Gastroenterology Coding Alert
Don't Ignore Anemia as a Precursor for Colonoscopy
Question: Can I use the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia for a colonoscopy? The patient had a normal colon in 2010 with a repeat suggested by another physician in 5-10 years. The patient was referred by an oncology group due to low iron studies.
Missouri Subscriber
Answer: Yes. You can use iron deficiency anemia for a colonoscopy if the provider has determined that the patient has this diagnosis. You will choose a code from the group 280.x (Diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs; Iron deficiency anemias) with a fourth digit (0-9) expansion for specificity of origin of the anemia. If the provider has not definitively diagnosed the iron deficiency anemia, a better choice would be 790.6 (Other abnormal blood chemistry), which will pinpoint the abnormal blood levels of one or more of the following:
Query your provider before coding to get a definitive diagnosis as 790.6 may not be a covered diagnosis for some insurance companies.The diagnostic colonoscopy service to investigate a new condition of iron deficiency will not be covered as routine screening under the Accountable Care Act and will be subject to deductibles and co-payments.
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