Medical Coding Practice Test

In ICD-9-CM, what do main terms in the Alphabetic Index primarily aid in locating?

1. Anatomic descriptions

2. Disease conditions

3. Treatment procedures

4. External causes of injury

The correct answer is: Disease conditions

Main terms in the Alphabetic Index in ICD-9-CM primarily aid in locating disease conditions. The Alphabetic Index is structured to help healthcare professionals find the specific diagnosis codes that match a patient's condition or illness. By using main terms in the Alphabetic Index, coders can quickly navigate and locate the appropriate code for the patient’s specific disease. This aids in accurate coding and billing for medical services rendered. Therefore, the correct answer is B. While anatomic descriptions, treatment procedures, and external causes of injury can also be referenced in the Alphabetic Index, the primary focus and main purpose of the index is to assist in locating disease conditions for accurate coding and classification.