What Is the International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD-9-CM)?
The ICD-9 codes are a classification system in place to classify the signs, symptoms, patient complaints, social circumstances and all aspects of the disease or injury.
Where can I find ICD-9 Codes?
As a medical billing and coding specialist you will find ICD codes on the paperwork reviewed and signed by the patients, medical records, doctors’ records and death and birth certificates.
In the United States the codes used are ICD-9-CM codes. The ICD-9 codes is what the coding specialists use to prepare the paperwork which will be sent to the billing specialist to accurately fill out claim forms and send them to the insurance carrier. It is the job of the coder and biller to work together and ensure that the claims are processed and the provider will be able to get paid for their services.
ICD-9 Making the Change to ICD-10
As of 2011 the process of phasing out the ICD-9 codes has begun and by 2013 the ICD-10 codes will be in its place. There will be a variety of changes that will take place once this change has taken place. There are a number of countries that have already made the change but many providers in the U.S. have yet to make the full switch from ICD-9 to ICD-10. These changes will mean that those currently working in then coding field will need to enroll in continuing education courses to stay ahead of the upcoming change.
As a medical biller and coder it will be up to you to ensure that you have a full understanding of the changes that will take place during the switch. The coding system currently in place for medical procedures and diagnosing injuries and illnesses will be more intricate. These intricacies will make it possible for healthcare facilities to keep the pace with an ever changing technology in the medical field as a whole.
What’s New in the ICD-10 Codes?
Some of the most notable changes that will be found in the ICD-10 codes will include:
- Codes are to be split into chapter and sub-chapters
- The codes will consist of a letter + two numbers on the left side of a decimal point and the disease letter on the right of the decimal point.
- ICD-10 codes will be able to improve how data collected is evaluated
- Improve the quality of care provided to the patients
- The number of codes in the ICD-10 will grow from the mere 14,000 in ICD-9 to a staggering 64,000 codes.
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