Myth #3: The increase in the number of codes requires the coding of clinically irrelevant detail that is a coding and reporting burden.

Fact: The major cause for the increase in the number of diagnosis codes is due to ICD-10 having separate codes for left and right body parts, such as the hip joint. If the left/right distinctions were removed from the ICD-10 diagnosis codes, there would be 25,626 fewer codes. Thus, the option to specify the side of the body part increases the number of ICD-10 codes by 25,626,or 46 percent of the total increase in the number of codes. The side of the body is always well documented in the medical record and does not present a coding or reporting burden.