General Surgery Coding Alert
Focus This Ovarian ‘Borderline’ Tumor Dx
Question: The pathology report for a left oophorectomy identifies “serous tumor of low malignant potential (atypical proliferative serous tumor of ovary).” Would C56.2 be the correct diagnosis code for this case? Codify Subscriber Answer: No, C56.2 (Malignant neoplasm of left ovary) is not the best code for this case Low malignant potential tumors are also known as borderline tumors according to the American Cancer Society (Source: www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/treating/low-malignant-potential.html). That means you should not report them as a malignant neoplasm, ruling out any of the following ovarian diagnosis codes: Instead, you should think of it as a tumor of uncertain behavior, and you should report D39.12 (Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of left ovary) for this case.
Related Articles
General Surgery Coding Alert
- CPT® 2022:
Change Reporting Habits for Principal Care Management
See how CPT® and CMS clear the way. Changes to reporting E/M services didn’t stop [...] - ICD-10-CM Update:
Incorporate New Dx Coding by Oct. 1
COVID-19 and GI changes top the list. Don’t miss out on diagnosis coding updates — [...] - Compliance:
Get ‘Surprise Billing’ Disclosures in Place Now
You can still bill out-of-network balance — with permission. Known as the No Surprises Act, [...] - You Be the Coder:
Distinguish Venipuncture Codes
Question: What is the difference between venipuncture codes 36400-36410, 36420-36425, and 36415 other than patient [...] - Reader Questions:
Focus This Ovarian ‘Borderline’ Tumor Dx
Question: The pathology report for a left oophorectomy identifies “serous tumor of low malignant potential [...] - Reader Questions:
Use Caution with Complication Billing
Question: Our surgeon performed a flexible sigmoidoscopy with the intention of performing band ligation of [...] - Reader Questions:
See If HIPAA Constrains Employers
Question: Can employers request employee lab test results for COVID-19 testing or does HIPAA preclude [...]
