What character is used as a "placeholder" in an ICD-10-CM code?

In ICD-10-CM codes, the character used as a "placeholder" is the letter "X." This is particularly significant when an ICD-10-CM code requires a certain number of characters, and there are not enough specific digits to fill in those spaces. The "X" serves to ensure that the code maintains its required length and structure, allowing for accurate coding without implying any specific medical information.

For example, if a code has fewer than the required characters, an "X" can be added to meet that character count. This is important for coding accuracy and uniformity across medical records and billing, which helps avoid confusion during data processing and improves the consistency of coding practices.

Other characters, such as "0," "#" and "," do not serve as placeholders in the same way. "0" is a valid numeric digit used in coding, while "#" and "" are reserved for different functions within coding systems or applications but do not fulfill the role of a placeholder in ICD-10-CM codes.