How to Link Diagnosis Codes

Medical diagnosis codes, or ICD9, are linked with treatment codes, or CPT, by insurance companies to determine payment rates. Insurance companies occasionally deny payment for a procedure if it is determined that the procedure code does not link appropriately with the diagnostic code. Medical diagnosis codes are updated every year and are available on the Internet. Treatment codes are updated on an ongoing basis. An Internet database of CPT codes can be searched by code or key word. Medical codes are linked via the Health Care Financing Administration, or HCFA, claim form.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Internet connection

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Instructions

• 1

  Access the ICD9 database (see Resources).

• 2

  Click the links for each sub-heading for the ICD9 code until the diagnosis is reached. Make sure that the diagnosis associated with the code matches the diagnosis on the chart. If the code is incorrect, it must be changed to the correct code for the diagnosis.

• 3

  Access the CPT database (see Resources).

• 4

  Enter the location information and CPT code in the form and click "Search." Confirm the procedural information with the information on the chart. If the information does not match, correct the code to ensure that no coding errors exist when filling in the HCFA claim form.

• 5

  Enter the the patient's information and the insured's information. The "insured" is the person whose name is on the insurance card. If the patient is using his own insurance, the same information will be used for "patient" and "insured."

• 6

  Enter the CPT code under "Procedures, Services or Supplies." Enter the date of the procedure on the same line. If the procedure is performed more than once, it must be listed each time that it was performed.

• 7

  Enter the ICD9 code on the same line as the procedure associated with the diagnosis. When multiple procedures are performed for the same diagnosis, the ICD9 code may appear on several lines.