What is the alphabetic index in medical coding?
Alphabetic Index: An alphabetical list of ICD-10-CM (Clinical Modification) terms and their corresponding codes, which helps to determine which section to refer to in the Tabular List. It does not always provide the full code.
What is the purpose of the alphabetic index?
A6 The purpose of the alphabetic index is to locate the appropriate table that contains all information necessary to construct a procedure code. The PCS Tables should always be consulted to find the most appropriate valid code.
What is used in the index to identify manifestation codes?
Brackets are used in the Alphabetic Index to identify manifestation codes. : Colons are used in the Tabular List after an incomplete term which needs one or more of the modifiers following the colon to make it assignable to a given category.
What is the main term in the alphabetic index?
Format and Use of Alphabetic Index The first lead term is “Abdomen.” Since there are more than three modifying terms, Abdomen is in bold type. The “NOS” term is always listed first under a heading in the index (rather than in alphabetic order under N).
Is it acceptable to code from the alphabetic index?
It is essential to use both the Alphabetic Index and Tabular List when locating and assigning a code. The Alphabetic Index does not always provide the full code. Selection of the full code, including laterality and any applicable 7th character can only be done in the Tabular List.
Why is it important to use alphabetic index and tabular list?
Why is it important to use both the Alphabetic Index and Tabular List for code assignment? It is important to use both the Alphabetic Index and Tabular List to code because the Alphabetic Index does not always give the full code. Referring to the Tabular List to verify that no other character is required.
Why does the medical coder reference both the alphabetic index and tabular list in code selection?
What are the three main steps to coding accurately?
Accomplish this by doing the three-step approach in finding the condition in the alphabetic index, verifying the code and looking for the highest specificity in the tabular index, and reviewing the chapter-specific coding guidelines for any additional guidance.
Which code is sequenced first?
Coding conventions require the condition be sequenced first followed by the manifestation. Wherever such a combination exists, there is a “code first” note with the manifestation code and a “use additional code” note with the etiology code in ICD-10.
What is the tabular index?
The tabular index is organized in chapters based on the body’s systems. All gastrointestinal diseases are grouped together, as are all musculo-skeletal conditions and so on. The tabular index breaks broad disease categories into smaller classifications, with a specific code for each.
How do you find the main term in medical coding?
For ICD-9 your main term is the condition, disease or symptom. For CPT the main term could be the condition, name of procedure or medical service, name of anatomic site or organ, OR synonyms, eponyms or abbreviations.
Why must coders reference both the alphabetic index and tabular list?