HCPCS and CPT® screening colonoscopy codes HCPCS/CPT ® code Description 45378 Colonoscopy G0105 Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy ... G0121 Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy ...
ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z12.11 [convert to ICD-9-CM] Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of colon Screening for colon cancer; Screening for colon cancer done; Encounter for screening colonoscopy NOS ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z12.12 [convert to ICD-9-CM]
Exception: Medicare patients with a family history (first degree relative with colorectal and/or adenomatous cancer) may qualify as “high risk.” Colonoscopy for these patients would not be a “surveillance,” but a screening, reported with HCPCS Level II code G0105 Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual at high risk.
The –PT modifier indicates a screening colonoscopy has been converted to a diagnostic test or other procedure. 3) Use an appropriate ICD-10 diagnosis code to indicate the procedure was a screening procedure.
To report screening colonoscopy on a patient not considered high risk for colorectal cancer, use HCPCS code G0121 and diagnosis code V76. 51 (Special screening for malignant neoplasm of the colon).
ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes. Z12.11 - Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of colon.
An exam can be reported as a surveillance colonoscopy is the patient has a history of polyps, is now returning for a follow-up exam and is otherwise asymptomatic. Code Z86. 010 (Personal history of colonic polyps) should be reported if the previous polyps were benign.
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.
Z12. 12 Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of rectum - ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes.
For example, Z12. 31 (Encounter for screening mammogram for malignant neoplasm of breast) is the correct code to use when you are ordering a routine mammogram for a patient. However, coders are coming across many routine mammogram orders that use Z12. 39 (Encounter for other screening for malignant neoplasm of breast).
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. The patient will probably need to appeal this to their insurance company.
“Code Z86. 010, Personal history of colonic polyps, should be assigned when 'history of colon polyps' is documented by the provider. History of colon polyp specifically indexes to code Z86.
A family of CPT codes applies to colonoscopy. For example, code 45378 applies to a colonoscopy in which no polyp is detected, while codes 45380-45385 apply to colonoscopy that involves an intervention (e.g., 45385 is the code for colonoscopy with polypectomy.)
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.
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.
If during a colonoscopy a pathology is encountered that necessitates an intervention which converts the screening colonoscopy to a diagnostic/therapeutic colonoscopy, the appropriate CPT® code which includes the –PT modifier for the diagnostic/therapeutic colonoscopy must be submitted with an appropriate diagnosis to ...
A family history but no personal history of colon polyps or colon cancer is sometimes considered surveillance and does not fall under screening benefits.
A screening code may be the first-listed code if the reason for the visit is specifically the screening exam. A screening Z code also may be used as an additional code if the screening is done during an office visit for other problems. A procedure code is required to confirm the screening was performed.
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.
*For screening, people are considered to be at average risk if they do not have: A personal history of colorectal cancer or certain types of polyps. A family history of colorectal cancer. A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease)
A screening code may be a first-listed code if the reason for the visit is specifically the screening exam.
A screening mammogram is an example of such a test. If a screening examination identifies pathology, the code for the reason the test (namely, the screening code from categories Z11-Z13) is assigned as the principle diagnosis or first-listed code, followed by a code for the pathology or condition found during the screening exam.”.
A screening code is not necessary if the screening is inherent to a routine examination, such as a pap smear done during a routine pelvic examination. Should a condition be discovered during the screening then the code for the condition may be assigned as an additional diagnosis.
CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2020 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply.
Title XVIII of the Social Security Act §1833 (e) prohibits Medicare payment for any claim which lacks the necessary information to process the claim.
If during a colonoscopy a pathology is encountered that necessitates an intervention which converts the screening colonoscopy to a diagnostic/therapeutic colonoscopy, the appropriate CPT ® code which includes the –PT modifier for the diagnostic/therapeutic colonoscopy must be submitted with an appropriate diagnosis to justify the procedure such as Z80.0-Family history of malignant neoplasm of digestive organs. 1) Choose the correct CPT ® code which describes the procedure that was attempted..
Note: Z80.0 does not appear as a covered ICD-10 code in the Billing and Coding: Colonoscopy/Sigmoidoscopy/Proctosigmoidoscopy A56632 article because the Colonoscopy/Sigmoidoscopy/Proctosigmoidoscopy L34454 LCD addresses ONLY procedures performed for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes.
Contractors may specify Bill Types to help providers identify those Bill Types typically used to report this service. Absence of a Bill Type does not guarantee that the article does not apply to that Bill Type.
Contractors may specify Revenue Codes to help providers identify those Revenue Codes typically used to report this service. In most instances Revenue Codes are purely advisory. Unless specified in the article, services reported under other Revenue Codes are equally subject to this coverage determination.
Screening colonoscopy: once every 24 months (unless a screening flexible sigmoidoscopy has been performed and then Medicare may cover a screening colonoscopy only after at least 47 months) Screening barium enema (when used instead of a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy): once every 24 months.
What better time to refresh your coding know-how for colorectal cancer screening than National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month? Of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
For screening colonoscopies, fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs), flexible sigmoidoscopies, and barium enemas, coverage applies to all Medicare patients who fall into at least one of the following categories:
CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2020 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply.
