Ophthalmic Coding Specialist Practice Test

What are Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) codes designed to indicate?

1. Codes are always paid separately in the same session

2. Codes not separately payable when performed in the same session

3. All codes must be reviewed individually for payment

4. Assistants at surgery are not covered in CCI guidelines

The correct answer is: Codes not separately payable when performed in the same session

Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) codes are specifically designed to identify codes that are not separately payable when performed together in the same session. These codes help ensure that claims submitted for payment are aligned with established guidelines and prevent improper payments resulting from billing practices that do not meet Medicare's standards. By establishing bundled payments, CCI codes indicate that certain procedures are considered part of a larger service, and separately billing them could lead to overpayment or duplicate payments for the same service. This streamlined approach encourages efficiency in billing and ensures that healthcare providers implement coding practices that adhere to regulatory requirements. In contrast, the other choices either misconstrue the function of CCI codes or address unrelated billing aspects. For instance, while codes can be reviewed individually for payment, the key focus of CCI codes is on identifying bundled procedures rather than individual review. Likewise, certain procedures involving assistants at surgery may have their own set of billing considerations, but they do not directly pertain to the purpose of CCI itself. CCI guidelines focus on payment bundling rather than the specific coverage of assistants in surgery.