Question

What are three purposes of ICD-9-CM?

Answer 1

The ICD-9-CM is utilized for standardizing diagnosis and treatment codes, facilitating the medical billing process, and supporting public health research by tracking disease morbidity and mortality rates.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ICD-9-CM (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification) has three primary purposes in the healthcare setting:

1. Ensuring standardized diagnosis and treatment codes across medical facilities which allows healthcare providers to communicate effectively.
2. Facilitating the billing process by providing a consistent system for medical coders and billers to categorize services for insurance claims.
3. Supporting public health research and tracking by offering a means to monitor morbidity and mortality rates and trends over time.

For example, when a patient is treated for a viral infection, ICD codes are essential for ordering the correct laboratory tests and treatments, ensuring proper billing, and contributing to significant health statistics that inform public health decisions.