Determining the ICD-10-PCS Code
Coding Example 5
Procedure: Bypass coronary artery, one artery from right internal mammary, open approach
Click the Index tab to find the first 3 values of the code. Then, click the Table 021 tab to see the value choices for characters 4-7 of the code. Click the Character Section Table tab to see the 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 for Bypass in the Index for the type of procedure. The subterm One Artery directs the user to Table 021 to complete the code.
BypassArteryCoronaryOne Artery 0210
Step 2: Locate Table 021, which shows the possible value choices for the last 4 characters of the code. You need all 7 characters to complete the code.
| Body Part | Approach | Device | Qualifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 Coronary Artery, One Artery 1 Coronary Artery, Two Arteries 2 Coronary Artery, Three Arteries 3 Coronary Artery, Four or More Arteries | 0 Open | 8 Zooplastic Tissue 9 Autologous Venous Tissue A Autologous Arterial Tissue J Synthetic Substitute K Nonautologous Tissue Substitute | 3 Coronary Artery 8 Internal Mammary, Right 9 Internal Mammary, Left C Thoracic Artery F Abdominal Artery W Aorta |
| 0 Coronary Artery, One Artery 1 Coronary Artery, Two Arteries 2 Coronary Artery, Three Arteries 3 Coronary Artery, Four or More Arteries | 0 Open | Z No Device | 3 Coronary Artery 8 Internal Mammary, Right 9 Internal Mammary, Left C Thoracic Artery F Abdominal Artery |
| 0 Coronary Artery, One Artery 1 Coronary Artery, Two Arteries 2 Coronary Artery, Three Arteries 3 Coronary Artery, Four or More Arteries | 3 Percutaneous | 4 Intraluminal Device,
Drug-eluting D Intraluminal Device | 4 Coronary Vein |
| 0 Coronary Artery, One Artery 1 Coronary Artery, Two Arteries 2 Coronary Artery, Three Arteries 3 Coronary Artery, Four or More Arteries | 4 Percutaneous Endoscopic | 4 Intraluminal Device,
Drug-eluting D Intraluminal Device | 4 Coronary Vein |
| 0 Coronary Artery, One Artery 1 Coronary Artery, Two Arteries 2 Coronary Artery, Three Arteries 3 Coronary Artery, Four or More Arteries | 4 Percutaneous Endoscopic | 8 Zooplastic Tissue 9 Autologous Venous Tissue A Autologous Arterial Tissue J Synthetic Substitute K Nonautologous Tissue Substitute | 3 Coronary Artery 8 Internal Mammary, Right 9 Internal Mammary, Left C Thoracic Artery F Abdominal Artery W Aorta |
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 | Heart and Great Vessels | Bypass | Coronary Artery, One Artery | Open | No Device | Internal Mammary, Right |
| 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Z | 8 |
Code Assignment for this Procedure: 02100Z8
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, Central Nervous System, and Cranial Nerves. In this example, 2 is the body system Heart and Great Vessels 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, 1 is the root operation Bypass 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, gives 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 0 is Coronary Artery, One Artery in the fourth character. When 2, Heart and Great Vessels, appears in the second character and 0, Coronary Artery, One Artery appears in the fourth character, they're Heart and Great Vessels, Coronary Artery, One Artery.
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, 8 is Internal Mammary, Right in the seventh character.