Which coding system is used for inpatient hospital services?

The use of ICD-10-PCS (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Procedure Coding System) is critical for coding inpatient hospital services. This system is specifically designed to capture procedures performed during inpatient stays and is utilized extensively within hospitals and other healthcare facilities to ensure accurate representation of services rendered.

ICD-10-PCS includes a range of codes that detail various medical procedures and interventions, allowing healthcare providers to communicate the complexity of their services effectively, which is essential for billing and quality assessment.

The other coding systems mentioned serve different purposes. For instance, ICD-9-CM, although historically significant, is now considered outdated for inpatient services since the implementation of ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS. CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) is primarily utilized for outpatient professional services and procedures rather than inpatient hospital services. Similarly, HCPCS Level II codes are mainly used for non-physician services, such as healthcare equipment and supplies, rather than for inpatient hospital procedures. Thus, ICD-10-PCS is the appropriate choice for accurately coding inpatient hospital services.