Final answer:
ICD-10-CM codes are used to assign medical diagnoses and procedures on healthcare claims for both inpatient and outpatient services. These codes are found on medical bills, laboratory test orders, and are essential for accurate clinical documentation, insurance reimbursement, and public health research.
Step-by-step explanation:
ICD-10-CM codes are assigned to medical diagnoses and procedures on inpatient and outpatient claims. When a patient is treated for any medical condition, such as a viral infection, medical professionals use the ICD codes to classify the disease and the associated procedures. These codes are critical for several reasons; they allow clinicians to order appropriate laboratory tests and prescribe treatments, and are used by various personnel within the healthcare system. For instance, medical laboratories will reference these codes to determine necessary tests for confirming a diagnosis. Similarly, healthcare management systems use the codes to confirm the appropriateness of treatments and laboratory work. Additionally, medical coders and billers rely on these codes to accurately process claims for insurance reimbursement.
Two common locations where ICD codes are likely found include medical bills and laboratory test orders. These codes are also utilized by vital-records keepers for recording causes of death on death certificates, and by epidemiologists for calculating morbidity and mortality statistics. The adoption of ICD codes across the healthcare system facilitates a standardized approach to disease classification, which is essential for effective healthcare delivery and epidemiological research.