Ready to master the language of medical reimbursement? The third section of the CMA (AAMA) exam is a rigorous assessment of your ability to navigate the complex world of medical insurance, coding guidelines, and revenue cycle management. Success here requires more than just memorization; it demands the ability to apply critical thinking to real-world billing scenarios. With our targeted practice questions and expert review, you can Pass CMA Exam on Your First Try.
What’s Covered
- Medical Insurance Types and Plans: Understanding the differences between PPOs, HMOs, EPOs, Tricare, CHAMPVA, Workers’ Compensation, and disability insurance.
- ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding: Accurately translating patient diagnoses into standardized alphanumeric codes using current guidelines.
- CPT Procedure Coding: Applying the Current Procedural Terminology codes to document medical, surgical, and diagnostic procedures.
- HCPCS Level II Coding: Identifying codes for non-physician services, durable medical equipment (DME), and supplies not covered by CPT.
- Insurance Claim Processing: Managing the lifecycle of a medical claim from submission and adjudication to payment and post-payment audits.
Why This Matters
Accurate coding and billing are the backbones of a financially healthy medical practice. As a Certified Medical Assistant, you are often the last line of defense against coding errors that can lead to claim denials, delayed payments, or legal audits. Mastering these concepts ensures that providers are reimbursed fairly for their services and that the practice remains compliant with federal regulations. Furthermore, demonstrating proficiency in this area makes you an indispensable asset to any healthcare team.
How to Use This Test
This practice test consists of 42 carefully curated questions designed to mirror the format and difficulty of the actual CMA exam. We recommend taking this test in a quiet, timed environment to simulate the pressure of the testing center. After completing the exam, review your incorrect answers thoroughly. Do not just memorize the correct answer; understand the rationale behind it. This deep dive into your mistakes is where the real learning happens and will solidify your knowledge for exam day.
What to Focus On
- ICD-10-CM Coding Guidelines: Pay special attention to the “Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting,” particularly regarding manifestations and laterality.
- E/M Code Selection: Master the components of History, Exam, and Medical Decision Making (MDM) to select the correct level of service.
- Insurance Claim Denial Resolution: Know the standard timelines for filing appeals and the specific forms required (e.g., CMS-1500 vs. UB-04).
Common Pitfalls to Avoid:
- Using Unspecified Codes: Avoid codes labeled “unspecified” unless the medical record truly does not contain enough detail to code a more specific condition.
- Incorrect Sequencing: Ensure you list the primary diagnosis (the reason for the visit) first, followed by secondary diagnoses or co-morbidities.
- Failing to Link: Always ensure that the CPT code you select is supported by the ICD-10 code; a procedure without a valid diagnosis will be denied for medical necessity.
Start Your Practice Test
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- Billing, Coding and Insurance 0%
- Bookkeeping, Credits and Collections 0%
- Medical Records and Office Supplies 0%
- Oral and Written Communication, Data-Entry, Computers and Mail 0%
- Scheduling and Office Management 0%
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Question 1 of 50
1. Question
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Hint: Remember that medical records must maintain original, readable entries; when correcting an error, draw a single line through it, initial and date the correction rather than concealing the original text.
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Question 2 of 50
2. Question
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Hint: Think of the U.S. federal agency under the Department of Labor that sets and enforces standards to protect employees from occupational hazards and conducts workplace inspections.
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Question 3 of 50
3. Question
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Hint: Think of the key that “locks” capitalization so you can type uppercase letters without holding another key—unlike Shift, it toggles persistent uppercase input.
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Question 4 of 50
4. Question
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Hint: Performance appraisals should focus on job-related, observable behaviors and skills—avoid using personal or protected characteristics that are unrelated to job performance.
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Question 5 of 50
5. Question
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Hint: Think of the method that records every transaction in two places to keep the fundamental accounting equation balanced—each entry has equal and opposite effects.
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Question 6 of 50
6. Question
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Hint: Effective inventory management requires documenting all identifying and legal details—think model/serial, purchase date, and any warranty or service coverage to track ownership, maintenance, and repairs.
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Question 7 of 50
7. Question
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Hint: Consider the term for the formal opening or greeting that directly addresses the recipient and typically follows the date and inside address in a business letter.
