Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) Practice Exam

In a hospital's Chargemaster (CDM) layout, three asterisks (***) are used to indicate that certain services do not have an associated CPT® or HCPCS Level II code. This notation signals to coders and billing personnel that the service in question cannot be easily categorized or billed using standard coding systems, which are essential for processing claims and determining reimbursement levels.

The absence of a code suggests that the service may either be newly introduced with no established coding, or it might represent a specific procedure or treatment that has not yet been assigned a code by the relevant coding authorities. Without a coding designation, it becomes important for coders to consult with clinical guidelines or develop alternative methods for billing and reimbursement, ensuring compliance and accuracy in financial transactions.

The other options address different aspects of service categorization and reimbursement but do not relate to the specific purpose of the asterisks in denoting the lack of a code. This distinction is crucial in understanding the operations of a hospital's billing system and ensuring appropriate coding practices are observed.