Find-A-Code Focus Newsletter

Level of Detail in Coding for ICD-10

June 29, 2015

ICD–10–CM diagnosis codes are composed of codes with 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 characters.

Diagnosis codes are to be used and reported at their highest number of characters available. Like ICD-9, it is the same hierarchical organization. Just as each character beyond three adds more specificity, the same concept applies in ICD-10.  Also, know that when there is a note under a code it applies to all codes in that category.

Characters: Codes with three characters are included in ICD–10–CM as the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of fourth and/or fifth and/or sixth characters, which provide greater specificity.

A three-character code is to be used only if there are no further subdivisions. A code is invalid if it has not been coded to the full number of characters required for that code, including the 7th character, if applicable.

 

***You will need to learn to recognize when a code is incomplete or invalid! ***


share
 

More Items in June 2015


To view more items select a month from our "Items by Month" list.

Or view documentation, coding and billing articles.

 

Poll

How likely are you to recommend Find-A-Code to a friend? 1 = not likely, 9 = very likely

News Items by Month
February 2022- 1
2021 - View
2020 - View
2019 - View
2018 - View
2017 - View
2016 - View
2015 - View
2014 - View
2013 - View
2012 - View
2011 - View
2010 - View
2009 - View
2008 - View
demo
request yours today
subscribe
start today
newsletter
free subscription

Thank you for choosing Find-A-Code, please Sign In to remove ads.