Diagnosis codes to consider for screening mammograms are found under screening for malignancies, V76.11 high-risk patients or V76.12 for other than high-risk patients. Additional codes that support the patient as high risk should be included and listed as a secondary code to V76.11.
If incorrectly billed, the claim may be processed and paid at a lesser value. There are two ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes used to report a screening mammogram: Report code V76.11 (Screening for malignant neoplasms, screening mammogram for high risk patient) when any one of the following criteria is documented in the report:
ICD-10-CM provides Z codes to identify screening as the reason for a test or exam, using the following broad categories: Z11 Encounter for screening for infectious and parasitic diseases Z12 Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasms Z13 Encounter for screening for other diseases and disorders
History: A 42-year-old female, annual exam. Comparison: Mammogram one year prior. Findings: Bilateral digital implant screening mammogram, standard and displaced views were obtained. CAD utilized. Bilateral subglandular breast implants are noted.
Screening mammography is recommended for women age 40 and older every one to two years and younger than 40 years of age when the patient has increa...
Insurance companies follow the above recommendations as well and set guidelines that allow payment at 100% of allowable fee schedule for a screenin...
Proper reporting of ICD-9-CM codes informs the insurance company the service was for screening mammography. If incorrectly billed, the claim may be...
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Screening is the testing for disease or disease precursors in asymptomatic individuals so that early detection and treatment can be provided for those who test positive for the disease. Type 1 Excludes. encounter for diagnostic examination-code to sign or symptom. Use Additional.
Categories Z00-Z99 are provided for occasions when circumstances other than a disease, injury or external cause classifiable to categories A00 -Y89 are recorded as 'diagnoses' or 'problems'. This can arise in two main ways:
Screening Mammography: Screenings are performed on otherwise healthy individuals to look for cancer or precursors to cancer of the breasts.
Diagnostic Mammography: Diagnostic mammography includes additional x-ray views of each breast, taken from different angles and if performed digitally, may be manipulated, enlarged, or enhanced for better visualization of the abnormality found during screening mammography.
In general, screening mammograms are not recommended for women under 40 years of age, in part because breast tissue tends to be more dense in younger women, making mammograms as a screening tool less effective.
CAD: Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) is a computer-based process that is used in conjunction with digital mammography to analyze mammographic images and identify suspicious areas by marking them and bringing them to the radiologist's attention.
There is a technique that technicians should be trained in that allows them to better visualize breast tissue surrounding the implants called 'implant displacement views .'. Patients with implants after mastectomy should have orders that clarify if the physician wants the reconstructed breast to be screened as well.
Report code V76.12 (Screening for malignant neoplasms, other screening mammogram) for all other screening mammography. If the patient has a personal history of breast cancer, has completed active treatment and is back to annual mammographic screening, report V76.11.
Digital mammography is when images are taken and saved to a computer, which can then be enhanced, magnified, and manipulated as needed to aid in a more accurate diagnosis of early stage breast cancers or patients with very dense breast tissue.
Z codes (Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services (Z00-Z99)), found in ICD-10-CM, chapter 21, are required to describe a patient’s condition or status in four primary circumstances:
The Z code indicates that a screening exam is planned. 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.
Screening is testing for disease or disease precursors in seemingly well individuals so early detection and treatment can be provided for those who test positive for the disease (e.g., a screening mammogram is intended to detect breast cancer early, so it can be treated before it becomes more serious or widespread).
ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes support medical necessity by identifying the reason for the patient encounter, which may include an acute injury or illness, a chronic health condition, or signs and symptoms (e.g., pain, cough, shortness of breath, etc.) that warrants further investigation. When a patient presents for health screening services without a specific complaint, however, it’s time to call on Z codes.
A screening code is not necessary if the screening is inherent to a routine examination, such as Pap smear done during a routine pelvic examination. If a condition is discovered during the screening, you may assign the code for the condition as an additional diagnosis.
In lieu of 77057, Medicare requires the use of code G0202 to report screening mammograms. If only one breast is screened, append modifier 52. Patients who have a history of breast disease, whether malignant or biopsy proven benign, fall into either the screening or diagnostic category.
The screening code is used when the patient is coming in for an annual mammogram. and has no breast issues. The diagnostic codes are used when the mammogram is being done for a specific promblem (ex: breast mass, breast pain, etc….). I hope this helps. Jasminka.
Patients who report breast pain, lumps, nipple discharge, or other symptoms require diagnostic testing. Patients who have a personal history of breast cancer or biopsy confirmed non-malignant breast disease may also fall into the category of diagnostic.
Patients who are asymptomatic and request a mammogram are categorized as screening. For Medicare, and many other payers, these patients do not require a physician order and may self refer to a mammography center.
Since the codes don ’t specify the number of views, use one code along with one billing unit to report your services regardless of the number of views taken. Men are also susceptible to breast diseases–including cancer. Male patients who exhibit symptoms and present for mammography are considered diagnostic.
Though many insurance companies, as well as CMS, cover screening mammography, there are still a wide variety of coverage issues. Payment for screening services is usually driven by the payer and the patient’s individual schedule of benefits.
Under these circumstances, Medicare directs us to bill both the screening mammogram and the appropriate diagnostic mammogram. To indicate that a screening mammogram has taken place and ended in the decision for a diagnostic service, attach modifier “GG” to the appropriate diagnostic code.