ABSTRACT
This chapter will elaborate on the two indices used in the medical coding industry in the USA. Specifically, we will look at samples from the two indices pertaining to the delivery of behavioral health services and give explanations about their utilization. Keep in mind that the one, authoritative source for ICD series codes in the USA is the Tabular Index, which is found at the CDC’s website in the ICD-10-CM section. Remember also that we are recommending that behavioral health clinicians utilize the Tabular Index even though the correct coding procedure is to use the Alphabetic Index first then the Tabular Index. We will spend the most time on the Tabular Index in this chapter.
