Medical Coding: ICD-10-PCS and ICD-10-CM Coding Systems

Running head: MEDICAL CODING 1
Medical Coding
Name
Institution

MEDICAL CODING 2
Medical Coding
Part #1
Explain the purpose and function of the ICD-10-PCS coding system, include reasons for
the transition from ICD-9 Vol. 3.
In essence, ICD-10 Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) is considered as an
international system of medical classification often used for procedural coding system. This
system was designed to replace Volume 3 of ICD-9-CM. Consequently, this system is meant to
assign codes to procedures that are associated with hospital utilization in various countries such
as the United State (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), 2014). Additionally,
ICD-10-PCS is used to support a collection of data, payment as well as an electronic health
record. The main reason for the transitioning from ICD-9 Vol. 3 to ICD-10-PCS was the fact that
the later could accommodate new diagnosis as well as procedure codes for future clinical
protocols. Primarily, this could improve the overall quality measurements, patient’s safety as
well as medical processes outcomes.
Which of the four major goals used for the development of ICD-10-PCS do you think is the
most valuable to inpatient coders? Explain your answer.
Ideally, the main goals for the development of the ICD-10-PCS were to improve the
overall accuracy as well as the efficiency of procedure coding, to replace the ICD-9-CM coding
system with a rather more logical system. Additionally, it makes sure that communication with
physicians is improved through developing a code system which is aligned more with the overall
clinical aspects surrounding a variety of procedures, and give coders a chance to create accurate
codes with little efforts involves (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), 2014).
However, the most valuable goals are to make sure that communication with physicians are

MEDICAL CODING 3
improved through developing a code system which is aligned more with the overall clinical
aspects surrounding a variety of procedures because it is ensured that patients are accorded
quality health care system.
Do you think inpatient coders will need to have a more in-depth understanding of anatomy
and medical terminology to use the ICD-10-PCS coding system? Why or why not.
Primarily, coders are not supposed to have a rather in-depth knowledge of anatomy as
well as medical terminology because the ICD-10-PCS system is anatomically detailed regarding
clinical data; therefore, reducing coder’s anxiety as it captures procedural description in detail
(Subotin & Davis, 2014).
Part #2
Explain the purpose for using the ICD-10-CM in the United States?
The main purpose of the ICD-10-CM system is used by the healthcare providers as well
as physicians to classify while coding all the necessary diagnoses, symptoms and procedures that
are recorded in conjunction with hospital care system in the United States.
How is the ICD-10 coding system used differently in other countries?
While this system has been embraced in more than 100 countries around the world, the
applicability of this system is different as other countries do not code further than the 5th
character. Consequently, no other country can get close to the 69,000 codes that are currently
used in the United States (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), 2014).
Which designated purposes for use in the US do you think are the most valuable? Explain
your answer.
One of the most valuable purposes of the ICD-10 in the US is to track virtually all
epidemiological trends in the health care system. This is because the coders, physicians, and the