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Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Get Neoplasm Details to Code Orbital Tumor

Published on Fri Jun 08, 2007

Question: What diagnosis should I code for an orbital tumor?

Oregon Subscriber Answer: The correct code depends on whether the tumor is malignant, benign, of uncertain behavior or unspecified. Because of this, you-ll need to get more information from your physician before selecting a code.

ICD-9 has different diagnoses for neoplasms of the orbit itself, plus the bone, eye and soft parts of the orbit. Your choices range from 190.1 (Malignant neoplasm of eye; orbit) to 224.1 (Benign neoplasm of eye; orbit).

If you can't get more details about the patient's condition, your best option might be 238.8 (Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of other and unspecified sites and tissues; other specified sites) or 239.8 (Neoplasms of unspecified nature; other specified sites).
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