ICD-10-CM vs ICD-10-PCS: A Coder's Guide
When to use ICD-10-CM vs ICD-10-PCS, how their formats differ, who reports each, and why outpatient claims never carry PCS codes. A coder's decision guide.
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All articles about medical-coding: 9 practical guides and tutorials from our free, privacy-first online tools.
ICD-10-CM Coding Conventions: 7th Character, Placeholder X, NEC/NOS
Master the ICD-10-CM coding conventions: the icd 10 7th character, the placeholder X, code first and use additional code sequencing, and NEC vs NOS.
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Excludes1 vs Excludes2 in ICD-10-CM: Notes Explained
Excludes1 vs Excludes2 in ICD-10-CM explained: what the excludes notes mean, when you can code both conditions, and worked examples with real ICD-10 codes.
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Billable vs Non-Billable ICD-10-CM Codes (Specificity Rules)
How to tell billable ICD-10 codes from non-billable header codes: full specificity, the terminal-code rule, 7th-character requirements, and why claims reject.
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How ICD-10-CM Chapters Are Organized (All 21 Chapters)
Learn how ICD-10-CM chapters are organized: all 21 chapters by body system, their code-letter ranges, coding guidelines, and how coders navigate them.
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How to Look Up an ICD-10-CM Code (Step by Step)
Learn how to look up an ICD-10 code the right way: start in the Alphabetic Index, verify in the Tabular List, and confirm a valid, billable 2026 code.
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ICD-10-CM Code Structure Explained: How a Code Is Built
A coder's deep dive into ICD 10 code structure: the 3-7 character format, category, decimal, seventh character, placeholder X, with real code examples.
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The Seven Characters of an ICD-10-PCS Code, Explained
What each of the seven ICD-10-PCS characters means, why a code only exists when they come from one table row, and how to spot the errors that get claims denied.
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Understanding ICD-10 Codes: Structure and Billing
A practical guide to ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes: how they are structured, what makes a code billable, how to read Excludes notes, and how to look codes up fast.
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