Final answer:
The Tabular List in the ICD manual contains diagnosis codes and a description of each condition, which are used across the healthcare system for various purposes including clinical documentation, laboratory tests orderings, and billing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ICD manual, also known as the International Classification of Diseases, offers a comprehensive system of diagnostic codes which are vital for many aspects of health care including clinical documentation, ordering laboratory tests, and billing. Specifically, the Tabular List in the ICD manual contains diagnosis codes and a description for each disease, condition, or cause of death. This list is organized in alphanumeric order and is divided into chapters based on disease categories. It does not include procedure codes; those are contained in separate procedural coding systems like the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).
ICD codes serve multiple functions across various sectors. For instance, clinicians use them to order appropriate laboratory tests and prescribe treatments specific to the diagnosis. Medical coders utilize these codes to accurately record procedures performed, and medical billers then process insurance claims using this information. Moreover, vital-records keepers and epidemiologists rely on these codes for recording causes of death and generating morbidity and mortality statistics.
Given its essential role in healthcare, you'll likely find ICD codes utilized by medical laboratories and the healthcare management systems, ensuring all treatments and diagnostic tests are aligned with the patient's condition.