Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Question:


Tennessee Subscriber

Answer: Don't report the condition as if it existed. ICD9 added new V codes in October 2004 related to genetic testing that you should use to indicate when a person has a gene that increases his risk of developing a certain disease. The code category is V84.x (Genetic susceptibility to disease). You can select the proper code from the following list and report it to the highest degree of specificity (to the fourth or fifth digit, as required):

 V84.01 - Genetic susceptibility to malignant neoplasm of breast

 V84.02 - Genetic susceptibility to malignant neoplasm of ovary

 V84.03 - Genetic susceptibility to malignant neoplasm of prostate

 V84.04 - Genetic susceptibility to malignant neoplasm of endometrium

 V84.09 - Genetic susceptibility to other malignant neoplasm

 V84.8 - Genetic susceptibility to other disease.

These codes indicate that tests have confirmed the presence of an abnormal gene. You should code first any current malignant neoplasm, if applicable. You should also report any associated family history of disease (V16-V19), if known.

If the physician performs a prophylactic organ removal based on results of genetic susceptibility testing, you should first code subcategory V50.4x (Prophylactic organ removal), followed by the appropriate genetic susceptibility code and any appropriate family history code.