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Diagnostic codes simplify the billing process between doctors and health insurers, with each disease having a code. Doctors use these codes to receive reimbursement for tests related to a specific medical condition. ICD9 and ICD10 are the two versions of the codes, with ICD10 being the updated version. Understanding diagnostic codes can help patients understand their medical conditions and prevent medical identity theft.
Diagnostic codes are a method of communication between doctors and health insurers. Every disease has a diagnostic code. The doctor gives the insurer the code to receive the reimbursement.
Health insurance companies will only reimburse certain tests for a particular medical condition. For example, a doctor would not be reimbursed for a chest x-ray in a patient who had a broken leg. Using a diagnostic code simplifies the billing and reimbursement process.
Diagnostic codes are cataloged as ICD9 or ICD10. ICD stands for International Classification of Diseases and the numbers nine or ten make it clear which version of the ICD code is being used. Many doctors’ offices are still using ICD9, but they will all eventually switch to ICD10.
ICD diagnostic codes are updated as more is learned about a disease. Code numbers are not randomly assigned; instead, similar diseases are grouped together. So, for example, if a particular medical disorder was previously considered a psychiatric condition, but we now know it to be a neurological condition, the condition would need to be reclassified.
There are a number of reasons you might want to learn more about diagnostic codes. Reviewing the documents sent by your health insurance provider can give you access to the codes your doctor has entered in your record. This official classification can answer questions you may have about an undiagnosed medical condition. By understanding the codes, you will learn what your doctor is looking for.
Even if you aren’t experiencing any health conditions, it makes sense to review the documents sent to you by your health insurance provider. If the diagnostic codes aren’t related to any tests or conditions you’re suffering from, you could be a victim of medical identity theft. In a world where more and more people are without health insurance, medical identity theft is a growing problem.
While medical identity theft may seem like a smaller problem than traditional identity theft, it can have just as big an impact on your credit. One of the main reasons people file for bankruptcy is because of outstanding medical bills. If someone uses your identity to get medical care, you can quickly find yourself under a mountain of bills, no matter how good your insurance plan is.
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