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

[dcruz]

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

 

[thomas7331]

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.

 

[terribrown]

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.