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Urology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Can You Ever Report Cancer Without Confirmation?

Published on Mon Aug 18, 2008

Question: My urologist performed a radical nephrectomy (CPT 50230 ) and he documented the diagnosis as "renal neoplasm." Should I report ICD-9 593.9 or 239.5 as the diagnosis code?Pennsylvania SubscriberAnswer: You should use 189.0 (Malignant neoplasm of kidney and other and unspecified urinary organs; kidney, except pelvis) since your urologist most likely removed a malignant tumor of the kidney during the radical nephrectomy (50230, Nephrectomy ... radical, with regional lymphadenectomy and/or vena caval thrombectomy). An experienced urologist can often visually determine the nature of a mass using only gross inspection.Beware: Many commercial insurers, as well as Medicare, do not recognize 593.9 (Unspecified disorders of kidney and ureter) or 239.5 (Neoplasms of unspecified nature; other genitourinary organs) as acceptable diagnoses that show medical necessity for a radical nephrectomy.Best bet: Ask your urologist the nature of the "neoplasm" or wait for the pathology before you choose the correct diagnostic code to report for this procedure.
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