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Question 8 of 50
8. Question
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Hint: Remember E&M stands for Evaluation and Management and the payer definitions for a “new patient” commonly hinge on whether the patient has been seen by that practice within the past three years.
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Question 9 of 50
9. Question
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Hint: Consider that “memory” in computing refers to multiple storage levels and types—volatile and nonvolatile—as well as the processor’s internal storage and system memory.
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Question 10 of 50
10. Question
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Hint: These gross motor milestones—rolling over and achieving unsupported sitting—typically emerge in mid-infancy, around 4 to 6 months of age.
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Question 11 of 50
11. Question
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Hint: When surnames are identical, move to the patients’ given (first) names and order them alphabetically—use standard A-to-Z sequencing on the first names to determine which file comes first.
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Question 12 of 50
12. Question
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Hint: For average-risk women, routine screening mammography typically begins at the start of middle age — consider the guideline-recommended age for initiating baseline screening rather than earlier young-adult years.
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Question 13 of 50
13. Question
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Hint: Think about what you can physically touch and connect to a computer versus the programs that run it—identify which option is an operating system rather than a tangible device.
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Question 14 of 50
14. Question
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Hint: Remember the accounting distinction: assets are items that provide future economic benefit or value to the business, whereas obligations that reduce resources are recorded as liabilities.
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Question 15 of 50
15. Question
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Hint: Think of the document completed at the time of discharge that briefly summarizes the patient’s hospital course, final diagnoses, and follow-up instructions and is usually dictated by the admitting physician.
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Question 16 of 50
16. Question
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Hint: Effective matrix preparation relies on knowing provider availability first—coordinate with clinicians to block their unavailable times so appointments fit around their schedules.
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Question 17 of 50
17. Question
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Hint: Consider which option refers to the non-physical set of programs or instructions that tell the hardware (CPU, motherboard, RAM) what operations to perform.
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Question 18 of 50
18. Question
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Hint: Think of the encounter form that documents the specific services and diagnosis codes provided during a visit — it’s used to itemize what the provider performed for billing and patient records.
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Question 19 of 50
19. Question
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Hint: Remember the common convention in many applications that pressing the first function key on the keyboard opens the Help window—think “first function = help.”
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Question 20 of 50
20. Question
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Hint: Use the fundamental accounting equation Assets = Liabilities + Owner’s Equity and algebraically rearrange it to isolate liabilities.
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Question 21 of 50
21. Question
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Hint: Focus on the term that describes a manufacturer’s written assurance to repair or replace a defective product for a specified period after purchase — a consumer protection promise tied to product condition.
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Question 22 of 50
22. Question
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Hint: Think about the term used for the unreadable output produced by an encryption algorithm, which contrasts with the original readable data known as plaintext.
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Question 23 of 50
23. Question
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Hint: Consider the numeric identifier assigned to a device on an IP network—commonly formatted as four octets in IPv4 or longer hexadecimal groups in IPv6—used for routing traffic to that specific host.
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Question 24 of 50
24. Question
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Hint: For a hearing-impaired patient, prioritize clear enunciation, good lighting, and visual cues rather than raising your voice—shouting can distort speech and hinder lip-reading.
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Question 25 of 50
25. Question
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Hint: Always verify delivered items immediately against the packing slip or invoice to confirm accuracy and condition before putting them away.
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Question 26 of 50
26. Question
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Hint: Think of the phrase used when a patient authorizes the insurer to send payment straight to the healthcare provider—it’s the transfer of the insurer’s payment rights to the physician.
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Question 27 of 50
27. Question
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Hint: Consider which payment instruments are backed by guaranteed or prepaid funds—cashier’s checks are drawn on the bank, certified checks confirm funds in the account, and money orders are prepaid.
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Question 28 of 50
28. Question
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Hint: Think about the official source designated to distribute and manage Medicare materials—look for the Medicare fiscal intermediary or agency directory as the authorized supplier of forms.
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Question 29 of 50
29. Question
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Hint: Think of the envelope size most commonly used for business letters—it accommodates an 8.5″×11″ sheet folded into thirds and is the standard for mass mailing.
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Question 30 of 50
30. Question
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Hint: Think about the device whose primary function is to convert digital signals to analog (and back) so data can travel over telephone or network communication lines.
