Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Now that you have one less code to worry about, here's how. Here are the coding-decision basics when your office performs a peroxidase-activity fecal occult blood test (such as guaiac-based tests): 1. Diagnostic or screening: You'll know whether to use a diagnostic or screening code by the ordering diagnosis. If the physician reports V76.51 (Special screening for malignant neoplasms; colon) or V76.41 (Special screening for malignant neoplasms; rectum),the lab is performing a screening. If the physician orders the FOBT based on a known condition, disease sign or symptom, the lab is performing a diagnostic test. You might see the test ordered for conditions such as unexpected anemia (280.0-280.9, Iron deficiency anemias) or patient complaint of red-tinged stools (787.7, Abnormal feces),You can see a complete list of diagnostic FOBT "payable diagnosis" ICD-9 codes on the NCD Web site at www.cms.hhs.gov/CoverageGenInfo/downloads/manual200901.pdf#23. 2. If screening, use 82270: Use 82270 (Blood,occult, by peroxidase [...]