Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Question: Which code should I report for Lynch Syndrome?

Codify Member

Answer: Final coding will depend on the exact nature of the patient’s condition.

The simple answer is that to code Lynch Syndrome, you should report V84.09 (Genetic susceptibility to other malignant neoplasm). Lynch Syndrome, also called hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), is an inherited condition that increases a patient’s chance of getting colon cancer as well as several other cancers.

You may need additional codes to complete the coding. For instance, if the patient currently has a malignant neoplasm, you should code that neoplasm first, such as 153.6 (Malignant neoplasm of ascending colon). Or if the patient has a history of a malignant neoplasm, you should report a code to indicate this, such as V10.05 (Personal history of malignant neoplasm of large intestine). Given the nature of the condition, perhaps the patient has family history of cancer documented. If so, you should report this, as well, using the appropriate code, such as V16.0 (Family history of malignant neoplasm of gastrointestinal tract).

ICD-10-CM: Under ICD-10-CM, the codes above would crosswalk to:

·         C18.2, Malignant neoplasm of ascending colon

·         Z15.09, Genetic susceptibility to other malignant neoplasm

·         Z85.038, Personal history of other malignant neoplasm of large intestine

·         Z80.0, Family history of malignant neoplasm of digestive organs.