Certified Inpatient Coding (CIC) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Question: 1 / 400

In ICD-10-PCS, what does the first character of a code represent?

The specific diagnosis being treated

The patient's demographic information

The section of the procedure being performed

The first character of an ICD-10-PCS code is critical because it identifies the section of the procedure being performed. This character is a letter that directly links to a specific medical specialty or type of procedure, such as medical, surgical, or rehabilitation. For example, the letter '0' indicates a medical procedure, while '1' signifies surgical procedures, and other letters designate other sections such as imaging or administration. Understanding this structure is essential for accurate coding, as it helps to categorize the procedure appropriately within the coding system. The specificity provided by the first character is foundational for ensuring that procedures are coded accurately, which is essential for documentation, billing, and data analysis in healthcare settings.

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The duration of the procedure

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