Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Don't miss these neoplasm inclusion and exclusion term changes

You may not switch out your CPT and HCPCS manuals until Jan. 1, but make sure you grab the 2007 version of ICD-9 starting Oct. 1.

The final list of new codes wasn't available at the time we went to press, but proposed changes include adding exclusion terms regarding malignant stromal tumors to 151.x (Malignant neoplasm of stomach) and 152.x (Malignant neoplasm of small intestine, including duodenum).

Proposed changes for 174.x (Malignant neoplasm of female breast) and 175.x (Malignant neoplasm of male breast) add -Use additional code- notes for you to identify estrogen receptor status with new codes V86.0 (Estrogen receptor positive status [ER+]) or V86.1 (Estrogen receptor negative status [ER-]).

For a look at other changes that will affect your coding, see -Don't Miss This New Neoplasm-Related Pain Code- in the July 2006 issue of Oncology Coding Alert.

Resources: See proposed ICD-9 changes on the CMS Web site at www.cms.hhs.gov/AcuteInpatientPPS/downloads/cms1488p.pdf (table 6A); and the CDC Web site, which offers the ICD-9 Committee September 2005 agenda (www.cdc.gov/nchs/datawh/ftpserv/ftpicd9/agendasept05.pdf).