Wiki PT/PTT testing prior to surgery/procedure

[Karolina]

Hello All:

I need some help clarifying which diagnoses should be coded in order to support the PT and/or PTT testing which is done prior to surgical procedures incl. biopsies. This test would be done prior to the procedure in order to screen the patient for coagulation. Code V72.63 (Pre-procedural laboratory examination) is not on Medicare's list of approved codes (NCDs 190.16 and 190.17). In many cases the patient does not have a prior history of problems with coagulation.
What would be the appropriate diagnosis coding in the following scenario: Patient X is seen for cancer. Dr. A (medical oncologist) sends patient X to Dr. B (surgeon) for a biopsy. Prior to the biopsy several tests are to be performed for surgical clearance, amongst those are the PT and/or PTT.
Thanks so much for your insight!

 

[mitchellde]

There is no other dx code to use in this case .. perhaps a screening code but I do not see that this is a screening either. If the patient is on an anticoagulant then it would be V58.83 with V58.61,

 

[Karolina]

Thanks, Debra.
In the absence of an anticoagulant, would you consider using the cancer diag? Several CA diags are supported and the procedure is done due to the CA, the PT/PTT is done due to the procedure which would not be done if there were no CA.
It's kind of twisted.
Thanks!