Q: What is the correct ICD-9 sequence for OV screening colonoscopy with signs and symptoms?The
physician documents screening colonoscopy visit but also states patient has GERD & abdominal
pain.
A: This is something that we probably don’t have quite enough information as far as just
this statement.
We probably need a little bit more but we can go over the basics here.
Actually, from what you read here, this is not a screening colonoscopy, this is a diagnostic
colonoscopy.
The testing of a person to rule out or confirm a suspected diagnosis because the patient
has some signs or symptoms is a diagnostic exam, not a screening.
So, we have signs and symptoms.
We have GERD and we have abdominal pain.
Now, you think, “Well, why would they do a colonoscopy if somebody has GERD?”
Well, this is actually all attached there, even though they’ll probably end up doing
an upper endoscopy, but they’re doing a colonoscopy because he’s got abdominal pain
and it doesn’t state where the abdominal pain is.
This could be lower abdominal pain.
With the information that we’re given, we’re assuming that these are signs and symptoms
for the cause of having a colonoscopy.
So, actually, the code V76.51 is a screening for malignant neoplasms, colon, or a screening
for colonoscopy not otherwise specified.
So, the person doesn’t have to be on the lookout for a malignancy.
That is the code if they want to check to see if there’s a malignancy involved, but
it’s also the basic V code for a screening colonoscopy.
But a screening colonoscopy would not have signs and symptoms, a screening colonoscopy
would not be the same as the one for diagnostic exam.
Let’s look at this, the other choices you have is to use a CPT code.
45378 is a colonoscopy, flexible; diagnostic, including collection of specimen(s) by brushing
or washing, when performed (separate procedure).
Now, keep in mind, don’t let this confuse you.
This doesn’t mean that they have to take specimens, or take a polyp, or anything.
This is just saying that if they do, this is your code for a general colonoscopy, this
is where you start.
If they take some of those specimens, that again you can use this one, but then they’ve
got ones for removal and add-on codes for numbers of polyps and things.
Use the signs and symptoms though to explain the reason for the test.
You use the V code if it is specifically the screening exam.
So, in the situation that we were given up here with the limited amount of information,
I would say this is a screening; if you’ve got signs and symptoms – that’s what the
S/Sx stands for, is your abbreviation for “signs and symptoms” – then you don’t
use this V code.
But to clarify: Does the physician feel these are S/Sx of what is going to be found with
the colonoscopy?
If yes, then don’t use the V code, and you may have to query to make sure.
If the patient has a history of trouble related to this then DO use the V code.
Let’s say he has a family history of colon cancer or he has a history of having polyps
removed a long time ago.
Here are some examples and these examples were fantastic and came from the AHA:
A 55-year-old male underwent a screening (because he probably had something) colonoscopy and
a large polyp was found.
Due to its size, and the inability of the gastroenterologist to visualize the base of
the polyp, it was only partially removed.
The pathologist confirmed that this was atubulovillous adenoma and the provider recommended a follow-up
colonoscopy in three months.
What you would do in this situation is assign code, V76.51, and then that’s for the screening
of the colonoscopy, this was a screening colonoscopy.
Then you assign the code for the benign neoplasm.
Whenever a screening examination is performed, the screening code is the first-listed code
– that’s the V-code would go first.
The fact that the test is a screening examination remains, regardless of the findings or any
additional procedure that is performed as a result of the findings.
What they’re saying in layman’s terms, more or less, is that we did a screening.
It doesn’t matter that they found anything.
And they did, they found this benign neoplasm.
That doesn’t change the fact that they came in for a screening.
That’s why this is different than the encounter we were given.
Now, let’s look at the same guy a little later.
If we say a patient status post removal of colon polyps five years ago presents to the
GI lab for surveillance colonoscopy.
The colonoscopy is completely normal and the provider recommends that he has another one
in ten years.
What you do again is you assign your code, V76.51, this is a special screening.
And then you code V12.72, personal history of certain diseases of the digestive system,
he had colon polyp in the past and they did another one.
That’s how this is different and how you would use a screening.
If you are able to get into Find-A-Code, that’s where I found these examples, they’re from
the AHA.
There were many more examples but hopefully that will help you understand the difference
between when you have signs and symptoms versus when it’s an actual screening or a diagnostic
exam.
That was a fun one to do.