Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Question: What is the diagnosis code for "positive ColoSure." A patient was sent to our practice for a colonoscopy with this given as the indication for the procedure.

Kansas Subscriber

Answer: If your gastroenterologist does not list a definitive finding after performing the colonoscopy, you may link V76.51 (Special screening for malignant neoplasms; colon) to 45378 (Colonoscopy, flexible, proximal to splenic flexure; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen[s] by brushing or washing, with or without colon decompression [separate procedure]).

However, if your physician does find and treat a problem, such as a rectal polyp (569.0, Anal and rectal polyp), then use that for your first-listed diagnosis.

ColoSure is a screening test for colon cancer. Like a fecal occult blood test, ColoSure tests a patient's feces, but instead of looking for hidden blood, the test seeks cells that have DNA mutations linked to colorectal cancer.

Reminder: If your patient has Medicare, describe the colonoscopy screening with G0121 (Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual not meeting criteria for high risk) if the diagnosis code is V76.51.