ICD-10-CM Code Structure Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes about ICD-10-CM coding.

ICD-10-CM Code

Diagnosis codes that are between 3 and 7 characters in length and can be very specific.

Laterality

Describes the sides of the body in ICD-10-CM coding.

Category

The term for a code that has 3 characters in the ICD-10-CM structure; also referred to as 'The Boss'.

Sub-Category

The term for a code that has 4 to 5 characters in the ICD-10-CM structure and includes etiology, anatomical site, and severity of illness.

Code

The term for a code that has 6 to 7 characters in the ICD-10-CM structure, including etiology, anatomical site, severity of illness, laterality, specificity and extension.

Medical Coders

Professionals who turn doctor's notes into numeric medical codes, following coding guidelines.

Medical Billers

Professionals who input numerical medical codes into a billing system for payment, following payer guidelines.

Etiology

The cause of a disease or injury, often included in the sub-category (4-5 characters) and code (6-7 characters) levels of ICD-10-CM coding.

Anatomical Site

The body part affected, often specified in the sub-category (4-5 characters) and code (6-7 characters) levels of ICD-10-CM coding.

Specificity

A characteristic included in the sub-category and code levels, describing how detailed the diagnosis is.