What is one of the major uses of the ICD codes?

The major use of ICD codes, which stands for International Classification of Diseases, is indeed for billing purposes. ICD codes are crucial for documenting diagnoses, which are necessary for insurance claims and reimbursement processes. When healthcare providers submit claims to insurance companies, they must include accurate ICD codes that correspond to the patients' diagnoses in order to receive payment for their services. This coding system helps standardize billing across different healthcare settings and supports the tracking of health statistics, ensuring that the treatment provided aligns with the reasons for patient visits.

In contrast, the other listed uses do not accurately represent the primary function of ICD codes. While they serve important roles in different aspects of healthcare management—such as recording procedures and informing pharmaceutical treatments—those functions are typically associated with other classification systems, like CPT codes for procedures and the National Drug Code for medications. Additionally, denoting physician qualifications is unrelated to the ICD coding system, as this would fall under credentialing or licensure processes rather than diagnostic coding.