Medical Coding CCS Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (11–20)

Question 1

A coder is assigning a code for excision of a benign lesion on the back measuring 1.8 cm, with margins, the total excised diameter is 2.5 cm. Which measurement is used to select the CPT code?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

2.5 cm (lesion plus margins). For excision of benign or malignant lesions, the code is selected based on the greatest single measured diameter of the lesion plus the narrowest margins required, i.e., the total excised diameter including margins.

Question 2

Simple wound repairs in CPT are classified by which primary factor?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Length in centimeters and body site. Wound repair codes are assigned based on the length of the repair (measured in centimeters) and the anatomical location (body site), with complexity (simple, intermediate, complex) also factored in.

Question 3

When multiple simple repairs are performed on the same body site classification on the same day, how should they be coded?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Add the lengths together and code a single code for the combined length. Per CPT guidelines, when multiple simple repairs are performed on wounds in the same body site classification and same complexity, the lengths are added together and reported as a single code for the total combined length.

Question 4

A patient has two wounds repaired: a 3 cm simple repair on the scalp and a 2 cm simple repair on the face. How should these be coded?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Two separate codes, one for the scalp repair and one for the face repair. Scalp and face are different body site classifications in CPT wound repair coding. Only wounds in the same body site classification and same complexity are added together; wounds in different classifications are coded separately.

Question 5

In CPT, radiology services can be billed using which billing components?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Technical component, professional component, or global service. Radiology services may be billed as a global service (both professional and technical), the professional component only (modifier -26), or the technical component only (modifier -TC).

Question 6

Modifier -26 appended to a radiology code indicates:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Professional component only. Modifier -26 identifies the professional component of a radiology service — the physician's work of interpreting and reporting the study. The technical component covers equipment, staff, and supplies.

Question 7

A radiologist interprets an MRI of the brain with and without contrast. Which CPT code family would be used?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

70553. CPT 70553 is the code for MRI of the brain with and without contrast. 70551 is without contrast, 70552 is with contrast only, and 70553 captures the complete with-and-without contrast study.

Question 8

CPT codes for pathology and laboratory services are found in which section of the CPT codebook?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

80000–89999. Pathology and Laboratory CPT codes are in the 80000–89999 range. Radiology is 70000–79999, and Medicine services are 90000–99999.

Question 9

A complete blood count (CBC) with automated differential is reported with which CPT code?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

85025. CPT 85025 describes a complete blood count (CBC) with automated differential white blood cell count. 85027 is a CBC without differential, 85022 is a manual count, and 85031 is a manual CBC.

Question 10

A physician orders a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) and a lipid panel. Under the organ- or disease-oriented panels rule, which best describes how to code this?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Code CMP (80053) and lipid panel (80061) as ordered. When panels are ordered as such and all components are performed, each panel is coded individually. The CMP is 80053 and the lipid panel is 80061; both may be reported separately because they are distinct panels.

Medical Coding CCS Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (11–20)

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