ICD-10-CM codes in the Tabular List of Diseases start with which character?

The ICD-10-CM coding system organizes diseases and health conditions in a structured format, allowing for efficient classification and retrieval of health data. The codes are alphanumeric and begin with a letter that provides a broad category of the condition.

The correct answer starts with the character "A." This character is used for certain infectious and parasitic diseases, which fall under one of the primary sections of the ICD-10-CM. The codes beginning with this letter signify a specific range of conditions, facilitating easier navigation through the coding system.

In addition, while other characters like "B," "C," and "D" are also used in the ICD-10-CM coding system, they correspond to different categories of diseases. "B" codes pertain to other infectious diseases, "C" codes are used to classify neoplasms, and "D" codes are related to disorders of the blood and blood-forming organs. Understanding the significance of the starting characters of the codes is crucial for accurate coding and classification in medical records and billing.