General Surgery Coding Alert

Question: A patient presented for a screening colonoscopy. The surgeon found polyps and treated them. Therefore, this patient has a diagnosis of benign colon polyp. The patient also has diverticulosis. Should I put the V code for screening for malignant neoplasm as a third diagnosis? In the past Medicare has kicked the claim out and wont pay if I put the V code on, but that seems a proper code. Nebraska Subscriber Answer: If the surgeons documentation states that the patient presented for screening colonoscopy,you need to have the V code (such as V76.51,Screening for colon malignancy) as the first diagnosis even if the surgeon found and treated other problems. Medicare has been pretty clear that if the patient presents for screening you have to bill the screening with the V code, even if the physician finds a problem and treats it. When the surgeon finds and treats a problem, [...]