CPB Certified Professional Biller Certification Practice Exam

What is the meaning of AP-DRG?

1. All Patient Diagnosis-Related Group

2. Average Patient Diagnosis-Related Group

3. American Patient Diagnosis-Related Group

4. All Planned Diagnosis-Related Group

The correct answer is: All Patient Diagnosis-Related Group

The term AP-DRG stands for All Patient Diagnosis-Related Group. This classification system is used in the healthcare industry to categorize hospital cases into groups that are clinically similar and that are expected to require similar amounts of hospital resources. The AP-DRG system is designed to be more inclusive, allowing for a broader range of patients—including those with comorbidities or other conditions—while facilitating more accurate billing and resource allocation in the context of Medicare and other health programs. This system helps healthcare providers assess their resource utilization and outcomes based on the types of patients they serve, which is crucial for reimbursement purposes and quality improvement initiatives. The inclusive nature of the AP-DRG system contrasts with variations that may focus on average patient encounters or a specific demographic of patients, which is not the approach of the AP-DRG designation.