Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert
Distinguish Between Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy
Question: How is immunotherapy different from chemotherapy in treatment of cancer?
Ohio Subscriber
Answer: Immunotherapy in cancer treatment is used for stimulating or boosting the immune system to be able to attack and kill the cancer cells. Chemotherapy comprises agents that kill the cancer cells when administered. Immunotherapy drugs are now used to treat a number of cancers, for example, cancers of the prostate, lung, bladder, breast, colon, and kidney. Immunotherapy is also used in the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and melanoma. Monoclonal antibodies and cancer vaccines constitute the main types of immunotherapies used in cancer treatment. You can read more about immunotherapy at http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/treatmenttypes/immunotherapy/immunotherapy-types.
You have distinct codes to report for encounters of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, i.e. V58.11 (Encounter for antineoplastic chemotherapy) and V58.12 (Encounter for immunotherapy for neoplastic condition). When ICD-10 is implemented, you will choose from the following:
Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert
- Chemotherapy:
Command These Multiple Substances and Concurrent Hydration Chemotherapy Scenarios With This Advice
Keep count on total hours of infusion and check substances infused. Reporting for multiple infusions [...] - ICD-10:
Boost up Your Breast Cancer Reporting with This Best Advice
Look for both site and side in male breast options. You won’t find a one-to-one [...] - Documentation:
5 Rules You Can Follow to Improve Provider Documentation
Do not assume EMRs are flawless. Documentation compliance is as important as coding accuracy when [...] - You Be the Coder:
Submit Diagnosis Codes For both Secondary and Primary Carcinoma
Question: How can we report the diagnosis for bone metastasis in a patient who has Merkel [...] - Reader Question:
Ascertain Route for Ovarian Cyst Fluid Collection
Question: In a patient suspected to have ovarian tumor, our physician obtained a sample of the [...] - Reader Question:
Distinguish Between Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy
Question: How is immunotherapy different from chemotherapy in treatment of cancer? Ohio Subscriber Answer: Immunotherapy in [...]
