

CPT Coding — Evaluation & Management

Initial hospital inpatient care, high-level MDM, is reported with:

  1. 99221
  2. 99222
  3. 99223
  4. 99234

Answer: C — 99223

99221 low, 99222 moderate, 99223 high. 99234 is observation/inpatient same-day admission and discharge.

Modifier -25 is used for:

  1. Bilateral
  2. Repeat
  3. Telehealth
  4. Significant, separately identifiable E/M on same day as procedure

Answer: D — Significant, separately identifiable E/M on same day as procedure

A) -50. D) Correct. C) -95. B) -76.

CPT Coding — Surgery, Radiology, Pathology, Medicine

Repair of a retinal detachment using scleral buckling is reported with:

  1. 67101
  2. 67108
  3. 67113
  4. 67141

Answer: B — 67108

A) 67101 is repair of retinal detachment with pneumatic retinopexy, a different technique. B) Correct — 67108 is repair of retinal detachment with scleral buckling, with or without vitrectomy. C) 67113 is repair of complex retinal detachment. D) 67141 is prophylactic treatment of retinal detachment (e.g., cryotherapy/laser without existing detachment).

CBC with automated differential WBC count:

  1. 85055
  2. 85027
  3. 85049
  4. 85025

Answer: D — 85025

85025 = CBC, automated and automated differential WBC. 85027 = CBC complete, automated (no differential). 85049 = platelet count.

HCPCS Level II Coding

Injection, ondansetron HCl, per 1 mg (HCPCS):

  1. J2405
  2. J2469
  3. J3490
  4. J7050

Answer: A — J2405

J2405 = ondansetron HCl injection per 1 mg. Each unit = 1 mg. J2469 = palonosetron. J3490 = unclassified drugs.

HCPCS Level II is mostly used for:

  1. Diagnoses
  2. Hospital admissions
  3. Outpatient E/M
  4. Supplies, drugs, services not in CPT

Answer: D — Supplies, drugs, services not in CPT

A) ICD. D) Correct — DME, injectables, ambulance. C) CPT. B) Wrong.

Coding Guidelines, Compliance, and Reimbursement

Stark Law applies to:

  1. Self-referral of designated health services to entities with financial relationship — federally-funded
  2. All physician referrals
  3. Only psychiatric services
  4. Only ambulance referrals

Answer: A — Self-referral of designated health services to entities with financial relationship — federally-funded

Stark Law = physician self-referral prohibition for designated health services (DHS) when the physician/family has a financial relationship. Federal program-specific (Medicare/Medicaid).

NCCI edits prevent:

  1. Late claims
  2. Improper code pairs (PTP) + impossibly high quantities (MUE)
  3. Patient errors
  4. Anything else

Answer: B — Improper code pairs (PTP) + impossibly high quantities (MUE)

A/C/D) Wrong. B) Correct.

Medical Coder (CPC/AAPC) flashcards

6 sample cards from the 60 in the bank.

CPT?

Current Procedural Terminology. Maintained by AMA. 5-digit codes for medical procedures + services. Updated annually (effective Jan 1).

Modifier -24, -25, -57?

-24: Unrelated E/M during global period. -25: Significant E/M same day as minor procedure. -57: Decision for major surgery (day of or day before).

HCPCS Level II categories?

A = transportation, supplies. B = enteral/parenteral. C = outpatient PPS. D = dental. E = DME. G = procedures. J = drugs (chemo + admin). K = wheelchairs. L = orthotics + prosthetics. Q = miscellaneous.

Anatomic position?

Standing erect, facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward. Reference position for medial/lateral/proximal/distal descriptions.

LCD vs. NCD?

NCD (National Coverage Determination) = CMS national policy on whether/how a service is covered. LCD (Local Coverage Determination) = coverage policy set by the local Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) when no NCD exists. Both establish medical-necessity criteria coders should check before billing.

Modifier -25 abuse?

OIG focus. -25 requires significant + separately identifiable E/M, not just paperwork. Routine -25 use is audit target.

Practise the full Medical Coder (CPC/AAPC) bank

These samples are a small slice. The full bank runs flashcards, multiple choice and timed mock exams with per-chapter progress tracking, on the web and in the iOS app.

Open Medical Coder (CPC/AAPC) →

Frequently asked

What is the Medical Coder exam?

AAPC CPC — 17 sections covering CPT (anesthesia, surgery by body system, radiology, pathology, medicine, E/M), HCPCS Level II, ICD-10-CM, compliance + regulatory, medical terminology/anatomy

How is CoStudy’s Medical Coder bank organised?

It holds 233 items across 6 chapters: Medical Terminology and Anatomy; ICD-10-CM Coding Guidelines and Concepts; CPT Coding — Evaluation & Management; CPT Coding — Surgery, Radiology, Pathology, Medicine; HCPCS Level II Coding; Coding Guidelines, Compliance, and Reimbursement. Free samples on this page include the full rationale, with no account. Chapter counts in the bank are our mix; they are not a promise that the live exam uses the same item counts.

Should I study Medical Coder and cna as one pile?

No. Medical Coder is its own sitting. Related banks on CoStudy (cna, cma_aama, emt_basic, phlebotomy, pharmacy_tech_cpht) exist because candidates confuse neighbouring credentials. Use the outline for the exam on your voucher.

Where do Medical Coder fees, cut scores, and pass rates live?

On the credentialing body’s site. CoStudy will not invent a sitting fee or a pass rate. If a table on this page lacks a citation, treat it as unverified.

Are these real Medical Coder exam questions?

No. CoStudy does not have live items. The samples below are original practice written to the published outline, with rationales. Anyone selling “real exam dumps” is describing something you should not buy.

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