American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Certification Practice Exam

In the context of coding, what is the outcome of unbundling?

1. Preventing excessive billing practices.

2. Reporting individual tests instead of a bundle code.

3. Improving coding accuracy and efficiency.

4. Ensuring comprehensive billing of all services.

The correct answer is: Reporting individual tests instead of a bundle code.

Unbundling refers to the practice of reporting individual tests and services separately rather than using a combination or bundle code that encompasses multiple services. This practice can lead to increased revenue for healthcare facilities or providers, as it allows each service to be billed separately rather than as a single bundled code. This can be particularly relevant in cases where the bundled code does not accurately reflect the scope of services provided, resulting in the potential for more precise coding and billing. While unbundling can sometimes be associated with preventing excessive billing practices or improving coding accuracy, its primary definition focuses on breaking down a bundled code into its individual components. Therefore, the reporting of individual tests instead of utilizing a bundle code is the essence of unbundling in the coding context.