Which statement is true about the nature of conditions represented by HCCs?

• A. Most are chronic, but some severe acute conditions are also risk adjusted.
• B. All are chronic.
• C. HCCs cover only infectious diseases.
• D. Acute conditions are never risk adjusted.

Answer: (A)

HCCs categorize diagnoses into risk categories that CMS uses to adjust payments based on expected future costs. The majority of these categories describe chronic conditions—ongoing health problems that persist and typically drive continued healthcare utilization. However, some severe acute conditions are also captured in risk adjustment because a serious acute event can lead to substantial costs, complications, or a transition to chronic disease, which affects future spending. So the true statement reflects that most HCCs are chronic, but a subset covers acute conditions with meaningful cost implications as well. The other options aren’t accurate because HCCs are not limited to chronic conditions, they cover more than infectious diseases, and acute conditions can indeed be risk adjusted when they influence future costs.