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What purpose do braces { } serve in ICD-9-CM coding?

  1. To denote a range of values

  2. To identify abbreviations

  3. To connect related terms

  4. To mark exclusions

The correct answer is: To connect related terms

Braces { } in ICD-9-CM coding are used to connect related terms. They are typically used to group together terms that are closely related in the code book. This grouping helps to clarify the relationship between different terms and ensure accurate coding. In contrast, brackets [ ] are used to denote a range of values, parentheses ( ) are used to identify abbreviations, and a symbol like a minus sign or the word "excludes" is used to mark exclusions in ICD-9-CM coding.