Dermatology Coding Alert
Reader Question:
V16.8 Tells Family Melanoma Risk Story
Published on Thu Jan 13, 2011 
PDF
PDF
Question:
Wisconsin Subscriber
Answer:
The family history of melanoma falls under the code V16.8 (Family history of malignant neoplasm; other specified malignant neoplasm), which may not be a covered primary diagnosis.Protect yourself:
Don't opt for V16.8 as primary on the claim form. Instead, use the diagnosis(es) for the skin lesions that the dermatologist reviewed upon examination (i.e., nevi and seborrheic keratosis) even if the lesions do not require treatment. It is still considered a medical decision when your dermatologist examined the lesion and decided no treatment was needed. Not to mention that you would need these diagnoses to support the patient's E/M visit.Meanwhile, most carriers accept the other V codes V10.82 (Personal history of malignant melanoma of skin) and V10.83 (Personal history of other malignant neoplasm of skin) as primary diagnoses.
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