AAPC CIC Cheat Sheet

Exam

AAPC CIC

Credential

Inpatient Coder

Time

5h 40m

Pass

70%

Format

Open book

Items

60 MC + 10 cases

Cases

~65% of score

Fee

$399-$499

Section System Root Part Approach Device Qual

Part vs all

1. Cut portion out→Excision(Not all)
2. Remove entire organ→Resection(All out)
3. Fix without cutting→Repair(No excision)
4. Substitute body part→Replacement(Prosthetic)
5. Reroute passage→Bypass(Alter path)
6. Place implant→Insertion(Device char)
7. Take out device→Removal(No procedure)
8. Join bones→Fusion(Spine common)

NEC

Not elsewhere classified

NOS

Not otherwise specified

Excludes1

Never code together

Excludes2

Not included here

Code first

Underlying cause first

Use additional

Add second code

7th char

Encounter type A/D/S

Y=Yes N=No U=Unknown W=Undetermined E=Exempt

Why admitted vs also

1. Symptom then definitive→Definitive DX(Drop symptom)
2. Admission for chemo→Z51.11(Principal)
3. Two equal reasons→Either first(Clinical call)
4. Complication of care→Complication code(If reason)
5. Observation stay→Condition studied(Not symptom)
6. Planned procedure→Condition treated(Not procedure)
7. Sepsis on admission→Sepsis code(If confirmed)
8. Transfer in→Reason at sending(Same principal)

Principal DX

Reason for admission

UHDDS

Uniform discharge standard

After study

Post workup diagnosis

Symptom rule

Definitive replaces symptom

Z51 principal

Chemo/radiation admission

Equal DX

Either may sequence first

Admit rule

Condition occasioning stay

Admission vs acquired

Section

Char 1 procedure type

Body system

Char 2 anatomy group

Root operation

Char 3 objective

Body part

Char 4 site

Approach

Char 5 access route

Device

Char 6 implant

Qualifier

Char 7 detail

Valid code

All 7 chars required

Diagnosis vs procedure

Excision

Cut out portion

Resection

Cut out all

Repair

Restore function

Replacement

Put in substitute

Bypass

Alter route

Insertion

Put in device

Removal

Take out device

Fusion

Join body parts

POA Y

Present on admission

POA N

Not on admission

POA U

Documentation unclear

POA W

Clinically undetermined

POA E

Exempt from reporting

HAC rule

N may reduce payment

1. 1.Cases = ~65% of score
2. 2.Open book: tab ICD manuals
3. 3.Principal DX = reason for admission
4. 4.PCS: 7 chars all required
5. 5.Excision = part; Resection = all
6. 6.POA Y on admission; N acquired
7. 7.CC moderate; MCC major severity
8. 8.Z51.11 principal for chemo admit
9. 9.Query unclear documentation first
10. 10.MS-DRG uses CC/MCC tiers