CCS Virtual Exam Prep Chat
Objectives
• Recap the 8 CCS domains
• Discuss test-taking tips
• Review sample CCS examination questions
• Answer attendee questions regarding the CCS
examination
2
CCS Exam
• 97 multiple-choice
questions
– 79 scored
– 18 pretest/not scored
• 8 medical scenarios
– 6 scored
– 2 pretest/not scored
• 4 hours, no breaks
• Scaled score
• AHIMA CCS Certification
webpage:
http://www.ahima.org/certification/CCS
CCS Domains
1. Health Information Documentation (8-10%)
2. Diagnosis & Procedure Coding (64-68%)
3. Regulatory Guidelines & Reporting
Requirements for Acute Care (Inpatient)
Services(6-8%)
4. Regulatory Guidelines & Reporting
Requirements for Outpatient Services (6-8%)
CCS Domains
5. Data Quality Management (2-4%)
6. Information & Communication Technologies
(1-3%)
7. Privacy, Confidentiality, Legal, and Ethical
Issues (2-4%)
8. Compliance (2-4%)
Test Basics Review the Candidate Guide at:
http://www.ahima.org/certification/CCS
• Extensions
– First request for extension--$75.00
– Second and final--$150.00
• ID Requirements
– Must present a primary and secondary form of ID
• Examples: drivers license and credit card (must be
signed on the back)
• No coats, scarves, Kleenex, notes, pencil, etc.
allowed in the testing area
What to Study?
• CCS Exam Prep Presentations
• Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) Exam
Preparation by Jennifer Garvin
• ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and
Reporting
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/ICD1
0/Downloads/icd10cm-guidelines-2015.pdf
What to Study?
• ICD-10-PCS Official Guidelines for Coding and
Reporting
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/ICD1
0/Downloads/2015-PCS-guidelines.pdf
• ICD-10-PCS Reference Manual (zip file)
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/ICD1
0/2015-ICD-10-PCS-and-GEMs.html
Other Study Tools
• CCS Practice Exam
– https://www.ahimastore.org/ProductDetailCertific
ations.aspx?ProductID=18617
– $49.99 (member price)
– 35 multiple choice questions
– 3 medical scenarios
Test Prep Timeline
1. Schedule test date
2. Develop test prep timeline BACKWARDS from
test date, include:
• Coding Guidelines for CM & PCS
• Review CCS Exam Prep presentations
3. Consider taking the CCS Practice Exam 1-2
weeks prior to the exam to mimic the testing
environment
4. Focus on weakest areas
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
Question 1
• Authentication of health record entries means
to:
A. Create facsimiles of documents
B. Prove authorship of documents
C. Develop documents
D. Use a rubber stamp on random sets of
documents.
Question 2
• Medicare reimbursement depends on all of
the following, except:
A. The correct designation of the principal
diagnosis
B. Policies and procedures of the medical staff
C. The presence or absence of additional codes
that represent complications, comorbidities, or
major complications/cormobidities
D. Procedures performed
Question 3
• Diagnostic-related groups (DRGs) and
ambulatory patient classifications (APCs) are
similar in that they are both:
A. Determined by HCPCS codes
B. Focused on hospital outpatients
C. Focused on hospital inpatients
D. Prospective payment systems
Question 4
• The most common language used for both
data definition language and data
manipulation language is:
A. Unified modeling language
B. JAVA
C. Perl
D. Structured query language
Question 5
• The CPT definition of a surgical package
contains which of the following?
A. The surgical procedure(s)
B. Follow-up surgery
C. Preoperative tests
D. Yearly follow-up visits
Question 6
• A bronchoscopy with biopsy of the left
bronchus was completed and revealed
adenocarcinoma. What, if any, modifier
should be added to the procedure codes?
A. -50, bilateral procedure
B. -51, multiple procedures
C. -LT, left side
D. No modifier should be reported
OPEN DISCUSSION TIME
Additional Resources
• List of acronyms
• Flashcards of acronyms
– https://quizlet.com/_23ktqa
• Practice Quiz
Contact Information
• Maria Ward, MEd, RHIT, CCS-P
– Email me at Maria.Ward@AHIMA.org
