What is the ICD9 code?
ICD9 is a numeric diagnostic code used by insurance companies to determine whether to pay for a medical test, treatment or procedure. ICD is an abbreviation for the international classification of diseases and 9. Edition is the latest publication, with the ICD10 scheduled to publish in 2013. ICD9 codes are used together with CPT or current procedural terminological codes, in the process of medical invoicing. CPT codes are used to describe the test or procedure itself, while ICD9 codes describe the health condition of the patient who guarantees treatment. Without a medical justification provided by the ICD9 diagnostic Act, many insurance companies will not pay a related claim. The doctor's office uses the coding system to tell the insurance company why you were treated and for what treatment your doctor is asking for payment. CPT codes are used to describe the description you have actually received, such as physical examination or X -ray. ICD9 is a diagnostic code that tells why you got treatment; Can describe your youE symptoms or can describe known health conditions such as hypertension or diabetes. Insurance companies then decide whether the treatment you have received is medically necessary or suitable for these diagnoses.
You may wonder why medical and insurance providers use numerical coding for the billing process, instead of only a list of name or diagnosis. The biggest advantage of using numerical coding is that it provides a unified system that almost all doctors and insurance companies receive, helping to eliminate confusion. Medical terminology is often based on Latin and scientific terms that can be easily caught or used in a poor context and can be very cumbersome to write or enter into a billing system. The numerical coding system makes the billing process for both medical staff and insurance companies.
The coding system also allows PClea software to effectively compare CPT codes with ICD9 codes and look for a logical relationship. For example, the chest X -ray makes a logical sense if the law has an ICD9 code that states 'shortness of breath' as a symptom. This law would probably be paid without unnecessary delay. However, computer software would reject an announcement for an X -ray foot if it was accompanied by an ICD9 code describing the finger injury. This law would then be sent back to the medical staff for repair before it can be paid.
Because medical technologies are changing so quickly, it is important to have the most up -to -date copies of the ICD9 manual and CPT manuals. Both sets of codes are revised each year and revisions are available in printed and electronic versions. CPTKodes publish American Medical Association. ICD9 codes are maintained by the National Health Statistics (NCHS) and Medicare and Medicaid Services Center (CMS). You can order updated manuals directly from one of these organizations, but can usuallyTo get updates from your software dealer.