ICD 10 ICD-10-PCS Procedure Coding

Question 1

How many characters does every valid ICD-10-PCS code contain?

Accepted Answer

7

Answer

Every ICD-10-PCS code has exactly 7 alphanumeric characters. Each position has a set meaning, such as section, body system and root operation. ICD-10-CM codes can be 3 to 7 characters, but PCS codes are always 7.

Question 2

In the Medical and Surgical section of ICD-10-PCS, what does the 4th character represent?

Accepted Answer

Body part

Answer

The Medical and Surgical character order is: 1 Section, 2 Body System, 3 Root Operation, 4 Body Part, 5 Approach, 6 Device, 7 Qualifier.

Question 3

Which root operation means cutting out or off a portion of a body part, without replacement?

Accepted Answer

Excision

Answer

Excision removes only a portion of a body part. Resection removes all of a body part. Extirpation takes solid matter out of a body part. Detachment cuts off all or part of an upper or lower extremity.

Question 4

Which ICD-10-PCS approach value means 'Percutaneous Endoscopic'?

Accepted Answer

4

Answer

Approach values: 0 = Open, 3 = Percutaneous, 4 = Percutaneous Endoscopic, 7 = Via Natural or Artificial Opening, 8 = Via Natural or Artificial Opening Endoscopic, X = External. A laparoscopic procedure is usually coded with approach 4.

Question 5

Why are the letters O and I never used in ICD-10-PCS codes?

Accepted Answer

They would be confused with the numbers 0 and 1

Answer

PCS leaves out the letters O and I so they cannot be mistaken for the digits 0 and 1, which appear very often in PCS codes.

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ICD 10 ICD-10-PCS Procedure Coding