General Surgery Coding Alert

Question: I’ve seen so much information about transitioning to ICD-10, but could you summarize the main differences between ICD-9 and ICD-10 to help me see the big picture?

Texas Subscriber

Answer: There are six basic differences ICD-9 and ICD-10. Keep these in mind, and your switch to ICD-10 won’t be so confusing:

1. ICD-10 codes are alpha numeric and up to seven characters in length; ICD-9 codes are only three to five characters

2. ICD-10 has 21 chapters; ICD-9 has 17

3. ICD-9’s V and E codes are incorporated into the main classification in ICD-10

4. ICD-10 will classify injuries first by specific site and then by type of injury. ICD-9 classifies injuries by type

5. ICD-10 includes full code titles for all codes, so it is not necessary to reference back to common fourth and fifth digit categories

6. Unlike ICD-9, ICD-10 has combination codes for conditions and common symptoms or manifestations, for example N30.01 (Acute cystitis with hematuria).