FREE Medical Coding (CMCS) Sample Questions and Answers
Describe ICD-9-CM
Which volume has the operations and processes classification?
The operations and processes classification is found in Volume 3 of the ICD-9, titled "The Tabular List and Alphabetic Index of Procedures." This volume contains codes for medical procedures and services, describing and classifying medical procedures and services performed in inpatient and outpatient settings. The principles in Volume 3 are organized into chapters based on the type of procedure or service being performed. Each chapter includes a range of codes that correspond to specific functions and services.
What constitutes each of the three ICD-9 volumes' classifications?
Explanation:
The International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9) is a coding system used to classify and code diagnoses, diseases, and medical procedures. The three volumes of ICD-9 are organized as follows:
Volume 1: The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
- This volume contains a list of diseases and injuries organized numerically by code from 001-999.9. Each code represents a specific diagnosis or condition and is accompanied by a description of the disease or injury. Volume 1 is primarily used for coding diagnoses in inpatient and outpatient medical settings.
Volume 2: The Alphabetic Index of Diseases and Injuries
- This volume contains an alphabetical list of terms and corresponding code numbers. It can be used to locate a specific code based on the diagnosis or condition or to find a diagnosis or condition based on a specific code. Volume 2 is a helpful reference tool for medical coders, physicians, and other healthcare providers.
Volume 3: The Tabular List and Alphabetic Index of Procedures
- This volume contains a list of medical procedures, surgical operations, and diagnostic tests organized by code. Each code represents a specific procedure or test and is accompanied by a description of the system or test—volume 3 primarily principles medical methods in inpatient and outpatient medical settings.
They are used to distinguish between synonyms for the same code inserted at the start of a chapter or section.
The phrase "not elsewhere classified" is used in Volume 2 to indicate that there isn't a separate classification for the condition.
What is contained in volume 3 of the tabular volume?
When neither the diagnostic statement nor the health records include the necessary information, "not otherwise stated" is used in Volume 1.
Explanation:
The term "not otherwise specified" (NOS) is often used in Volume 1 of the ICD-9 to indicate that the diagnostic statement or health record does not provide enough information to assign a more specific code. The NOS code is used when the healthcare provider cannot find enough data to give a more specific code to describe a patient's condition or diagnosis. The NOS code is meant to be used as a last resort when no other code is available or appropriate.