by Christine Woolstenhulme, QCC, QMCS, CPC, CMRS
October 8th, 2014
The examples below show the structural differences between ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM/PCS.
ICD-9-CM Diagnoses Codes:
- 3–5 digits
- First digit is alpha (E or V) or numeric
- Digits 2–5 are numeric; and Decimal is after third digit
Examples:
496 – Chronic airway obstruction, Not Elsewhere Classified (NEC)
511.9 – Unspecified pleural effusion
V02.61 – Hepatitis B carrier
ICD-10-CM Diagnoses Codes:
- 3–7 digits
- Digit 1 is alpha
- Digit 2 is numeric
- Digits 3–7 are alpha or numeric (alpha digits are not case sensitive)
- Decimal is after third digit
Examples:
A78 – Q fever
A69.21 – Meningitis due to Lyme disease
S52.131a – Displaced fracture of neck of right radius, initial encounter for closed fracture.
ICD-9-CM Procedure Codes:
- 3–4 digits
- All digits are numeric
- Decimal is after second digit
Examples:
43.5 – Partial gastrectomy with anastomosis to esophagus; and
44.42 – Suture of duodenal ulcer site.
ICD-10-PCS Procedure Codes:
- 7 digits
- Each digit is either alpha or numeric (alpha digits are not case sensitive and letters O and I are not used to avoid confusion with numbers 0 and 1
- No decimal
Examples:
0FB03ZX – Excision of liver, percutaneous approach, diagnostic; and
0DQ10ZZ – Repair upper esophagus, open approach.
References: