ICD-9 Classification System: Understanding Disease Coding

ICD-9 is a classification system used by medical professionals and institutions. ICD is an abbreviation for international classification of diseases. The number "9" after ICD represents the specific version of ICD code.

Function

• The classification system is organized by type of disease or illness. For example, mental and behavioral disorders are in the range of 290 to 319. Within each code there are additional codes for more specific disorders so that accurate diagnoses can be documented.

Benefits

• The benefit of the classification system is that health problems can be accurately recorded. This ensures that medical billing is correct, which is important to both the patient and health-care providers.