Final answer:
Figuring out which diagnosis is the reason for the patient's procedure or service is known as (C) medical necessity, which ensures that healthcare services provided are essential for the treatment of the patient's condition. ICD codes are employed by various healthcare professionals to record, communicate, and process information for the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
Step-by-step explanation:
Figuring out which diagnosis is the reason for the patient's procedure or service is known as medical necessity. Medical necessity is a fundamental concept in the healthcare industry that links a patient's diagnosis to a particular procedure or service, ensuring that it is essential and appropriate for the treatment of the patient's condition.
When a patient seeks treatment, healthcare professionals use International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes to document and communicate the diagnosis. For instance, ICD codes guide clinicians in ordering appropriate laboratory tests and treatments for the suspected cause of an illness. These codes are also vital for medical coders to assign the correct procedures, and for medical billers to process insurance claims. Epidemiologists utilize ICD codes as well to track morbidity and mortality statistics, which helps in understanding and controlling disease outbreaks.
Two locations where one would likely find an ICD code include medical laboratories, where tests are performed to confirm a diagnosis, and health-care management systems, which use the codes to verify that all treatments and laboratory work are suitable for the diagnosed virus or condition.