READER QUESTIONS:
Navigate the Neoplasm Table
Published on Mon Nov 14, 2005
Question: What's the proper way to code for a patient referred for an MRI of the pelvis to stage and assess myometrial invasion after being diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma?
Texas Subscriber
Answer: Choose your CPT code from 72195-72197 (Magnetic resonance [e.g., proton] imaging, pelvis -) depending on the radiologist's use of contrast. For the diagnosis codes, you-ll need more details from the physician.
You-ll find carcinoma diagnosis codes in the neoplasm table in the ICD-9 index. If the endometrial carcinoma is the primary malignancy, report 182.0 (Malignant neoplasm of body of uterus; corpus uteri, except isthmus). If the report indicates a secondary myometrial carcinoma, report 198.82 (Secondary malignant neoplasm of other specified sites; other specified sites; genital organs). The answers for You Be the Coder and Reader Questions were reviewed by Cindy C. Parman, CPC, CPC-H, RCC, co-owner of Coding Strategies Inc. in Powder Springs, Ga., and president, AAPC National Advisory Board.