Coding Tip

ICD-10

The agreed South African Standard is to code to the highest level of specificity. ICD-10 codes can be 3, 4 or 5 characters in length.

Phase 3 of ICD-10 implementation (1 January 2006 – 30 June 2006) requires:

“All health care providers, including previously exempted disciplines e.g. Pharmacists, to submit claims with complete codes (4th and 5th level)”.

Example of complete codes:
  1. K30 – Dyspepsia, is a complete code at a 3-character level.
  2. J45.9 – Asthma, unspecified, is a complete code at a 4-character level.
  3. S72.00 - Fracture neck of femur, closed, is a complete code at a 5-character level.
Coding tip supplied by Medcode Training & Consulting