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ICD-10 Coding for History of Breast Carcinoma(Z85.3)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for History of Breast Carcinoma. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

History of Breast CancerPersonal History of Breast Neoplasm

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to History of Breast Carcinoma

Z85.3Primary Range

Personal history of malignant neoplasm of breast

Used for patients with a history of breast cancer who are no longer undergoing active treatment.

Encounter for follow-up examination after completed treatment for malignant neoplasm

Used for follow-up visits after cancer treatment to monitor for recurrence.

Long-term (current) use of agents affecting estrogen receptors and estrogen levels

Used when a patient is on long-term medication like tamoxifen for prophylaxis.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for history of breast cancer

Essential facts and insights about History of Breast Carcinoma

The ICD-10 code for a personal history of breast cancer is Z85.3, used when the patient is in remission.

Primary ICD-10-CM Code for history of breast carcinoma

Personal history of malignant neoplasm of breast
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Patient has completed all cancer treatment and is in remission.

documentation Criteria

  • Records indicate no active treatment and surveillance only.

Applicable To

  • History of breast cancer

Excludes

  • Current breast cancer (C50.-)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • No evidence of active disease on imaging
  • Completed treatment documented
  • No current symptoms indicative of active cancer

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly coding active treatment as history
  • Lack of documentation for remission

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation clearly states 'history of' and 'no evidence of disease'.

Ancillary Codes

Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.

Follow-up examination after treatment for malignant neoplasm

Z08
Use for follow-up visits to monitor for cancer recurrence.

Long-term use of agents affecting estrogen receptors

Z79.81
Use when the patient is on prophylactic medication like tamoxifen.

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.

Malignant neoplasm of breast

C50.xxx
Use C50.xxx if the patient is still undergoing active treatment.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting History of Breast Carcinoma to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code Z85.3.

Impact

Clinical: Misrepresentation of patient status., Regulatory: Potential audit issues., Financial: Claim denials due to insufficient documentation.

Mitigation Strategy

Always document treatment history and current status.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding may lead to denied claims., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate patient records.

Mitigation Strategy

Use C50.xxx if the patient is receiving active treatment.

Impact

Using Z85.3 for patients still receiving treatment.

Mitigation Strategy

Verify treatment status before coding.

Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ICD-10 coding for History of Breast Carcinoma, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for History of Breast Carcinoma

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for History of Breast Carcinoma. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Post-treatment follow-up

Specialty: Oncology

Required Elements

  • Patient history
  • Treatment completion date
  • Current disease status
  • Surveillance plan

Example Documentation

Patient has a history of left breast cancer, treated with lumpectomy and radiation in 2022. No evidence of recurrence on current imaging.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Breast cancer, follow-up.
Good Documentation Example
History of left breast cancer, treated with lumpectomy and radiation in 2022. No evidence of recurrence on current imaging.
Explanation
The good example provides specific treatment history and current disease status.

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