Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Question: A patient had rectal cancer in 2001 and is coming in now for a follow-up yearly visit. Would you code it "history of?" Is there a timeframe on how many years before history is coded? Nebraska Subscriber Answer: As soon as the physician ends treatment of the tumor and there is no evidence of cancer at that site, you may apply a history of cancer diagnosis. There's no time qualification. You should look for documentation that your . Technical and coding advice for You Be the Coder and Reader Questions provided by Cindy C. Parman, CPC, CPC-H, RCC, co-owner of Coding Strategies Inc. in Powder Springs, Ga., and past president of the American Academy of Professional Coders National Advisory Board.