Internal Medicine Coding Alert
Skin Cancer Codes of 173.x Series Are Now More Specific
Physicians need to pinpoint the type of diagnosis. When the updated version of ICD-9-CM goes into effect October 1, you'll have a few new options for reporting skin cancers in various locations. The extensions occur in code series 173.xx (Other malignant neoplasm of skin): The new fifth-digit options give more details regarding the type of neoplasm or carcinoma the internist diagnoses. The structure is consistent for each code, which makes your selection easier. Your new options for the fifth digit are: Caution:
"Preparing for the new and revised ICD-9 code changes requires creating better documentation habits," says Kelly C. Loya, CHC, CPC-I, CPhT, managing consultant with Sinaiko Healthcare Consulting Inc. "Encourage physicians to document the type, specific location, and nature of the disease process when it is known."
"Statistics show that skin cancer is a growing problem, and internists may often receive cases of skin cancers," says Kent J. Moore, manager of healthcare delivery and financing systems for the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) in Leawood, Kan. "This diagnosis coding change is very relevant to all associated physicians."
Watch for:
It's uncertain whether ICD-10 will include expanded skin neoplasm codes when the new system goes into effect in October 2013. Currently, ICD-10 is slated to include C44.0-C44.9 (Other malignant neoplasms of skin ...), a code series that does not have the specificity as the proposed ICD-9 2012 codes.Internal Medicine Coding Alert
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