What is the key difference between ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS?

The key difference highlighted is the specific purpose of each code set. ICD-10-CM is primarily designed for the reporting of diagnoses in a variety of healthcare settings, including outpatient and emergency services. It facilitates the documentation and classification of medical conditions, diseases, and symptoms.

On the other hand, ICD-10-PCS (Procedure Coding System) serves a distinct function, focusing exclusively on the coding of procedures performed in inpatient hospital settings. This system allows for the detailed tracking and categorization of surgical and other complex procedures, thus enabling better data analysis and management for inpatients.

This differentiation is crucial for healthcare professionals and coders, as it determines which coding system to use based on the context of the encounter, whether it is diagnosing a patient or documenting procedures performed during hospitalization. The other options, while they reference some aspects of the coding systems, do not accurately capture the primary distinction in their intended coding applications.