Diagnostic Coding (ICD Part 2) & CPT Introduction
Continue developing ICD-10-CM skills and begin learning Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding for outpatient procedures.
📘 Reading Lesson
Lesson Notes
Read through the key concepts before you try the challenge.
ICD-10-CM: Code Structure Review
ICD-10-CM codes can be 3–7 characters long. The first three characters identify the category of disease. Additional characters add specificity — laterality, encounter type, sequela, and more.
- Characters 1–3: Category (e.g., S52 = Fracture of forearm)
- Character 4: Etiology, anatomic site, or severity
- Characters 5–6: Further specificity
- Character 7: Extension (A = initial, D = subsequent, S = sequela)
Introduction to CPT Coding
CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes are five-digit numeric codes maintained by the American Medical Association (AMA). They describe the medical, surgical, and diagnostic services performed during an encounter.
- Evaluation & Management (E/M): 99202–99215
- Surgery codes: 10000–69999
- Radiology: 70000–79999
- Pathology & Laboratory: 80000–89999
- Medicine: 90000–99199
Challenge
Apply what you've learned in this lesson.