Medical Coding Books FAQs

• CPT® – Current Procedural Terminology
• ICD-9-CM – International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision, Clinical Modification.
• HCPCS Level II – Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System
• ICD-10-CM – International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision, Clinical Modification
• ICD-10-PCS – International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision, Procedure Coding System

CPT® codes are used to describe the procedure or treatment the patient actually received. and ICD-10 codes are the diagnostic codes and describe the patient’s medical condition or symptoms. HCPCS Level II are used to identify products, supplies, and services such as ambulance services and durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) when used outside a physician's office.

Learn more about the different code sets.

CPT®, HCPCS Level II, and ICD-10 coding books are used in physicians’ offices, facilities, and payer organizations to perform accurate coding.

The CPT®, and HCPCS Level II code books are universal for both physicians and hospital organizations. The ICD-10 book you use (CM or PCS) is chosen based on the type of organization where you work or plan to work.

Professionals working for a physician office or free-standing or facility-affiliated outpatient facility will only need the ICD-10-CM code book to document diagnoses. Inpatient facilities need both the ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS books. The CM is used to document diagnoses that will be used to determine the patient’s diagnostic related grouping (DRG); the PCS book is used to document procedures performed in hospitals.

Many professionals add the Procedural Coding Expert book to their set of core books. This book contains the official AMA CPT® codes and descriptions, CMS’ rules and guidelines, Relative Value Units (RVUs), HCC codes, and other valuable features, but excludes the AMA’s rules and guidelines. The Procedural Coding Expert book is a great supplement to your AMA CPT® book.

Every October 1, the upcoming year's ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS code books are implemented for the following 12 months. All other codebooks such as CPT^® and HCPCS Level II are implemented in the healthcare industry every January 1.

View a full list of allowed reference materials for all AAPC exams.

Since the code sets for each coding book are updated every year, it's essential for coders to have the current year’s books to ensure accurate performance. Reporting wrong codes can lead to denied claim submissions and substantial penalization. It's clearly very important to get an education on the annual code set updates and to obtain new code books every year.

All AAPC exams are based on the current calendar year's code sets, so we strongly suggest you use the current year's books. The previous calendar year’s books may be used on an exam, but you would be at obvious disadvantage doing so. The upcoming year's books are not allowed for exam use. The exams are updated every January for the new code sets.

In other words, all exams administered in 2019 are based on the 2019 code sets, and we strongly recommend using the 2019 code books. Code books from 2018 may be used on the 2019 exams, but doing so puts the success of your exam at risk. Code books from 2020 may not be used on 2019 exams.

The next year's code books typically become available for preorder in March or April of each year. The ICD-10 books ship in September, CPT^® ships in October, and the HCPCS Level II and Procedural Coding Expert ship in December.

Customers purchasing AAPC code books receive code updates and other important code information each month in our code update email newsletter.

We no longer include guidelines at the beginning of each chapter, because Official Guidelines come out after these books are sent to be printed. Now, you can find updates on our website on the Medical Coding Books Updates support page. This way, you always have access to the most current guidelines.

Tab dividers are included in our ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, HCPCS, Procedure Desk Reference (PDR), and Procedural Coding Expert (PCE).

The Procedure Desk Reference (PDR) is the only AAPC book printed in black and white. All other code books are printed in color.

ICD-10-CM codes can occasionally be used to report signs and symptoms. In the outpatient setting, signs and symptoms can be reported as the first listed diagnosis if a definite diagnosis is not established. Signs and symptoms can also be reported as secondary diagnoses if they are not part of the first listed condition.

It is much less common to report signs and symptoms as the principal diagnosis in the inpatient setting, but a few exceptions may apply. Refer to the Official Guidelines for specifics.

The International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) is a code set used to classify diagnoses in both the inpatient and outpatient setting.

The International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) is a coding system used to classify procedures performed in the inpatient setting.

Since medical code sets are updated annually, all AAPC certification exams are also updated annually (every January) for the new code sets.

Because certification exams are based on the current calendar year's code sets, it's essential for coders to reference the current year's code books to ensure optimal performance. We strongly suggest using the current year's books. You may use the previous calendar year's books during your certification exam, but doing so would put you at a disadvantage.

Note: The upcoming year's books are not allowed for exam use.

All AAPC exams require the ICD-10-CM medical code book

The codes are implemented each year on October 1.

For AAPC certification exams, you may use any ICD-10-CM code book you choose, though it's advisable to use one published in the same year as when you sit for your exam. View the full list of allowed reference materials for all AAPC exams.

• ICD-10-PCS Complete Code Set - August
• ICD-10-CM Complete Code Set - September
• AMA CPT Professional - October
• Procedural Coding Expert (PCE) - November
• HCPCS Level 2 - December

Preorders may be cancelled at any time prior to shipment. If your books have already shipped, please refer to our standard return policy, which states all returns must be submitted within 30 days of the shipment date. Call (800) 626-2633 to cancel or return your order.

Customers who purchase AAPC code books receive code updates and other important information in our monthly email newsletter.