Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Jot this important note next to 176.x in your manual. If you stop your search for a Kaposi's sarcoma ICD-9 code at 176.x (Kaposi's sarcoma), you're at risk of choosing the wrong principal diagnosis. Here's what you need to know. Grasp Underlying Cause to Boost 176.x Accuracy When coding Kaposi's sarcoma, be sure you understand when you should report both the condition and its cause. Kaposi's sarcoma herpes virus (KSHV) causes Kaposi's sarcoma but typically only in patients with immune system issues. HIV infection is the most common culprit in the U.S. ICD-9 official guidelines state, "If a patient is admitted for an HIV-related condition, the principal diagnosis should be 042, followed by additional diagnosis codes for all reported HIV-related conditions" (Section 1.C.1.a.2, www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd/icd9cm_addenda_guidelines.htm). So if a patient presents for HIV-associated Kaposi's sarcoma treatment, the proper ICD-9 codes are 042 (Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease) and then 176.x, says [...]