Talk to your doctor about having a colonoscopy if you are any of the following:
Guidelines for Surveillance Colonoscopy. Routine baseline colonoscopy with good to excellent prep; no precancerous polyps, no significant family history or advanced polyps: Interval to next exam is 10 years. Small rectal hyperplastic polyps: Colonoscopy or other screening options at intervals recommended for average-risk individuals.
Screening colonoscopy. Screening Colonoscopies are performed on patients that have no presenting signs or symptoms related to the digestive system, but have reached the age for routine screenings. ICD-9- CM diagnosis code V76.51 (Special screening for malignant neoplasm, colon) is always the first listed diagnosis code regardless of the findings.
Your colonoscopy is considered a diagnostic colonoscopy for the following reasons:
A screening colonoscopy should be reported with the following International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition (ICD-10) codes: Z12. 11: Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of the colon.
What's the right code to use for screening colonoscopy? For commercial and Medicaid patients, use CPT code 45378 (Colonoscopy, flexible, proximal to splenic flexure; diagnostic, with or without collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing, with or without colon decompression [separate procedure]).
If the procedure was cancelled due to poor bowel preparation, and the admission meets criteria for reporting, then a code from Z53. - Persons encountering health services for specific procedures, not carried out can be assigned.
There are 2 different sets of screening colonoscopy codes: There are payors that accept the Z12. 11 (encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of colon) in the first coding position, while other payors either require this diagnosis in a subsequent position behind family history codes or prefer to see the Z12.
ICD-10 code K63. 5 for Polyp of colon is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Diseases of the digestive system .
During a colonoscopy, the doctor inserts a colonoscope into your rectum to check for abnormalities in your entire colon. A colonoscopy (koe-lun-OS-kuh-pee) is an exam used to look for changes — such as swollen, irritated tissues, polyps or cancer — in the large intestine (colon) and rectum.
Incomplete colonoscopies are reported with the 53 modifier. Medicare will pay for the interrupted colonoscopy at a rate that is calculated using one-half the value of the inputs for the codes.
Failed or “incomplete” colonoscopies should be coded using CPT 45378 with the right G-code modifier for a failed procedure.
Diagnostic colonoscopies are used when a patient exhibits specific symptoms that may indicate colon cancer or other issues. This procedure helps the physician further diagnose the patient's condition. Diagnostic colonoscopies may also involve biopsies, lesion removals, and the like.
A screening colonoscopy will have no out-of-pocket costs for patients (such as co-pays or deductibles). A “diagnostic” colonoscopy is a colonoscopy that is done to investigate abnormal symptoms, tests, prior conditions or family history.
Medicare and most insurance carriers will pay for screening colonoscopies once every 10 years. Surveillance colonoscopies are performed on patients who have a prior personal history of colon polyps or colon cancer. Medicare will pay for these exams once every 24 months.
If the patient presents for a screening colonoscopy and a polyp or any other lesion/diagnosis is found, the primary diagnosis is still going to be Z12. 11, Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of colon. The coder should also report the polyp or findings as additional diagnosis codes.
The colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy is still classified as a preventive service eligible for coverage at the no-member-cost-share benefit level. a. Submit the claim with Z12. 11 (Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of colon) as the first-listed diagnosis code; this is the reason for the service or encounter.
When reporting the diagnosis code, I would suggest reporting Z12. 11 (encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of the digestive organs) and Z86. 010 (personal history of colonic polyps) second.
A screening colonoscopy will have no out-of-pocket costs for patients (such as co-pays or deductibles). A “diagnostic” colonoscopy is a colonoscopy that is done to investigate abnormal symptoms, tests, prior conditions or family history.
Diagnostic / Therapeutic Colonoscopy – Patient has gastrointestinal symptoms, colon polyps, or gastrointestinal disease requiring evaluation or treatment by colonoscopy (CPT Code: 45380 – See # 1 below).