Determining the ICD-10-PCS Code
Coding Example 1
Procedure: Excision of right lower arm and wrist tendon, open approach
Click the Index tab to find the first 3 values of the code. Then, click the Table 0LB tab to see the value choices for characters 4-7 of the code. Click the Character Section Table tab to see the correct value for each character of the code. Last, click the Explanation tab for a full description of each character in the code.
Step 1: Locate the main term entry Excision in the Index for the type of procedure. The subterms Tendon, Lower Arm and Wrist, Left, and Right direct the user to Table 0LB to complete the code.
ExcisionTendonLower Arm and WristLeft 0LB6
Right 0LB5
Step 2: Locate Table 0LB, which shows the possible value choices for the last 4 characters of the code for this procedure. You need all 7 characters to complete the code.
| Body Part | Approach | Device | Qualifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 Head and Neck Tendon 1 Shoulder Tendon, Right 2 Shoulder Tendon, Left 3 Upper Arm Tendon, Right 4 Upper Arm Tendon, Left 5 Lower Arm and Wrist Tendon, Right 6 Lower Arm and Wrist Tendon, Left 7 Hand Tendon, Right 8 Hand Tendon, Left 9 Trunk Tendon, Right B Trunk Tendon, Left C Thorax Tendon, Right D Thorax Tendon, Left F Abdomen Tendon, Right G Abdomen Tendon, Left H Perineum Tendon J Hip Tendon, Right K Hip Tendon, Left L Upper Leg Tendon, Right M Upper Leg Tendon, Left N Lower Leg Tendon, Right P Lower Leg Tendon, Left Q Knee Tendon, Right R Knee Tendon, Left S Ankle Tendon, Right T Ankle Tendon, Left V Foot Tendon, Right W Foot Tendon, Left | 0 Open 3 Percutaneous 4 Percutaneous Endoscopic | Z No Device | X Diagnostic Z No Qualifier |
This table shows the correct value for each character of the code. Hover your mouse over each column to see how we selected each value.
| Character 1 Section | Character 2 Body System | Character 3 Root Operation | Character 4 Body Part | Character 5 Approach | Character 6 Device | Character 7 Qualifier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Surgical | Tendons | Excision | Lower arm and wrist tendon, right | Open | No Device | No Qualifier |
| 0 | L | B | 5 | 0 | Z | Z |
Code Assignment for this Procedure: 0LB50ZZ
Code Assignment for this Procedure: 0LB50ZZ
Character 1: Section
The first character identifies the broad procedure category or section where the code is found. In this example, 0 is the Medical and Surgical section in the first character.
Character 2: Body system
The second character identifies the body system. Body system refers to the general physiological system or anatomical region where the health care provider performed the procedure. Examples of body systems include Tendons, Lower Arteries, and Central Nervous System and Cranial Nerves. In this example, L is the body system Tendons in the second character.
Character 3: Root operation
The third character identifies the root operation or objective of the procedure. Examples of root operations are Excision, Bypass, and Drainage. In this example, B is the root operation Excision in the third character.
Character 4: Body part
The fourth character identifies the body part or specific anatomical site where the health care provider performed the procedure.The body system, which is the second character, provides only a general idea of the procedure site. The body part and body system values together give a precise description of the procedure site. Examples of body parts are Lower Arm and Wrist, Right; Kidney; and Tonsils. In this example, the body part value 5 is Lower Arm and Wrist Tendon, Right, in the fourth character. When L, Tendons, appears in the second character and 5, Lower Am and Wrist Tendon, Right, appears in the fourth character, they're right lower arm and wrist tendon.
Character 5: Approach
The fifth character identifies the approach or technique the health care provider used to reach the procedure site. The Medical and Surgical section includes 8 values to define the approach. Examples of approaches include open and percutaneous endoscopic. In this example, 0 is Open approach in the fifth character.
Character 6: Device
The sixth character identifies the device. Some procedures need a device left in place at the end of the procedure. Device values fall into these 4 basic categories:
- Grafts and Prostheses
- Implants
- Simple or Mechanical Appliances
- Electronic Appliances
In this example, the value Z is No Device in the sixth character.
Character 7: Qualifier
The seventh character identifies a qualifier, which specifies an added attribute of the procedure, if applicable. Examples of qualifiers include diagnostic and stereotactic. Qualifier choices vary depending on the previous values chosen. In this example, Z is No Qualifier in the seventh character.