What is ICD 9 coding?
ICD represents a classification system for the medical community. First created to help categorize death information, ICD codes today classify all levels of treatment and illnesses for patients. The codes have a wide range of use within health care organizations.Understanding ICD 9ICD 9, or the International Classification of Diseases, currently represents the ninth revision, clinical modification, or ICD-9-CM. Although individual codes may receive annual updates, the next entire system classification update takes place in 2013, becoming ICD-10.Defining CodingSpecially-trained health care professionals, called coders, perform the coding process by assigning codes to medical diagnoses and procedures.Purpose and UseICD-9-CM coding provides a means for indexing, storing and retrieving information, assigning reimbursement and reporting statistics and data to improve health care.Diagnosis CodesAssigned to a patient’s symptoms, diseases, injuries and illnesses, ICD-9-CM diagnoses codes are r
