Some of you have asked for a step by step instruction on how to establish an ICD-10 code. Here are 3 typical examples on how to find a code.

Example 1:

1. Identify the main term or condition in the diagnostic statement. The main term is the key word that will be used to locate the correct diagnostic code. The main term should be the term that describes the condition or disease process that is occurring. Underline the main term in the diagnostic statement.
a. Facial Pain
2. Look up the main term in the alphabetic index
a. Pain
3. If necessary check for any indented terms under the main term
a. Face: R51
i. Atypical: G50.1 (since the statement does not state Atypical we cannot use this code)
4. Go to the numeric index and see if the code matches th...