Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Endocervix and exocervix lesions will have specific codes.When a chart documents cervical carcinoma in situ, you'll need to make sure to get the lesion location if you want to use the most specific ICD-10 diagnosis starting in October 2013.That's because instead of relying on one code as you do for ICD-9 (233.1, Carcinoma in situ, cervix uteri), you'll have multiple ICD-10 options under D06.- (Carcinoma in situ of cervix uteri) as follows:D06.0, Carcinoma in situ of endocervixD06.1, Carcinoma in situ of exocervixD06.7, Carcinoma in situ of other parts of cervixD06.9, Carcinoma in situ of cervix, unspecified.Physician documentation: The key difference between 233.1 and the D06.- category is the specific location of the lesion: endocervix, exocervix, "other parts," or unspecified. For that reason, you'll want the lesion location to be easily accessible in the chart so you can quickly choose the most appropriate code.Remember: When ICD-10 goes into effect on Oct. [...]