Name of Manual - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Blue Cross Blue and Shield of Minnesota Provider Policy and Procedure Manual (07/12/12)
Coding Policies and Guidelines (Coding)
ICD-9-CM ICD-9-CM is a statistical classification system that arranges
diseases, injuries and procedures into groups. Most ICD-9-CM are
numeric and consist of three-, four- or five-digit numbers and a
description. The coding structure is revised approximately every
10 years by the World Health Organization. Annual updates,
effective October 1, are published by NCVHS and CMS.
Code Changes (not all publishers will include this information)
New ICD-9-CM codes will be preceded by a bullet () symbol.
Revised ICD-9-CM codes will be preceded by a triangle ()
symbol.
Format
ICD-9-CM consists of three volumes:
Volume I - The Tabular List
Volume I is a numeric listing of diagnosis codes and descriptions
consisting of seventeen chapters that classify diseases and injuries.
In addition, two sections of supplementary codes (V and E codes)
are included.
Most diagnosis codes are four- or five-digit codes. The base ICD-
9-CM diagnosis code consists of three digits, which may be further
defined or classified by a fourth or fifth digit following a dot (this
divides and identifies the base diagnosis). For example: 738.1 is
the diagnosis “Other acquired deformity of head.” “Zygomatic
hyperplasia” is coded as “738.11”. The addition of “1” specifically
defines the acquired deformity. Only valid diagnoses, submitted to
their full specificity, are accepted. If a fourth or fifth digit applies
to a specific diagnosis code, it must be submitted.
Volume 2 - The Alphabetical Index
Consists of an alphabetic list of terms and codes.
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