• Can't find a code? - Tips and resources for locating hard to find codes.
• Tips on InstaCode's ICD-9 Software - Tips and suggestions for getting the most out of InstaCode's Software.

1. Try using a thesaurus search. If you think something should be added to the thesaurus, let us know. Also, look under any other possible name (i.e. a knee is also a patella.)

2. Call your local hospital, ask for Medical Records and then ask for the person who does their Diagnosis coding. They usually have a specialist there willing to help.

3. This last option takes longer, but it's a last resort. The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) suggests that coding questions be submitted to:

They they don't take phone or fax inquiries and have the following written requirements:

1. Only 5 questions per letter.
2. Send any documentation they'll need - i.e. history and physical examinations, discharge summaries, typed physician notes or anything of the like. Of course, for privacy purposes, you'll need to remove all patient, hospital, lab and physician identifiers (names, numbers, etc.)

• Ignore all punctuation marks EXCEPT the apostrophe as in Parkinson's disease. For example, if you are trying to find Protein-Calorie Malnutrition, leave out the hyphen between protein and calorie or you won't find anything at all.

• Some diseases have their origins from languages other than English. Hence, there are times that a particular letter has an accent (funny looking character.) Rather than a lesson on typing each specific haracter, it is much easier to remember to use the Word Wheel.

  For example, if you were trying to find Kümmell's disease, type Kum and then look at the word wheel. Look at the word under the highlighted word. There it is! Double click on Kümmell's in the word wheel and voilà! That tricky word has just been queried.

• For Windows™ users: To toggle back and forth between windows applications (i.e. InstaCode and your billing program) press ALT+TAB. You can keep pressing TAB if you have multiple applications open at the same time. When you let go of the ALT key, you are in the new application.

• Shortcut:

  Use the Ctrl+Insert key combination to fill in the query for box for you. For example, if you were to do a query on Rhinopharyngitis, in the index section it says (see also Nasopharyngitis). To look at Nasopharyngitis, do the following:

  1. Highlight that word with the mouse or the arrow keys.
  2. Press Ctrl+Insert.
  3. Press F2 or click on the query button.
  4. Press Ctrl+V
  5. Ta-da! You've just queried the word Nasopharyngitis without having to type it all out.

  *Special Note: The 1998 version of InstaCode™ will have jumps (links) for all the "see" and "see also" references in the index just like the codes!

• Bookmarks:
  

  For those of you wondering about that Bookmark button on the Toolbelt, it is simply a way of marking your place in InstaCode, just as you would in a book. There are detailed instructions in the Help infobase if you click on Help and then Contents (do a query on bookmarks creat*).

  To add a Bookmark:

  1. Put the cursor where you want the bookmark.

  2. Select Customize then Bookmark (or Ctrl+M)

  3. Type a name for the bookmark.

  4. Choose OK.

  To turn to a Bookmark:

  1. Click on the Bookmark icon on the Toolbelt.  (or press Ctrl+M or Selct Customize then Bookmark)
  2. Double-click on the bookmark you with to turn to. (or click once then click on "OK")
  
  

InstaCode's Quick & Easy Quarterly Newsletter is published for the exclusive use of InstaCode Institute friends and clients. Any decisions based upon this information are the sole responsibility of the reader and users.

© Copyright 1997, InstaCode Institute, LC - All rights reserved.