How often is the ICD coding system typically updated?

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding system is updated approximately every 10 years. The most significant updates follow a comprehensive review and revision process that reflects changes in medical knowledge, practices, and the healthcare environment. For example, the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 occurred after about 20 years of use, indicating that while the updates can be quite lengthy, they do tend to happen roughly within the decade timeframe for significant modifications.

This periodic revision is crucial as it ensures that the coding system stays relevant and can accommodate new advancements in medical diagnoses and procedures. Although smaller updates or corrections may be made more frequently within that decade, the major restructuring of the code set adheres to this 10-year cycle. Thus, understanding this timeframe is important for healthcare professionals who rely on accurate coding for billing, data collection, and patient care analysis.