Multiple Coding of Diagnoses

Why This Topic Matters

Accurate use of multiple coding affects diagnosis reporting consistency and helps coders follow ICD-9-CM instructional conventions. The article is useful for professionals who review index and tabular notes, manage complex diagnoses, or compare coding guidance across different conditions.

Article Sections

1. General principles of multiple coding

   Introduces the concept of multiple coding for certain conditions and summarizes where related instructions appear in ICD-9-CM. It also describes the broad types of instructional terms used in the classification.

2. Examples in the Tabular List

   Provides selected tabular examples illustrating how multiple coding is shown in Volume 1. The section references several condition categories and historical note changes.

3. Examples in the Alphabetic Index

   Shows examples from the Alphabetic Index that demonstrate how paired codes may be presented in Volume 2. The section focuses on the format of index entries rather than detailed coding policy.

4. Examples of Appropriate and Inappropriate Use of Multiple Codes

   Reviews additional cases used to distinguish situations where more than one code may be reported from situations where symptoms or other details are not separately coded. It includes examples involving several diagnoses and historical notes.