Hospital edition ICD-9-CM code books include volumes 1, 2,
and 3. Inpatient procedures are coded from volume 3 (ICD-9-CM procedure codes). Physician office edition
ICD-9-CM code books include only volumes 1
and 2 because office and clinic procedures are coded with CPT.
Not all ICD-9-CM code books are the same. Yes, the codes themselves are identical, but some versions of ICD-9-CM code books include additional notes and drawings. Publishers often offer two or more versions of the same code book. The more expensive versions typically have more hints and illustrations.
Sometimes the same book (hospital or office) is also offered in different bindings, e.g. standard, spiral, and compact. I actually like the non-spiral bound, compact books the best. I prefer the smaller size of these books and I feel that bound pages don't 'tangle' up like spiral ones may. However, you cannot fold bound books into half like you can spiral bound.
Most ICD-9-CM books are color coded, but a some (like Channel Publishing's code book not listed here) are printed in black-and-white. I personally find it easier to read pages and text that are color coded.
Most ICD-9-CM code books are printed on rough newspaper type paper with newspaper type ink. If you are allergic to newspaper print ink and/or paper, you might want to consider getting a PMIC code book. These books are printed on smooth, dictionary-type paper (unless they've changed it recently).
