What are ICD-10-CM guidelines?

The ICD-10-CM is a morbidity classification published by the United States for classifying diagnoses and reason for visits in all health care settings. The ICD-10-CM is based on the ICD-10, the statistical classification of disease published by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Where are the guidelines for the ICD-10-CM located?

The most direct source of the ICD-10-CM code set is the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). NCHS is responsible for maintaining the ICD-10-CM code set. There is no cost to download ICD-10-CM from the NCHS website.

How do you navigate the ICD-10-CM Official guidelines?

A Five-Step Process

• Step 1: Search the Alphabetical Index for a diagnostic term.
• Step 2: Check the Tabular List.
• Step 3: Read the code’s instructions.
• Step 4: If it is an injury or trauma, add a seventh character.
• Step 5: If glaucoma, you may need to add a seventh character.

Why are ICD-10 guidelines important?

The transition to ICD-10-CM/PCS allowed for precise diagnosis and procedure codes, resulting in the improved capture of health care information and more accurate reimbursement. Benefits of ICD-10-CM/PCS include: Improved ability to measure health care services, including quality and safety data.

How are the guidelines in the ICD-10-CM Coding Manual organized?

ICD-10-CM is a seven-character, alphanumeric code. Each code begins with a letter, and that letter is followed by two numbers. The first three characters of ICD-10-CM are the “category.” The category describes the general type of the injury or disease. The category is followed by a decimal point and the subcategory.

Why are coding guidelines used?

The reason why coding standards are important is that they help to ensure safety, security, and reliability. Every development team should use one. Even the most experienced developer could introduce a coding defect — without realizing it.

Why coding guidelines are important?

Coding standards are important for software developers for several reasons: 40% – 80% of the total cost of software is spent on its maintenance. Software is almost never fully supported by its original author. Coding standards improve software readability by allowing developers to understand new code faster and better.

What are the sections of the ICD-10-CM Official guidelines for coding and Reporting?

Section II includes guidelines for selection of principal diagnosis for non-outpatient settings. Section III includes guidelines for reporting additional diagnoses in non-outpatient settings. Section IV is for outpatient coding and reporting.