A review on the problems in coding system of Korean Classification of Disease for temporomandibular disorders

Song,  Yun-Heon; Kim,  Youn-Joong

J Korean Dent Assoc > Volume 48(6); 2010 > Article

The Journal of The Korean Dental Association 2010;48(6):459-468.
Published online June 30, 2010.

측두하악관절장애에 있어서 표준질병사인분류기호 부여의 문제점에 대한 고찰

송윤헌¹, 김연중²

^¹김연종.송윤헌치과의원
^²김연종.송윤헌치과의원

A review on the problems in coding system of Korean Classification of Disease for temporomandibular disorders

Yun-Heon Song¹, Youn-Joong Kim²

¹Kim & Song's Dental Office
²Kim & Song's Dental Office

Abstract

International Classification of Disease (ICD-10) is widely used as a crucial reference not only in the medical diagnosis of diseases but also within the health insurance system. It makes possible for medical personnel to make decisions systematically and for the people working in the health insurance or public health industries to better understand medical issues. However, this classification is often not enough or acceptable in a clinical setting. Many countries amend in their own way to make it more appropriate for their people. Korean Classification of Disease (KCD-5) was made by adding a 5 digit code for some diseases to clarify the conditions of the patients. The authors found problems of KCD-5 in temporomandibular disorders and several related medical problems. Medical treatment for these problems had not been covered even by public health insurance until 2000 in Korea. For the last decade, private insurance companies have introduced new items for reimbursement of the treatment fees the patients actually pay. The authors assumed that many patients with these medical problems encountered difficulties in the reimbursement from private insurance companies because KCD-5 did not classify these medical conditions appropriately. An overview of KCD-5 and suggestions for improvement are introduced in this study.

Key Words: Classification of Disease;temporomandibular disorders;reimbursement;