CASCC study guide
CASCC · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Certified Ambulatory Surgery Center Coder (CASCC) credential is a professional certification for coders who work in or support ambulatory surgery center (ASC) settings. It signals that a coder can take operative and ancillary documentation from a same-day surgical encounter and translate it into accurate CPT, HCPCS Level II, and ICD-10-CM codes that survive payer scrutiny. The CASCC study guide has 8 sections and about 2,035 words.
01Coding Guidelines and Regulatory Compliance
Coding accuracy begins with the hierarchy of authority: statute (Social Security Act), regulation (CMS rules in 42 CFR), then national and local coverage determinations, then coding manuals and clinic policy. When a question asks what governs payment, the answer is usually the coverage determination, not the CPT descriptor alone.
317 words, about 2 min02Surgical Coding: Integumentary, Musculoskeletal, and Related Systems
Know the difference between simple, intermediate, and complex repairs (layer closure, depth, and whether layered closure is required). Know lesion excision by type (benign vs.
277 words, about 1 min03Anesthesia and Pain Management Coding
Anesthesia codes are selected by anatomical site and procedure , not by the surgical CPT code alone. Know the anesthesia formula : base units + time units + modifying units.
259 words, about 1 min04Radiology and Diagnostic Services Coding
Radiology coding separates professional from technical components. Know when a global service applies vs.
235 words, about 1 min05Pathology and Laboratory Coding
Distinguish clinical laboratory tests from surgical pathology . Clinical lab codes are often organized by method (e.g., immunoassay, chromatography) and by analyte .
244 words, about 1 min06Medicine and Ancillary Services Coding
The Medicine section covers evaluation and management-adjacent services, immunizations , infusions/injections , psychotherapy , cardiovascular monitoring , and physical medicine . Know the rules for infusion hierarchy (initial vs.
231 words, about 1 min07Modifiers and Coding Accuracy
Modifiers communicate circumstances that change payment or explain unusual services. They are not a substitute for documentation.
243 words, about 1 min08Ambulatory Surgery Center Billing and Claims
ASCs bill under the ASC payment system , which uses payment indicators and groupers . Know the difference between facility and professional billing, and how device-intensive procedures and pass-through items are handled.
229 words, about 1 min