ACA CCS case studies
ACA CCS · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The ACA Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) is a professional credential for people who assign diagnosis and procedure codes from patient records and want their competence recognized by an independent certification body. It suits working coders, coding students finishing a formal program, and health information staff moving from clerical or billing roles into coding. The ACA CCS case studies are 5 cases and about 3,024 words.
1Physician Query for Sepsis vs. SIRS
A 72-year-old male is admitted with fever (102.3°F), tachycardia (118 bpm), tachypnea (24 breaths/min), and leukocytosis (15,000/mm³). Blood cultures are drawn, and the patient is started on IV antibiotics within 3 hours.
361 words, about 2 min2PCS Coding for Excisional Debridement with Skin Graft
A patient with a diabetic foot ulcer undergoes excisional debridement of necrotic tissue from the right foot (subcutaneous tissue and muscle, 20 sq cm) and application of a split-thickness skin graft (from right thigh, 50 sq cm) to the same site during the same operative session. The documentation states: 'Excisional debridement of right foot ulcer, subcutaneous tissue and muscle, 20 sq cm.
694 words, about 3 min3E/M Level Selection for Complex Visit
A 58-year-old established patient presents with worsening shortness of breath and chest tightness. The physician performs a detailed history (chief complaint, extended HPI, 10-system ROS, and 2 past medical/family/social history items), a detailed examination (12 systems), and medical decision making of moderate complexity (prescribes a new antiarrhythmic, orders an ECG and chest X-ray, and discusses risks/benefits).
660 words, about 3 min4Coding for Angiography with Stent Placement
A patient undergoes a diagnostic coronary angiography via right radial artery approach. During the same session, the physician performs percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with stent placement in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery.
897 words, about 4 min5Data Quality and Query for Present on Admission
A patient is admitted with pneumonia. On admission, the patient has a stage 2 pressure ulcer on the sacrum.
412 words, about 2 min