Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Don't miss the difference between 'other' and 'unspecified.'Pinpointing anatomic location is crucial to correct ICD-9 coding for female patients with breast cancer. Simplify the job with this helpful 174.x (Malignant neoplasm of female breast) visual aid.Watch for Other 174.x OpportunitiesAxillary tail: Code 174.6 (... axillary tail) is appropriate for neoplasms of the area that reaches from the upper breast up through the underarm area.Other: Use 174.8 (... other specified sites of female breast) if the oncologist's documentation refers to locations such as the following without offering more specifics:Ectopic sitesInner breastLower breastContiguous or overlapping sites whose origin can't bedeterminedMidline of breastOuter breastUpper breast.Unspecified: If the documentation doesn't specify a site, 174.9 (Breast [female], unspecified) is appropriate. Think of "unspecified" the same as you would for "not otherwise specified" or "NOS," says Terry Fletcher, BS, CPC, CCS-P, CCS, CMSCS, CCC, CEMC, CMC, the CEO of Terry Fletcher Consulting in Laguna Beach, Calif. [...]