Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Achieve Exam Success!

The case mix index (CMI) is a critical metric in healthcare that reflects the complexity and resource utilization of the patient population served by a healthcare facility. It is calculated by assigning weights to different diagnoses based on the severity and resources required for treatment. A higher CMI indicates that the facility is treating a more complex group of patients, which generally involves more intensive care and higher costs.

Understanding CMI is essential for healthcare providers because it impacts hospital reimbursement rates, resource allocation, and operational planning. By assessing the complexity of the patient population, institutions can better gauge the types of care they provide and how efficiently they operate. This makes option B the most accurate representation of what the case mix index signifies in healthcare coding.

In contrast, other options do not encapsulate the essence of CMI. The average age of patients is not related to the complexity of their medical conditions. The total number of discharged patients is a volume metric that does not convey information about the complexity of care provided. Lastly, while financial performance may be influenced by CMI, it is not a direct measure of the complexities in patient care, making that option less relevant in this context.