Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Hint: Identify who is high risk.When a patient presents for a screening colonoscopy (G0105), one of the Medicare-allowed diagnoses that you could list for the procedure is 556.0 (Ulcerative enterocolitis). The general term ulcerative colitis refers to a condition of severe inflammation of the colon or large bowel in which ulcers form in the walls of the colon. Diarrhea, and bloody stools mixed with pus are common in this condition.ICD difference: When ICD-9-CM changes to ICD-10-CM in Oct. 1, 2013, code 556.0 will become K51.80 (Other ulcerative colitis without complications). This new code will define the presence of ulcerative colitis on a patient, but without complications.Underneath the K51 (Ulcerative colitis) category, you will see a note telling you to "use additional code to identify manifestations, such as pyoderma gangrenosum (L88)." Also, an Excludes1 note says that you will never report this condition with Crohn's disease [regional enteritis] (K50.-).Documentation: Before you [...]