In all the chapters the Case Studies represent situations similar to those that the medical assistant may encounter in daily practice. Students are encouraged to consider the case study as they read each chapter.

A patient who has asthma has an office visit for her chest pain and shortness of breath. The physician performs a cardiovascular stress test using submaximal treadmill (with continuous electrocardiographic monitoring, physician supervision, and interpretation/report) to assess the patient's heart function. While the patient is in the office, the physician also evaluates her asthma and increases her prescription for asthma medication.

As you read this chapter, consider the following questions:

1. How would you select the ICD-9 and CPT codes for a health-care claim for this visit?

2. What diagnosis and procedure codes will result in the correct payment for these services?

3. How should the claim show the medical necessity of the procedures?

4. Locate the ICD-9 code for the patient's asthma. How many digits are required? What code did you assign?

5. Locate the CPT code for the cardiovascular stress test. What information did you use to select it from the list of related codes?