Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Tip: Pay attention to the anatomical area your ob-gyn is screening.

In the cover article, you encountered the screening codes V76.2 (Special screening for malignant neoplasms; cervix) and V76.47 (Special screening for malignant neoplasms, vagina).

Physicians order screening tests in the absence of signs or symptoms of disease. "That usually means the patient has no current problems or past history of abnormal Pap results or cervical disease," explains Melanie Witt, RN, CPC, COBGC, MA, a coding expert based in Guadalupita, N.M. Therfore, for many patients, you'll use V76.2 or V76.47 to explain the reason for the test.

ICD-10: When Oct. 1, 2013, you'll shift to new Z codes. Code V76.2 will become Z12.4 (Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of cervix), and V76.47 will become Z12.72 (Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of vagina). Although the definitions are slightly different, these are a direct one-to-one correlation.

Coder tips: As with the ICD-9 versions, you need to know what anatomical area the ob-gyn is screening -- either the cervix or the vagina.