tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2003 Issue 10

Apply the 'Rule of Nines' With Better Than 99.99% Accuracy

To assign the required fourth and fifth digits for diagnosis category 948.xx, you must apply the so-called "rule of nines" set forth in ICD-9. The rule of nines divides the body into nine general areas and assigns a percentage value (of 9 or 18 percent) to each, as follows: 9 percent - head and neck 9 percent - upper back 9 percent - lower back  9 percent - upper front 9 percent - lower front  9 percent - left arm 9 percent - right arm 18 percent - left leg 18 percent - right leg  ...

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