Medical Coding Practice Test

Which type of diagnosis information do V codes primarily address in ICD-9-CM?

1. External factors affecting health

2. Genetic predispositions

3. Primary reason for patient's visit

4. Anatomic locations of conditions

The correct answer is: Primary reason for patient's visit

V codes in ICD-9-CM primarily address the primary reason for a patient's visit. These codes are used to indicate a variety of circumstances that may influence a patient's health status but are not considered illnesses or injuries. V codes can include factors such as personal history of certain conditions, family history of genetic or other diseases, and encounters for circumstances other than illness or injury. This information is important for healthcare providers to have a complete understanding of a patient's medical history and the context of the current visit. Therefore, option C is the correct answer as it accurately describes the type of diagnosis information that V codes primarily address in ICD-9-CM.