ICD 10 Coding Alert

You need to know the difference between Excision and Resection.

Although you may be focused entirely on ICD-10-CM coding, you shouldn’t forget about reviewing ICD-10-PCS. These three Q&As highlight a few subtleties.

Question 1: The physician cuts out a complete lymph node chain. You should consider this procedure to have the root operation of Excision.

Answer 1: False. When the entire lymph node chain is removed, you should consider the root operation as Resection. The reason is because the physician removed the entire body part.

Reference: 2015 ICD-10-PCS Reference Manual, pg 41-42

Question 2: TRUE/FALSE - When there is no specific qualifier applicable to the procedure, you should use the value Z as the 7th character in ICD-10-PCS Medical and Surgical section codes.

Answer 2: True. When there is no specific qualifier that is applicable, you should use the value Z to denote “None.”

Reference: 2015 ICD-10-PCS Reference Manual, page 20.

Question 3: TRUE/FALSE - All procedures performed on the pregnant female are coded in the Obstetric section.

Answer 3: False. Procedures performed in the Obstetric section are performed strictly on the products of conception. Procedures performed on the pregnant female are coded to the appropriate root operation in the Medical and Surgical section.

Reference: Official Coding Guidelines C1

More information: To access the ICD-10-PCS Coding Guidelines and Reference Manual, you should go to URL: www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/ICD10/2015-ICD-10-PCS-and-GEMs.html .