Coding Conventions
What is the Alphabetic Index and the Tabular List of the ICD-10 coding manual?
The Alphabetic Index is a list of terms and their corresponding code. While the Tabular List is a structured list of codes divided into chapters based on body system or condition.
What is the methodology used to select a code that corresponds to the diagnosis or reason for a visit?
You first locate the term in the Alphabetic Index, and then verify the code in the Tabular List. Read and be guided by instructional notations that appear in both the Alphabetic Index and the Tabular List.
What is meant by "Confirmed cases" as it relates to coding HIV infections/illnesses?
In this context, “confirmation” does not require documentation of positive serology or culture for HIV; the provider’s diagnostic statement that the patient is HIV positive, or has an HIV-related illness is sufficient.
What is the final level of code division in the ICD-10 Manual?
A code.
What is meant by "Use Additional Code" notes found in the tabular List of the ICD-10 manual.
These notes are used when the code is not a part of the etiology/manifestation pair yet there is still a need to fully describe the condition.
What category code defines the infections resistant to antibiotics?
Z16
What are Place Holders used for within the ICD-10 Manual?
The ICD-10-CM utilizes a placeholder character “X”. The “X” is used as a placeholder at certain codes to allow for future expansion.
What is the process for coding one condition described as Acute (subacute) and Cronic, and separate subentries exist in the Alphabetic Index at the same indentation level?
You code both and sequence the acute (subacute) code first.
This is the term for your arms?
What is extremities.
What are [] used for in the Tabular List versus the Alphabetic Index in the ICD-10 Manual?
Brackets are used in the Tabular List to enclose synonyms, alternative wording or explanatory phrases and in the Alphabetic Index to identify manifestation codes.
What Sequela mean as seen in the ICD-10 manual?
A sequela is the residual effect (condition produced) after the acute phase of an illness or injury has terminated.
What is meant by "In Diseases Classified Elsewhere" found in the ICD-10 Coding Manual?
It means this is a manifestation code. Codes with this title are a component of the Etiology. Codes with this title should never be listed as 1st or primary diagnosis.
What are two processes for the use of "External Cause of Morbidity"?
1. They should be assigned to identify the cause of the injury(ies) incurred as a result of the hurricane. 2. The use of external cause of morbidity codes is supplemental to the application of ICD-10-CM codes.
3. External cause of morbidity codes are never to be recorded as a principal diagnosis (first-listed in non-inpatient settings).
4. The appropriate injury code should be sequenced before any external cause codes.
5. The external cause of morbidity codes capture how the injury or health condition happened (cause), the intent (unintentional or accidental; or intentional, such as suicide or assault), the place where the event occurred, the activity of the patient at the time of the event, and the person’s status (e.g., civilian, military). Etc.