Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Follow these new drug use and genetic susceptibility coding rules

Here's a peek at some new ICD-9 guidelines, effective Dec. 1:

- V58.6x--Long-term (current) drug use

New instruction: Assign a code from subcategory V58.6x for specific situations, such as when a patient requires a lengthy course of treatment for cancer.

- V84.x--Genetic susceptibility status

New instruction: Don't report this code as a principal or first-listed code.

 If the patient has a specific condition and that's the reason for the encounter, code the condition first.
 If the patient is seen for follow-up after treatment for the condition and the condition no longer exists, report a follow-up code first, then report the appropriate codes for personal history and genetic susceptibility.

Remember: Genetic susceptibility codes aren't tied to reimbursement--payers typically consider them -information only- codes.