Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Achieve Exam Success!

In the context of medical coding, "unbundling" refers to the practice of charging separately for services that are typically bundled together under a single code. This can often lead to higher billing amounts as individual components of care are billed separately instead of using a single code that encompasses all related services. For instance, in procedures or services that are usually billed as a package deal, unbundling would mean taking each individual service or component that is part of that package and billing for them individually.

This approach can sometimes lead to scrutiny, as unbundling is generally viewed as an attempt to maximize reimbursement by charging more than what would typically be allowed under bundled codes. Understanding unbundling is crucial for coding specialists to ensure compliance with billing regulations and to uphold ethical standards in billing practices. The other options correspond to concepts that do not define unbundling correctly, either combining services or using different methods to bill for diagnoses and procedures, which do not capture the essence of unbundling within the coding process.