Title: Module 9 Introduction to Diagnosis
Course: Introduction to Coding and Classification Systems > Section: Module 9: Introduction to Diagnosis Coding ICD-10-CM

Introduction

Now that you have completed the ICD-9-CM diagnosis coding portion of the course you are now ready to learn ICD-10-CM the coding system that will replace ICD-9-CM. Module 9 will cover Chapters 1, 2, 3, 7, and 12 in your AHA ICD-10-CM Handbook concentration on diagnosis coding. Content in Chapters 4, 5, and 6 were already covered in Module 1 for ICD-9-CM. You should read these chapters to refresh your memory.

There are many similarities in the organization of ICD-10-CM including Volume 1 (Tabular List) and Volume 2 (Alphabetic Index) and conventions. There is no Volume 3 for procedures. A separate book is used for inpatient/hospital procedural coding (IDC-10-PCS) which will be taught in depth in the next coding course.

There are three-, four-, five-, six-, and seven- character subdivisions provided in ICD-10-CM to provide more specificity. There are 21 chapters in ICD-10-CM versus 17 in ICD-9-CM which are organized in a different sequence and expanded.

NOTE: Comprehensive understanding of the format of the Alphabetic Index is needed to coding accurately and to obtain the right code.

ICD-10-CM codes are alphanumeric with all codes starting with an alphabetic character. The use of a placeholder (X) is used as the fifth character for certain six-character codes. Additionally, certain code categories have an additional seventh-character extension.

The Instruction Notes are very similar to ICD-9-CM except for the provision of Excludes 1 and Excludes 2.

- Excludes 1- means “NOT CODED HERE”
- Excludes 2- means “NOT INCLUDED HERE”, may require an additional code.

Basic Coding Guidelines are provided in Chapter 7.

Course Outcomes

- Recognizes the basic coding steps for coding medical diagnosis in both ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM. (1)
- Comprehends the basic coding guidelines established by the American Hospital Association for both ICD-9-CM and ICD-10CM. (2)
- Converts medical documentation into both ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes. (3)

Objectives

After completing Module 9 you should be able to:

- Explain the improvements that make the ICD-10 system more efficient and useful than the ICD-9 system.
- Explain why a change to ICD-10 will be beneficial.
- Explain the basic principles of the ICD-10-CM system.
- Demonstrate understanding of the three-, four-, five-, six-, and seven-character subdivisions.
- Explain the alphanumeric rules and indention patterns.
- List the different types of instructional notes.
- Describe the differences between the abbreviations NEC and NOS.
- Use the cross-reference notes
- Define the meanings of punctuation marks and relational terms.
- Determine what level of detail to assign to a code.
- Explain the use combination codes correctly.
- Understand how to assign multiple codes to fully explain the condition.
- Determine what qualifications determine whether an unconfirmed diagnosis is coded as though it were an established diagnosis.
- Explain the difference between “rule out and “ruled out.”
- Code acute and chronic conditions.
- Understand how to code conditions labeled “impending’, “ threathened”, or ”late effect.”
- Locate Z codes and External cause of morbidity codes and when they are used.

Readings and Resources

- Chapters 1, 2, 3, 7, and 12 and complete all exercises to prepare for Test 9
- Review Chapters 4, 5, and 6 for ICD-9-CM
- Review Official ICD-10-CM General Coding Guidelines provided on course website.

Discussion

The above link takes you to the discussion page.  Please follow the directions and post your response.

Test

Starting ICD-10-CM  This test has 25 questions worth 2 points each. As always, you have 1 hour to complete the open book exam and you have the opportunity to retake the test if you want to improve your score.