Which coding system is used for classifying diseases and health-related issues?

The ICD Codes, or International Classification of Diseases codes, are specifically designed for the classification of diseases and health-related issues. This coding system provides a comprehensive framework for diagnosing various conditions, allowing healthcare providers to communicate effectively about diseases and concerns.

ICD codes are used globally to capture and categorize a wide array of health conditions, including diseases, signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, and external causes of injury or diseases. This coding system is crucial for various purposes including clinical settings for diagnosis, billing, and research, making it a standard reference for health data collection and analysis.

While other coding systems exist, such as CPT codes that primarily focus on procedures and services, or HCPCS codes which cover a broader range of healthcare services and products, the specific function of classifying diseases and health-related issues is the key role of ICD codes. Therefore, these codes are central to understanding and identifying health problems in a structured manner, making them indispensable in healthcare documentation and analytics.