Medical Coding Practice Test

How are categories represented in ICD-9-CM coding?

1. As five-digit codes

2. As two-digit codes

3. As alphanumeric codes

4. As three-digit codes

The correct answer is: As three-digit codes

Categories in ICD-9-CM coding are represented as three-digit codes. The first three digits of an ICD-9-CM code represent a category or group of related conditions. These three-digit codes provide a broad classification for a specific disease or condition. Additional digits after the decimal point may be used to provide more specific information about the condition, but the main category is typically represented by the first three digits. Option A is incorrect because ICD-9-CM uses three-digit codes for categories, not five-digit codes. Option B is incorrect as categories are not represented by two-digit codes in ICD-9-CM. Option C is incorrect because while ICD-9-CM codes are alphanumeric, the categories are primarily represented by the first three digits, which are numerical.