Free COBGC exam Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the COBGC exam practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1When assigning an ICD-10-CM diagnosis from an OB/GYN office note, where should the coder first find the documented term?

   1. A. In the Alphabetic Index, followed by verification in the Tabular List
   2. B. In the Tabular List, followed by verification in the Alphabetic Index
   3. C. In the Table of Drugs and Chemicals, regardless of the diagnosis
   4. D. In the code description list without reviewing instructional notes

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The guidelines say "first locate the term in the Alphabetic Index, and then verify the code in the Tabular List." This establishes the search and verification sequence.

   Reference: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting FY 2027 — page 12

2. 2For an office E/M visit, the documented MDM supports a more fitting visit level than the short duration. Which basis may the coder use?

   1. A. Use the average of time and MDM levels
   2. B. Use history length to override both
   3. C. Select the level using MDM
   4. D. Select the level using time only

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The AMA says, "The methodology that accounts for the most appropriate and relevant elements for a given patient encounter should be used to select the appropriate codes." It expressly gives a short, high-intensity visit as an example where MDM may better reflect the service.

   Reference: CPT Evaluation and Management (E/M) Revisions FAQs — Additional E/M questions, code selection by MDM or time

3. 3An OB/GYN practice wants to bill a follow-up auxiliary-personnel service as Medicare incident to a physician's care. What must have occurred in the course of treatment?

   1. A. The physician personally performed an initial service and remains actively involved
   2. B. The auxiliary person created the original treatment plan independently
   3. C. The patient requested billing under the physician's name
   4. D. The supervising physician saw the patient only after the follow-up service

   Answer: A

   Explanation: CMS requires that services "Are an integral part of the patient’s normal treatment when the physician or other listed practitioner personally performed an initial service and remains actively involved in the course of treatment."

   Reference: Incident To Services & Supplies — Incident-to requirements

4. 4In an obstetric case with a pregnancy complication and a related nonobstetric condition, which chapter's diagnosis code has sequencing priority?

   1. A. ICD-10-CM chapter 18
   2. B. The chapter with the higher code number
   3. C. Whichever chapter contains the more specific descriptor
   4. D. ICD-10-CM chapter 15

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The obstetric guideline says, "Chapter 15 codes have sequencing priority over codes from other chapters." Related additional codes may further specify conditions.

   Reference: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting FY 2027 — Chapter 15(a)(1), page 63

5. 5A pelvic examination is performed solely as a necessary confirmatory part of a gynecologic operation. How is the examination reported under Medicare NCCI?

   1. A. As part of the gynecologic procedure, without a separate pelvic exam code
   2. B. As a separate E/M service in every case
   3. C. As a biopsy of the operative field
   4. D. As a separately reportable pelvic examination

   Answer: A

   Explanation: CMS states, "the pelvic examination is not separately reportable." The preceding sentence limits this to an exam necessary to or confirmatory of the gynecologic procedure, as in the stem.

   Reference: Medicare NCCI Policy Manual 2026, Chapter VII — Chapter VII(E)(1), page VII-9

6. 6In the operative term hysterectomy, what structure does the root hyster- identify?

   1. A. Ovary
   2. B. Fallopian tube
   3. C. Cervix
   4. D. Uterus

   Answer: D

   Explanation: MedlinePlus lists "hyster-, hystero- uterus"; the root identifies the uterus in the procedure name.

   Reference: MedlinePlus Appendix A: Word Parts and What They Mean — Body Parts and Disorders: hyster-, hystero-

7. 7In OB/GYN anatomy, which organs function as the primary female gonads?

   1. A. Uterine horns
   2. B. Cervical glands
   3. C. Ovaries
   4. D. Fallopian tubes

   Answer: C

   Explanation: NCI SEER states, "The primary female reproductive organs, or gonads, are the two ovaries."

   Reference: SEER Training: Ovaries — Ovaries, introductory paragraph

8. 8An OB/GYN note states a diagnosis, but the coder thinks a clinical test result does not meet the usual threshold. What controls ICD-10-CM diagnosis assignment?

   1. A. The laboratory's reference range alone
   2. B. The patient's description of a suspected diagnosis
   3. C. The coder's independent interpretation of the test
   4. D. The provider's diagnostic statement that the condition exists

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The official guideline states, "The assignment of a diagnosis code is based on the provider’s diagnostic statement that the condition exists." The coder does not substitute a clinical threshold for that statement.

   Reference: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting FY 2027 — page 12

9. 9An office note does not indicate whether a chronic problem is stable or worsening. Who is expected to make that clinical determination for MDM?

   1. A. The payer based on past claims
   2. B. The physician or other qualified health care professional
   3. C. The scheduling staff based on visit length
   4. D. The coder based on laboratory values

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The AMA states, "The patient's physician or other QHP is expected to determine whether the medical problem or illness is stable or worsening." The coder should not make that clinical judgment independently.

   Reference: CPT Evaluation and Management (E/M) Revisions FAQs — MDM element: Number and complexity of problems addressed

10. 10For ordinary Medicare incident-to services in an office, which supervision and billing relationship does CMS state?

    1. A. The auxiliary employee bills Medicare directly
    2. B. The patient chooses which physician's number appears on the claim
    3. C. Any physician in the group can bill without supervising
    4. D. The supervising physician or listed practitioner directly supervises and bills

    Answer: D

    Explanation: CMS says incident-to services "Are provided under direct supervision by a physician or other listed practitioner for the incident to services, and only the physician or other listed practitioner who supervises the incident to services may bill them."

    Reference: Incident To Services & Supplies — Incident-to requirements