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ICD C77.1-is "compatible" a billable definition for a Neoplasm ?

D

dcruz

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Orlando, FL
per CT thorax, abd and pelvis results,

-Posterior Mediastinal Adenopathy, compatible with metastatic disease. This is somewhat increased from prior CT exam.

I will code as C77.1, but other coder do not agree, they say compatible = uncertain, which is not billable. Please advise, thank you
 
I would agree with the other coder. 'Compatible with' or 'consistent with' in a diagnostic test report usually indicates that the provider doing the interpretation believes the findings support that diagnosis, but they are not rendering a definitive diagnosis since that is up to the provider who is clinically treating the patient. So when these terms are used in an interpretation, I do not code that diagnosis unless I have concurrent documentation from the treating provider that they also concur with the findings.
 
Coding Clinic 3Q 2005 stated that "compatible with" is an uncertain term. Inpatient and outpatient allowance of uncertain terminology is different, so code or not code as applicable to POS.
 
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