Rewind: ICD-10-CM by the Alphabet
I like to review the ICD-10-CM by the alphabet at least once per year as it provides an easy way to memorize ICD-10-CM codes or at least the chapters. Last year, I did this review in table form. This year, I thought that I would do the review using pictures.
Chapter 1 is Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (A-B), and the mnemonic is Advancing Bugs. 
Neoplasms are in Chapter 2 and include the beginning letters of C and D. The mnemonic is Cancer and Death.
Chapter 3 (Diseases of Blood and Blood Forming Organs and Certain Disorders Involving the Immune Mechanism) which includes the last portion of the D codes. The mnemonic is Dracula.
The Endocrine, Nutritional, and Metabolic Diseases are found in Chapter 4. These codes begin with E and the mnemonic is Endocrine.
Chapter 5 (Mental, Behavioral, and Neurodevelopmental Disorders) begins with the F. The mnemonic is Freud. 
The Diseases of the Nervous System are found in Chapter 6 and the codes begin with letter G. The mnemonic is “Gittery”. 
Chapter 7 includes the Diseases of the Eye begin with “H” and the mnemonic is Hyphema. 
The Diseases of the Ear and Mastoid Process have a mnemonic of Hearing. These “H” codes can be found in Chapter 8. 
Chapter 9 contains the Diseases of the Circulatory System. These codes begin with “I” and the mnemonic is Infarction. 
Chapter 10 contains Diseases of the Respiratory System. These codes begin with the letter “J”. The mnemonic is “Just Gasping”. 
Chapter 11 is halfway through ICD-10-CM and begin with “K”. The mnemonic for Chapter 11 representing Diseases of the Digestive System is “Knot in Stomach”. 
Chapter 12 codes begin with the letter “L” and have a mnemonic of “Lipoma”. The Diseases of Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue are represented with this picture: 
Chapter 13 includes Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and begin with letter “M”. The mnemonic is “Musculoskeletal”. 
The Diseases of the Genitourinary System begin with the letter “N” and can be found in Chapter 14. The mnemonic is “Nocturia”. 
Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Puerperium codes begin with “O” and can be found in Chapter 15. The mnemonic is “Obstetrics.
Chapter 16 (Certain Conditions Arising in Perinatal Period) codes begin with “P” and the mnemonic is Newborn. 
Congenital Malformations, Deformations, and Chromosomal Abnormalities are found in Chapter 17. The mnemonic is Quirky, and the codes begin with “Q”. 
Chapter 18 contains Signs, Symptoms, and Abnormal Clinical and Laboratory Findings. These codes begin with “R” and the mnemonic is “Relative Symptoms”. 
The Chapter 19 codes are “Simply Traumatic” that begin with letter “S and T”. The title of this chapter is Injuries and Poisonings. 
Chapter 20 codes represent the External Cause Codes and begin with letters “V, W, X, and Y”. The mnemonics for this chapter of Vehicle, Whoops, eXposure, and whY.
Chapter 21 (Factors Influencing Health Status) codes begin with letter “Z”. The Z codes have a mnemonic of Zero Problems. 
The newest chapter is Chapter 22 which is titled Codes for Special Purposes. These codes begin with the letter “U” and the mnemonic is “Unusual”…
While the mnemonics do not provide the entire code, it is a mechanism to know the approximate meaning for the ICD-10-CM code. Please enjoy the association.
Programming Note: Listen to Laurie Johnson live every Tuesday during Talk Ten Tuesdays, 10 Eastern.
Resources: 2021 ICD-10-CM Manual
There are varying opinions about the most effective way to get information from someone in an interview. Any TV viewer is aware of good cop/bad
Let me start with a topic that was discussed by David Glaser during a recent Monitor Monday broadcast. He noted the federal regulation (42 CFR
Please log in to your account to comment on this article.
Struggling with ICD-10-CM coding for diabetes and complications? This expert-led webcast clarifies complex combination codes, documentation gaps, and sequencing rules to reduce denials and ensure compliance. Dr. Angela Comfort will provide actionable strategies to accurately link diabetes to complications, improve provider documentation, and optimize reimbursement—helping coders, CDI specialists, and HIM leaders minimize audit risks and strengthen revenue integrity. Don’t miss this chance to master diabetes coding with real-world case studies, key takeaways, and live Q&A!
Uncover critical guidance. Kay Piper provides an interactive review on coding guidelines and more in the AHA’s fourth quarter 2025 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic in an easy to access on-demand webcast.
Uncover critical guidance. Kay Piper provides an interactive review on coding guidelines and more in the AHA’s third quarter 2025 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic in an easy to access on-demand webcast.
Uncover critical guidance. Kay Piper provides an interactive review on coding guidelines and more in the AHA’s second quarter 2025 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic in an easy to access on-demand webcast.
Struggling with CMS’s 3-Day Payment Window? Join compliance expert Michael G. Calahan, PA, MBA, CCO, to master billing restrictions for pre-admission and inter-facility services. Learn how to avoid audit risks, optimize revenue cycle workflows, and ensure compliance across departments. Critical for C-suite leaders, providers, coders, revenue cycle teams, and compliance teams—this webcast delivers actionable strategies to protect reimbursements and meet federal regulations.
Providers face increasing Medicare audits when using skin substitute grafts, leaving many unprepared for claim denials and financial liabilities. Join veteran healthcare attorney Andrew B. Wachler, Esq., in this essential webcast and master the Medicare audit process, learn best practices for compliant billing and documentation, and mitigate fraud and abuse risks. With actionable insights and a live Q&A session, you’ll gain the tools to defend your practice and ensure compliance in this rapidly evolving landscape.
Dr. Ronald Hirsch dives into the basics of Medicare for clinicians to be successful as utilization review professionals. He’ll break down what Medicare does and doesn’t pay for, what services it provides and how hospitals get paid for providing those services – including both inpatient and outpatient. Learn how claims are prepared and how much patients must pay for their care. By attending our webcast, you will gain a new understanding of these issues and be better equipped to talk to patients, to their medical staff, and to their administrative team.
Hospitals face growing challenges in measuring observation metrics due to inconsistencies in classification, payer policies, and benchmarking practices. Join Tiffany Ferguson, LMSW, CMAC, ACM, and Anuja Mohla, DO, FACP, MBA, ACPA-C, CHCQM-PHYADV as they provide critical insights into refining observation metrics. This webcast will address key issues affecting observation data integrity and offer strategies for improving consistency in reporting. You will learn how to define meaningful metrics, clarify commonly misinterpreted terms, and apply best practices for benchmarking, and gain actionable strategies to enhance observation data reliability, mitigate financial risk, and drive better decision-making.
Copyright © 2025 ICD10monitor. Powered by MedLearn Media.
Celebrate Lab Week with MedLearn! Sign up to win one year of our Laboratory All Access Pass! Click here to learn more →
Prepare for the 2025 CMS IPPS Final Rule with ICD10monitor’s IPPSPalooza! Click HERE to learn more
Get 15% OFF on all educational webcasts at ICD10monitor with code JULYFOURTH24 until July 4, 2024—start learning today!
CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 2 with code CYBER24
