How to use this page: Interviewers care less about whether you remember a code and more about whether you can explain the guideline behind it. Practise saying these answers aloud in your own words.
What does the hiring process look like?
Most RCM and healthcare services employers in Noida use a written or online coding assessment (anatomy, terminology, ICD-10-CM, CPT and guidelines), then a technical interview with a senior coder or trainer, then an HR round. The assessment filters most candidates, so timed practice matters as much as interview preparation.
Top 15 questions with answers
1. What is the difference between ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS?
ICD-10-CM codes diagnoses in all settings. ICD-10-PCS codes procedures only for US hospital inpatient stays. Outpatient and physician procedures use CPT and HCPCS.
2. What is the difference between Excludes1 and Excludes2?
Excludes1 means the two conditions are never coded together, with limited exceptions such as when they are unrelated. Excludes2 means the excluded condition is not part of this code, but both may be coded if the patient has both.
3. How do you code uncertain diagnoses in the outpatient setting?
Do not code 'probable', 'suspected', 'rule out' or similar as if confirmed. Code to the highest degree of certainty, such as the signs and symptoms.
4. What does the 7th character A, D or S mean in injury codes?
A is initial encounter (active treatment), D is subsequent encounter (routine healing or recovery phase) and S is sequela (a late effect of the injury).
5. What is the placeholder X?
X is used as a placeholder in certain codes to allow for future expansion or to fill empty positions when a seventh character is required, for example T36.0X1A.
6. What is a combination code?
A single code that classifies two diagnoses, or a diagnosis with a complication or manifestation, such as E11.22 for type 2 diabetes with diabetic chronic kidney disease.
7. What is modifier 25?
It identifies a significant, separately identifiable E/M service by the same physician on the same day as a procedure or other service. The documentation must support the E/M beyond the usual pre- and post-procedure work.
8. When do you use modifier 59 or the X modifiers?
To show a distinct procedural service that would otherwise be bundled under NCCI edits, such as a different site or session. CMS created XE, XS, XP and XU as more specific alternatives to 59.
9. What are NCCI edits and MUEs?
The National Correct Coding Initiative's procedure-to-procedure edits identify code pairs that normally should not be billed together. Medically unlikely edits set the maximum units of a service normally reported per patient per day.
10. How is an office E/M level chosen?
By medical decision making or by total time on the date of the encounter. For MDM, two of three elements (problems addressed, data reviewed and analysed, and risk of patient management) must meet or exceed the level.
11. What is a global surgical package?
The pre-operative, intra-operative and routine post-operative care included in a surgical code's payment. Medicare global periods are 0, 10 or 90 days.
12. What is the principal diagnosis?
For inpatient stays, the condition established after study to be chiefly responsible for occasioning the admission of the patient.
13. What is an ABN?
An Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage is a Medicare form given to Original Medicare patients before a service that may not be covered, so they can decide whether to proceed and accept financial responsibility.
14. What is HIPAA's minimum necessary standard?
Covered entities and their business associates should use or disclose only the minimum protected health information needed for the task. For coders, that means accessing only the records assigned for work.
15. What is HCC coding?
Hierarchical Condition Category coding is used in risk adjustment, where chronic conditions documented and coded from patient encounters contribute to a risk score that adjusts payments to Medicare Advantage and similar plans.
Tips for the technical round
- Answer with the rule first, then an example.
- If you are unsure, say how you would verify it in the guidelines rather than guessing.
- Know the basics of your target specialty's documentation, such as operative report structure for surgery.
- Be ready to explain HIPAA in practical terms.
- Bring your credential details and be honest about your practice volume.
Questions to ask HR
- What is the CTC breakup, and what will the in-hand salary be?
- Which specialty and client will I start on?
- What are the quality and productivity targets during training?
- Is certification reimbursed, and under what conditions?
- When are employees eligible for hybrid or remote work?
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are in a medical coding assessment?
It varies by employer, commonly between 30 and 60 multiple-choice questions, sometimes with short case scenarios, usually timed.
Do interviewers allow code books in the test?
Policies differ. Some tests are closed-book and focus on concepts; others provide electronic references. Ask the recruiter beforehand.