Medical Coding Practice Test

What information is enclosed by slanted square brackets in ICD-9-CM coding?

1. Additional code for clarity

2. Manifestation of the condition

3. Instructions for additional coding

4. Secondary coding sequences

The correct answer is: Manifestation of the condition

In ICD-9-CM coding, information enclosed by slanted square brackets represents the manifestation of the condition. This means that the information in the brackets describes a symptom or a secondary medical issue that arises as a result of the main condition being coded. It is crucial to accurately identify and include manifestation codes to ensure comprehensive and precise coding of the medical condition. This helps in providing a more detailed picture of the patient's diagnosis and aids in appropriate treatment and reimbursement processes. The other options are incorrect because: A. Additional codes for clarity are typically enclosed in parentheses, not slanted square brackets, in ICD-9-CM coding. C. Instructions for additional coding are usually found in the Tabular List rather than enclosed by slanted square brackets. D. Secondary coding sequences are not typically enclosed by slanted square brackets in ICD-9-CM coding; they are usually entered in a specific order following the primary diagnosis code.