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Question 31 of 50
31. Question
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Hint: For neoplasms, focus on the oncology coding system where the histologic type (morphology) is recorded in the specific morphology field/letter of ICD-O; E‑codes and the numeric code ranges listed refer to external causes or other diagnosis/injury blocks, not tumor morphology.
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Question 32 of 50
32. Question
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Hint: Think about which type of program is designed to store structured records, create tables/queries/forms, and manage relationships for large datasets rather than just for text, numbers, or presentations.
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Question 33 of 50
33. Question
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Hint: Remember that vaccine administration codes for influenza fall within the 906xx series of CPT codes, distinct from evaluation/management or unrelated procedure code ranges.
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Question 34 of 50
34. Question
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Hint: Remember that bank statements are periodic records showing the ending balance for the period and should be compared against the practice’s records when received—this is typically done monthly as part of routine reconciliation.
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Question 35 of 50
35. Question
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Hint: Remember key FDCPA restrictions: collectors may not contact consumers at inconvenient hours (generally before 8am or after 9pm), may not engage in harassment such as daily calls, and must avoid communications that openly disclose debt (e.g., postcards).
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Question 36 of 50
36. Question
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Hint: Think of the chart status assigned when a patient’s record is finalized and the practice no longer has an ongoing relationship—used for files that are no longer part of the active roster.
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Question 37 of 50
37. Question
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Hint: Remember that debts of a deceased person are typically handled through the probate process and paid from the estate by the executor, not by expecting personal payment from next of kin.
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Question 38 of 50
38. Question
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Hint: Remember that the SI prefix “mega” means 10^6 and “hertz” denotes cycles per second—combine those to get the unit’s value.
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Question 39 of 50
39. Question
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Hint: Think ergonomics: preventing strain and musculoskeletal injury requires proper seating, neutral neck alignment, and periodic movement—what answer would include all these measures?
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Question 40 of 50
40. Question
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Hint: For a standard mailing address, list the recipient’s name followed immediately by street, city, state, and ZIP in correct sequence—avoid unnecessary professional titles or redundant degree abbreviations.
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Question 41 of 50
41. Question
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Hint: Think about using built-in buffer times in the daily schedule so the physician has designated periods to catch up on overruns rather than rushing or cutting appointments short.
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Question 42 of 50
42. Question
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Hint: Think of a system that staggers several short appointment start times within each hour so the clinician can see patients in smaller increments and use any catch-up time efficiently.
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Question 43 of 50
43. Question
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Hint: Think of the ICD-10 code block used for reasons for visits and non-disease situations—codes that document encounters, vaccinations, screenings, and other factors influencing a patient’s health status.
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Question 44 of 50
44. Question
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Hint: Think about the accounting term for what a company owes to others—obligations or debts that must be paid in the future are recorded under which category on the balance sheet?
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Question 45 of 50
45. Question
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Hint: Think about the insurance term that describes how multiple policies share payment responsibility to prevent duplicate or excess benefits when a patient has more than one plan.
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Question 46 of 50
46. Question
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Hint: Consider which choices are established legal business structures (forms of organization) versus a phrase that describes a concept of risk or responsibility rather than a formal entity type.
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Question 47 of 50
47. Question
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Hint: Think of the federal healthcare program specifically created to provide coverage for active-duty service members, retirees, and their families—not the standard private insurance models like HMO, PPO, or EPO.
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Question 48 of 50
48. Question
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Hint: Think about the primary function: does the device store data persistently, or does it route network traffic between devices?
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Question 49 of 50
49. Question
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Hint: To minimize disruption to the day’s flow and reduce waiting for other patients, schedule habitual latecomers so their tardiness affects fewer appointments—think placement within the appointment block rather than penalizing or labeling them.
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Question 50 of 50
50. Question
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Hint: Think of the physical placeholder or marker inserted into a file drawer to show a record has been removed and to indicate its location or who has it.
Medical Disclaimer: The content provided in this practice test is for educational purposes only and is intended to assist students in preparing for the CMA (AAMA) certification exam. Coding guidelines and healthcare regulations are subject to change. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or applicability of this information to specific clinical or billing scenarios. Always refer to the most current ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS official guidelines and your employer’s compliance policies.