Advanced Search

Urology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Use Cancer Dx for Chemo Treatments

Published on Mon Aug 17, 2009

Question: What diagnosis would I use for "muscleinvasive bladder cancer post-radical cystectomy with neobladder formation and adjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin"? Ohio Subscriber Answer: There is no diagnosis code that will delineate stage (invasiveness) or grade (cellular histology) of bladder tumors. Since the urologist is still treating the patient's bladder cancer with chemotherapy, code the cancer diagnosis -- 188.X (Malignant neoplasm of bladder) -- as the primary diagnosis, irrespective of the presence or absence of tumor, clinical stage. Then, use V58.11 (Encounter for antineoplastic chemotherapy) as the secondary diagnosis. Other secondary diagnoses that would be appropriate coding include V45.74 (Acquired absence of organ; other parts of urinary tract) and V44.8 (Artificial opening status; other artificial opening status).
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Urology Coding Alert

View All