Wiki Screening Colonoscopy

[angiestaublin]

I recently watched the webinar "The Ins and Outs of Colonoscopies". In the content of this webinar, it is stated that the Colonoscopy should be reported as it is ordered. It is my understanding, if the patient is experiencing symptoms, then the procedure should not be reported as a screening even if it is ordered as such. Please advise. The ICD-10 definition of screening is as follows:

Screening
Screening is the testing for disease or disease precursors in seemingly well individuals so that early detection and treatment can be provided for those who test positive for the disease (e.g., screening mammogram). The testing of a person to rule out or confirm a suspected diagnosis because the patient has some sign or symptom is a diagnostic examination, not a screening. In these cases, the sign or symptom is used to explain the reason for the test.


Thank you!

 

[daniel]

This may help

Screening Colonoscopy	Z12.11	A screening test is a test provided to a patient in the absence of signs or symptoms. A screening colonoscopy is a service performed on an asymptomatic person for the purpose of testing for the presence of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps. Whether a polyp or cancer is ultimately found does not change the screening intent of that procedure. As part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicare and most third-party payors are required to cover services given an A or B rating by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) without a co-pay or deductible.
Surveillance Colonoscopy	Z12.11, Z86.010 Both acceptable codes for Medicare	Surveillance involves testing people who have previously had colorectal cancer or are at increased risk. Because their chance of having cancer is higher, more extensive or more frequent tests are recommended. A surveillance colonoscopy is a high-risk screening per AGA and AHA diagnostic coding clinic..
Follow-Up Colonoscopy	Z08 or Z09 with applicable history codes or absence of organs	The follow-up codes (Z08/Z9) are used to explain continuing surveillance following completed treatment of a disease, condition, or injury. They imply that the condition has been fully treated and no longer exists. They should not be confused with aftercare codes that explain current treatment for a healing condition or its sequalae. Follow-up codes may be used in conjunction with history codes to provide the full picture of the healed condition and it's treatment. The follow-up code is sequence first, followed by the history code.
Diagnostic Colonoscopy	Abnormal finding, sign or symptom codes	Diagnostic colonoscopy is a test performed as a result of an abnormal finding, sign or symptom (such as abdominal pain, bleeding, diarrhea, etc.) Medicare and most payors do not waive the co-pay and deductible when the intent of the visit is to perform a diagnostic colonoscopy.