Wiki Diag code for screenings turned medical colonocsopy

[dawnha1]

We go around and around on this questions. When a patient is scheduled for a screening colonoscopy we use the Z12.11 code but then during the scope they do a biopsy of a polyp. When you bill out the surgery what is the primary diag used? The screening code or the diagnosis found during the scope?
Thanks
Dawn

 

[mitchellde]

Screening diagnosis code is listed first the finding is listed second, for procedure you use the diagnosis procedure code and append the PT modifier if it is Medicare , the 33 modifier for all other payers. Link both diagnosis codes to the procedure.

diagnosis codes, diagnosis coding

 

[DFUGET]

depending on the payor, the first listed diagnosis code would be Z12.11. Also, you need to append modifiers 33 or PT to the claim.

diagnosis codes, diagnosis coding