3. There have been a number of codes in the ICD-9-CM code books "modified" to
meet the needs of the services. Numeric characters have been added at the seventh-
digit level of a coding field. These codes are referred to as DOD Code Extenders.
4. The DOD Code Extenders are found in Appendix A of the Triservice Disease and
Procedure Coding Guidelines ICD-9-CM . To ensure that these codes are used when
appropriate, all military MTF users of ICD-9-CM code books are responsible for posting
all DOD Code Extenders to their books.
APPLICATION
1. Combination Codes. Two or more conditions or a specific disease condition with
an associated secondary process or complication is frequently assigned one code, a
combination code.
EXAMPLE:
DIAGNOSIS: Acute appendicitis with perforation and peritonitis.
54.
2. DOD Code Extenders. A number of codes in ICD-9-CM have been modified to
meet the needs of the Uniformed Services.
EXAMPLE:
DIAGNOSIS: Lyme Disease
88.81
PRINCIPLE IV. V CODES
1. The purpose of the V codes is to identify encounters with the health care settings for
reasons other than an illness or injury classified to categories 1 -999. The majority of
the V codes are oriented toward ambulatory care. Although certain categories of V
codes will be used quite frequently for inpatient care, coders should exercise care
regarding the extent to which these codes are used on inpatient records.
2. The V code is primarily for use as a supplemental code with the primary co de being
the current condition which requires hospitalization. However, it may be used as a solo
code for inpatients without disease or current injury; for example, a patient who is
admitted for surgical or orthopedic aftercare, as an organ or tissue donor, newborn, etc.
In these cases, the V code will be the principal diagnosis.
3. The diagnostic statements requiring a V code appear in a variety of terms. The
Alphabetic Index does not provide an exhaustive list of terms, but it does provide some
key works under which the appropriate V code may be found. Some of the key words
are: Admission, Examination, History, Observation, Problem, Status, etc.
MD0753
A-7