United States National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health

FAQ: Medical Codes

Question: Where can I find medical codes, such as the ICD, CPT or HCUP?

Answer:
You can find medical codes in the:

International Classification of Diseases (ICD)

The ICD classifies diseases recorded on many types of health and vital records, including death certificates and hospital records.

Information about the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) is available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/otheract/icd9/abticd9.htm

An online version of the ICD-10 of the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) is available from the World Health Organization at http://www.who.int/classifications/apps/icd/icd10online/. To order the ICD-10, visit http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/dvs/icd10des.htm

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Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Codes

CPT codes are for services provided by doctors and other healthcare services.

CPT - Fourth Edition, as contained in CPT Code/Relative Value Search, is available at
https://catalog.ama-assn.org/Catalog/cpt/cpt_search.jsp?checkXwho=done

CPT Codes Mapped to CVX (Vaccines Administered) Codes are available at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/iis/stds/cpt.htm

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Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR)

The DSM-IV-TR is provides criteria for diagnosing psychiatric diseases.

It is published by the American Psychiatric Association, and is available at http://www.psychiatryonline.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=1

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The Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature (CDT)

The CDT, produced by the American Dental Association, is the official coding used by dentists.

Information about the CDT is available at http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/topics/cdt/index.asp

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Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs)

DRGs are a classification system that groups patients according to diagnosis, type of treatment, age, and other relevant criteria. Under the prospective payment system, hospitals are paid a set fee for treating patients in a single DRG category, regardless of the actual cost of care for the individual. DRGs were originally developed for Medicare (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid).

DRGs are available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/AcuteInpatientPPS/FFD/list.asp#TopOfPage

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The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUPNet)

HCUPNet contains health statistics and information on hospital inpatient and emergency department visits.

HCUP is produced by the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

Instructions are available at http://hcup.ahrq.gov/HCUPnet.asp

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Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS)

HCPCS is divided into two subsystems: Level I and Level II.

Level I contains the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT). Level II identifies products, supplies and services not included in the CPT codes. Examples include ambulance services, durable medical equipment, and supplies when used outside a doctor's office.

The HCPCS, is available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedHCPCSGenInfo/

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Unified Medical Language System (UMLS), National Library of Medicine

The UMLS links different names and views of the same concept and identifies useful relationships between them.

Source vocabularies (including codes) and information about the UMLS is available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/

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Last reviewed: 04 May 2009
Last updated: 04 May 2009
First published: 05 June 2008
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