Abstract: This article represents local instructions for CMS National Coverage Policy (CMS Publication 100-03, Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCD) Manual, Chapter 1, Section 210.3).
Contractors may specify Bill Types to help providers identify those Bill Types typically used to report this service. Absence of a Bill Type does not guarantee that the article does not apply to that Bill Type.
Contractors may specify Revenue Codes to help providers identify those Revenue Codes typically used to report this service. In most instances Revenue Codes are purely advisory. Unless specified in the article, services reported under other Revenue Codes are equally subject to this coverage determination.
Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF):#N#A screening colonoscopy is performed once every 10 years for asymptomatic patients aged 50-75 with no history of colon cancer, polyps, and/or gastrointestinal disease.#N#A surveillance colonoscopy can be performed at varying ages and intervals based on the patient’s personal history of colon cancer, polyps, and/or gastrointestinal disease. Patients with a history of colon polyp (s) are not recommended for a screening colonoscopy, but for a surveillance colonoscopy. Per the USPSTF, “When the screening test results in the diagnosis of clinically significant colorectal adenomas or cancer, the patient will be followed by a surveillance regimen and recommendations for screening are no longer applicable.”#N#The USPSTF does not recommend a particular surveillance regime for patients who have a personal history of polyps and/or cancer; however, surveillance colonoscopies generally are performed in shortened intervals of two to five years. Medical societies, such as the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, regularly publish recommendations for colonoscopy surveillance.#N#The type of colonoscopy will fall into one of three categories, depending on why the patient is undergoing the procedure.#N#Diagnostic/Therapeutic colonoscopy (CPT® 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))#N#Patient has a gastrointestinal sign, symptom (s), and/or diagnosis.#N#Preventive colonoscopy screening (CPT® 45378, G0121 Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual not meeting criteria for high risk)#N#Patient is 50 years of age or older#N#Patient does not have any gastrointestinal sign, symptom (s), and/or relevant diagnosis#N#Patient does not have any personal history of colon cancer, polyps, and/or gastrointestinal disease#N#Patient may have a family history of gastrointestinal sign, symptom (s), and/or relevant diagnosis#N#Exception: Medicare patients with a family history (first degree relative with colorectal and/or adenomatous cancer) may qualify as “high risk.” Colonoscopy for these patients would not be a “surveillance,” but a screening, reported with HCPCS Level II code G0105 Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual at high risk.#N#Surveillance colonoscopy (CPT® 45378, G0105)#N#Patient does not have any gastrointestinal sign, symptom (s), and/or relevant diagnosis.#N#Patient has a personal history of colon cancer, polyps, and/or gastrointestinal disease.
Medical societies, such as the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, regularly publish recommendations for colonoscopy surveillance. The type of colonoscopy will fall into one of three categories, depending on why the patient is undergoing the procedure.
To avoid angry, confused patients, educate them about the types of colonoscopy (preventative, surveillance, or diagnostic) and insurance benefits associated with each procedure . Accomplish this by providing the patient with the correct tools.
According to ICD-9-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, section 18.d.4:#N#There are two types of history V codes, personal and family . Personal history codes explain a patient’s past medical condition that no longer exists and is not receiving any treatment, but that has the potential for recurrence, and therefore may require continued monitoring. Personal history codes may be used in conjunction with follow-up codes and family history codes may be used in conjunction with screening codes to explain the need for a test or procedure.#N#Common personal history codes used with colonoscopy are V12.72 and V10.0x Personal history of malignant neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract. The family history codes include V16.0 Family history of malignant neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract; V18.51 Family history of colonic polyps; and V18.59 Family history of other digestive disorders. Lastly, V76.51 describes screening of the colon.#N#Per the ICD-9-CM official guidelines, you would be able to report V76.51 (screening) primary to V16.0 (family history of colon polyps). In contrast, you would not use V76.51 (screening) with V12.72 (personal history of colon polyps) because family history codes, not personal history codes, should be paired with screening codes. Personal history would be paired with a follow-up code.#N#Just because you get paid doesn’t mean the coding is correct: Most carriers will pay V76.51 with V12.72 because their edits are flawed and allow it. The patient’s claim will process under a patient’s preventative benefits with no out-of-pocket; however, an audit of the record with the carrier guidance will reveal that the claim incorrectly paid under preventative services when, in fact, the procedure should have paid as surveillance. The best strategy is to contact your payer to be sure you are coding correctly based on that payer’s “screening vs. surveillance” guidelines.
Practices performing colonoscopies for colon and rectal cancer screenings have seen a corresponding rise in requests for “screening” colonoscopy. As a result, there is an increase in incorrectly coded colonoscopies. Practices may not understand that a majority of patients are actually not screening colonoscopies, ...
Colonoscopy for these patients would not be a “ surveillance,” but a screening, reported with HCPCS Level II code G0105 Colorectal cancer screening; colonoscopy on individual at high risk. Patient does not have any gastrointestinal sign, symptom (s), and/or relevant diagnosis.
Under the ACA, payers must offer first-dollar coverage for screening colonoscopy but are not obliged to do so for a surveillance or diagnostic colonoscopy. The patient’s history and findings determine the reason for and type of colonoscopy, driving the benefit determination.