Online Medical Reference System (OMRS)

Disease Coding and Billing

The following books provide information about classification or coding systems for diseases, procedures, etc. Proper use of coding systems is necessary for billing and reimbursement. It is also fundamental to medical record keeping. Coding facilitates data collection and retrieval and compilation of statistical information. Instructions on the use of each system are included at the front of each book.

DSM-IV-TR - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

Published by the American Psychiatric Association, the major responsibility for the content of DSM-IV-TR rests with the Task Force on DSM-IV and members of the DSM-IV Work Groups. The first chapter of this manual (beginning on p.1) explains its use and also contains a good overview of coding and reporting procedures. The table of codes is on p.13-24. The rest of the book explains each disorder.

Ready Reference
WM
15
D536
2000

ICD-9-CM - International Classification of Diseases-Clinical Modification

The International Classification of Diseases has been published under different names since 1900. It is a statistical classification system that arranges diseases and injuries into groups according to established criteria. The codes are revised approximately every 10 years by the World Health Organization and annual updates are published by the Health Care Financing Administration. The ICD-9-CM is published by Practice Management Information Corporation and is virtually identical in content to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Publication. The Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 made diagnostic coding using ICD-9-CM mandatory for Medicare claims. Extensive introductory and instructional material is included in the front of the book.

Ready Reference
WB
15
I61
1998

ICD-9 Finder

This is available on the CDC website.  Click on the link below.  At the CDC Wonder page select Anonymous User, then select ICD-9 Finder.

Link to CDC Wonder page

ICD-10 - International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems

This book is published by the World Health Organization. Since 1948 WHO has revised the International Classification of Diseases approximately every ten years. This revision was published in 1992. Prior to being implemented in the U.S., it must pass through a variety of private and government committees, agencies, associations and organizations. Use of the ICD-10 has not yet been mandated in the U.S.

Ready Reference
WB
15
W927m
1992
v. 1-3

Medicare DRG Handbook

This book does not contain a coding system. It is included here as an example of how statistical information can be compiled from coding systems. For the fifty highest-volume DRGs (DRG=diagnosis-related group), information is given on the clinical characteristics, resource consumption, and charge levels of all Medicare patients discharged from U.S. acute-care hospitals. Please read the guidelines for use that begin on p.5 for a more complete explanation of the contents of this book.

Reference
WX
157
M489
1991

Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology: CPT

This book is published annually by the American Medical Association. It is a listing of descriptive terms and identifying codes for reporting medical services and procedures performed by physicians. The introduction includes instructions for use.

Ready Reference
W
15
C106
2003

Physicians' Fee & Coding Guide

Compiled annually by HealthCare Consultants of America, Inc. This book contains the following information arranged by CPT codes: fee ranges, Medicare Relative Values and National Average Allowances and a relative-value derived from an analysis of non-Medicare charges. Be sure to read the instructions for use at the beginning of the book.

Reference
W
58
P5788
2003

DRG Expert (formerly St. Anthony's DRG Guidebook)

The diagnosis-related group system is complex. This guidebook helps explain what procedures or diagnoses constitute each DRG. Instructions for use are at the beginning of the guidebook.

Reference
WX
39
S134
2004