AMA CPT® Assistant - 2014 Issue 4 (April)
ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM Comparison (April 2014)
April 2014 pages 7-9 ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM Comparison There is much anxiety in the coding community about the change from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM. After all, the same diagnosis coding system has been in use in the United States for nearly 30 years; and change is never easy. While it is decidedly a change that needs to be planned for and requires additional training, it is a manageable change because there are many similarities between the two systems. An experienced ICD-9-CM coder will recognize that while the ICD-10-CM codes may look different, many familiar features have been retained in the...
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Article Overview
This article reviews the transition from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM by comparing the overall code structure, index and tabular organization, conventions, exclusion note types, and major areas where ICD-10-CM adds specificity. It is aimed at coders, physicians, and other healthcare professionals who need a practical orientation to the types of changes involved and the kinds of documentation detail ICD-10-CM can capture. The discussion stays at a high level while using selected examples to illustrate the general categories of change.
Why This Topic Matters
Understanding the broad differences between ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM helps coding teams prepare for documentation needs, recognize structural changes, and appreciate why diagnosis specificity matters for reporting and data quality.
Article Sections
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April 2014 pages 7-9
Introductory comparison of ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM and the general reasons the transition requires preparation and training.
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Code Structure
Overview of how ICD-10-CM code structure differs from ICD-9-CM and how longer alphanumeric codes are organized.
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Format
Discussion of the Alphabetic Index and Tabular List and other format-related features used in ICD-10-CM.
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Conventions
Summary of retained conventions and the broader changes to exclusion note structure in ICD-10-CM.
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Greater Granularity
Explanation of the main areas where ICD-10-CM provides more detail, including laterality, injuries, combination concepts, obstetrics, and external causes.
What You Will Learn
- How ICD-10-CM differs from ICD-9-CM at a structural level
- How the Index and Tabular List are organized in ICD-10-CM
- What broad convention changes are discussed in the comparison
- Which major documentation areas gain specificity in ICD-10-CM
- Why more detailed diagnosis reporting can affect clinical and administrative data
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding educators
- Physicians and other clinicians
- Billing and reimbursement staff
- Health information management professionals
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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