As a medical coder, you will assign specific numeric codes to medical services, procedures and diagnoses. Allied’s Medical Coding teaches you how to apply the right code in the right place and streamline the medical billing process. From knowledge of ICD-9-CM and CPT codes to reimbursement issues, you will be ready to play an important part in a medical office. Read on for news, tips and course information regwarding your medical coding career!

Funny Spin on ICD-10 Codes

February 9, 2012

With the medical coding system moving from a mere 18,000 codes (ICD-9) to one that encompasses 140,000 codes (ICD-10, which seems more like ICD-9 x 10,000!) in October 2013, there is a considerable amount of detail added to what physicians and medical facilities will be able to bill for. People in the coding profession are relieving their stress from the transition by poking fun at the system, and the result is seriously funny! Here’s a taste of some very real codes…

R46.1 is “bizarre personal appearance”
R46.0 is “very low level of personal hygiene”
W22.02XA, “walked into lamppost, initial encounter
W22.02XD, “walked into lamppost, subsequent encounter”
V91.07XA, “burn due to water-skis on fire”

… and a few that are made-up.
C193.44. “Yelled fire when he fell into the chocolate.”
R97.01 “Delusional, Severe. Thinks insurance company will cover her procedure.”

Additionally, there are 312 animal codes, including “being bitten by turtle” and “struck by turtle.” Codes for a duck, macaw, parrot and even a turkey are part of the package. Unbelievable? In some ways the news codes are, especially when you see that one code for suturing an artery will become 195 codes. But in the scheme of things, we have humor to lighten the code load.

Image by Peter Alfred Hess

Labels: ICD-10 codes, medical codes, Medical Coding