Question

The code that's currently in use in the United States is ICD-9-CM.

Select one:
a) True
b) False

Answer 1

The statement is false; the ICD-9-CM code has been replaced by ICD-10-CM since October 1, 2015. ICD codes are utilized throughout healthcare for diagnostics, treatment, billing, and statistics, commonly appearing on laboratory test orders and death certificates.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that the ICD-9-CM code is currently in use in the United States is false. The current coding system in use as of the knowledge cutoff in 2023 is the ICD-10-CM (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification). The transition from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM took place on October 1, 2015, to allow for more accurate and detailed coding.

ICD codes are critical for various aspects of healthcare, including diagnostics, treatment, billing, and epidemiology. For instance, a patient receiving treatment for a viral infection might have the ICD code used by clinicians to order specific laboratory tests and prescribe appropriate treatments. These codes also facilitate medical coders in assigning correct procedure codes and medical billers to process insurance claims efficiently. Additionally, vital-records keepers and epidemiologists rely on ICD codes for mortality and morbidity statistics.

Two locations where one would likely find an ICD code include on medical laboratory test orders and on death certificates maintained by vital-records keepers.