Wiki Billing Metastatic Cancer

[Tonyj]

Pt presents with Brease Ca metastatic to lungs, brain, lymph nodes and bone. When appending dx's code to a bill is it feasible to use 174.9 (breast Ca) with 199.0 (Disseminated) or do I need to list all sites individually; 197.0(lung), 198.3(brain), 196.9(lymph nodes), 198.5 (bone)?

 

[mitchellde]

You should list each site separate as the drug of choice is different for each site. It is always best to be as specific as possible. Also we were told at the cancer research center that disseminated is not the same as metastatic to multiple sites, therefore we never coded it unless documented.

 

[Tonyj]

You should list each site separate as the drug of choice is different for each site. It is always best to be as specific as possible. Also we were told at the cancer research center that disseminated is not the same as metastatic to multiple sites, therefore we never coded it unless documented.

Thanks much for clarifying that!