What does NCCI stand for?

• A. National Coding Compliance Initiative
• B. National Correct Coding Initiative
• C. National Coverage and Coding Initiative
• D. National Clinical Coding Initiative

Answer: (B)

National Correct Coding Initiative is the name for a CMS program that promotes accurate coding and helps prevent improper payments in Medicare and Medicaid. It provides a set of edits, called CCI edits, that identify code pairs that should not be billed together for the same encounter. The goal is to avoid duplicative or inappropriate payments by bundling certain services so only the appropriate single payment is made. When two codes are linked by these edits, you generally bill the primary code, and the secondary code isn’t billed unless an approved exception applies, such as using a recognized modifier and meeting the medical necessity requirements. This system is widely used in claims processing, and it’s distinct from options that merely sound plausible but don’t reflect the official CMS program name.