About ICD-10-CM Index
ICD-10-CM has 4 indexes in addition to the tabular listing. Each of these indexes contains the same codes as the tabular list – only the order of codes differs. The tabular listing organizes codes into chapters and sections. The indexes order the codes based on their definitions. The ICD-10-CM indexes are:
- Index to Disease and Injuries
- External Cause of Injuries Index
- Table of Neoplasms (ICD-10-CM Chapter 2)
- Table of Drugs and Chemicals
Index to Diseases and Injuries
The primary ICD-10-CM index provides a simple way to find ICD codes based on key words. It is difficult, especially for new coders, to know exactly what chapter and section a code is in. So, the index lets you find codes without knowing about the tabular structure of the codes.
The Index is sometimes the easiest way to find a code – especially if you do not have access to a computer. It is often easier to use ICD.Codes PowerSearch™ at the top of this site to find codes.
External Causes of Injuries Index
One of the biggest changes in ICD-10-CM is that addition of External Cause codes. Codes now use ICD-10-CM codes to capture information about the circumstances surrounding the aliment that landed the patience in the hospital.
To find these “External Cause” codes, you use the External Cause of Injuries Index. This index is structured that same as the standard ICD-10-CM index.
In addition, you can also use our ICD code PowerSearch™ to find these External Cause codes.
Index of Neoplasms
The Index of Neoplasms gives the code numbers for neoplasms by anatomical site. For each site there are six possible code numbers according to whether the neoplasm in question is malignant, benign, in situ, of uncertain behavior, or of unspecified nature. The description of the neoplasm will often indicate which of the six columns is appropriate; e.g., malignant melanoma of skin, benign fibroadenoma of breast, carcinoma in situ of cervix uteri.
Where such descriptors are not present, the remainder of the Index should be consulted where guidance is given to the appropriate column for each morphological (histological) variety listed; e.g., Mesonephroma-see Neoplasm, malignant; Embryoma-see also Neoplasm, uncertain behavior; Disease, Bowen’s-see Neoplasm, skin, in situ. However, the guidance in the Index can be overridden if one of the descriptors mentioned above is present; e.g., malignant adenoma of colon is coded to C18.9 and not to D12.6 as the adjective "malignant" overrides the Index entry "Adenoma-see also Neoplasm, benign."
Codes listed with a dash -, following the code have a required 5th character for laterality. The tabular list must be reviewed for the complete code.
For neoplasms of connective tissue (blood vessel, bursa, fascia, ligament, muscle, peripheral nerves, sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves and ganglia, synovia, tendon, etc.) or of morphological types that indicate connective tissue, code according to the list under "Neoplasm, connective tissue". For sites that do not appear in this list, code to neoplasm of that site; e.g., liposarcoma, shoulder, leiomyosarcoma, stomach, neurofibroma, chest wall. Morphological types that indicate connective tissue appear in their proper place in the alphabetic index with the instruction "see Neoplasm, connective tissue ...."
Table of Drugs and Chemicals
Index of all ICD-10-CM codes related to illnesses arising from contact with different drugs or chemicals. All codes are ordered alphanumerically by the drug or chemical in question. Once you identify the proper drug, there is a table listing which code to use in different circumstances. The circumstances surrounding drug-related codes that affect the code used are:
- Poisoning, Accidental
- Poisoning, Intentional (self-harm)
- Poisoning, Assault
- Poisoning, Undetermined
- Adverse effect or reaction to drug
- Under-dosing