Question: For how long after treatment can we use the cancer diagnosis code 183.0 for a patient of ovarian cancer who has completed treatment? Alabama Subscriber Answer: You should consider two options: 1. Code for primary malignancy 2. Code for personal history [...]
Watch out: Medicare has specific requirements other payers might not follow. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for colorectal cancer beginning at age 50 years and continuing until age 75 years. The following tips can help you [...]
Watch out: Medicare has specific requirements other payers might not follow. Colon cancers is one of the most potent dangers in American society witnessed by the increasing number of colon screening being carried out today. The U.S. Preventive Services Task [...]
Question: Please provide directions for reporting ‘history of bladder cancer’ versus ‘bladder tumor of unspecified nature (239.4).’ One criterion for reporting the ‘history’ code is when a patient no longer has the cancer and is no longer receiving treatment. We are [...]
Physical examination and physician decisions are key to correct coding. In the last issue of Oncology Coding Alert, Volume 16 Number 10, you read how history was elemental in E/M coding. Further steps to the right E/M codes include scrutinizing [...]
Question: Our patient was referred to home care following a cholecystectomy due to acute cholecystitis. She also has a history of breast cancer and is taking Tamoxifen prophylactically. She’s had some problems with urinary retention after surgery and one of her [...]
Question: We encountered a patient with a history of polyps. She is due for a surveillance screening and is now covered by Medicare. Since the patient has not had a screening with Medicare, could I use the V76.51 or just schedule [...]
Question: Our pathologist examined a femur neck specimen with a fracture from the patient’s right leg, and diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer. The patient has completed the prostate cancer treatment and, until this, had no other evidence of disease. How will we [...]
Retain your V-codes even if the screening turns diagnostic. You should be following the rule that if your gastroenterologist performs colonoscopy screening on a patient, you must connect a “screening” diagnosis to the procedure, even if the physician discovers any [...]
Question: I need a clarification on when to use a history of bladder cancer versus bladder tumor of unspecified nature (239.4). I understand once a patient no longer has the cancer and is no longer receiving treatment we move to the [...]
