Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) Practice Exam

Inpatient coding is the correct choice for coding primarily used during hospital admissions because it pertains specifically to patients who are admitted to a hospital for overnight stays or longer. This form of coding involves the classification of diagnoses and procedures performed during the patient's hospital stay, thereby ensuring that the services provided are accurately documented, billed, and reimbursed.

Inpatient coding typically utilizes the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes to describe the patient's diagnoses as well as the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes for procedures performed. Coders must follow specific guidelines set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and other regulatory bodies concerning which codes to use, based on the documentation in the patient’s medical record.

The other types of coding—outpatient coding, ambulatory coding, and preventive coding—do not directly apply to hospital admissions. Outpatient coding pertains to services provided to patients who receive care without being admitted to the hospital. Ambulatory coding is often related to outpatient services and procedures performed where the patient is not required to stay overnight. Preventive coding focuses specifically on services aimed at disease prevention rather than treatment or admission for acute conditions. Thus, inpatient coding is distinct from these other coding