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ICD-10 Coding for History of Leukemia(Z85.71, Z85.79)

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

Also known as:

Leukemia HistoryHx of Leukemia

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to History of Leukemia

Z85.71-Z85.79Primary Range

Personal history of malignant neoplasms of lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissues

This range includes codes for personal history of leukemia and other related neoplasms, indicating resolved conditions without current treatment.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
Z85.71Personal history of leukemiaUse when leukemia is resolved, with no active treatment or evidence of disease.
  • No current evidence of disease (normal CBC/differential, no circulating blasts)
  • No active treatment directed at leukemia
Z85.79Personal history of other malignant neoplasms of lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissuesUse for history of resolved lymphoid or hematopoietic neoplasms other than leukemia.
  • Resolved status of non-leukemia hematopoietic neoplasms

Clinical Decision Support

Always review the patient's clinical documentation thoroughly. When in doubt, choose the more specific code and ensure documentation supports it.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for history of leukemia

Essential facts and insights about History of Leukemia

The ICD-10 code for history of leukemia is Z85.71, indicating resolved leukemia with no active treatment.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for history of leukemia

Personal history of leukemia
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • No active treatment or evidence of leukemia

documentation Criteria

  • Explicit statement of resolved leukemia with normal lab results

Applicable To

  • History of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
  • History of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

Excludes

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • No current evidence of disease (normal CBC/differential, no circulating blasts)
  • No active treatment directed at leukemia

Code-Specific Risks

  • Confusion with remission codes (C91.1-)
  • Inadequate documentation of resolved status

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation clearly states leukemia is resolved with no current treatment.

Ancillary Codes

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

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

Z08
Use for follow-up visits specifically for surveillance after leukemia treatment.

Differential Codes

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

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia in remission

C91.11
Use C91.11 if leukemia is in remission but still under surveillance or treatment.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting History of Leukemia to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code Z85.71.

Impact

Clinical: Misrepresentation of patient's current health status., Regulatory: Potential for audit discrepancies., Financial: Incorrect billing leading to denied claims.

Mitigation Strategy

Review patient history and current status before coding.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to improper reimbursement., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate patient records affecting data quality.

Mitigation Strategy

Verify if the leukemia is truly resolved or still in remission.

Impact

Using remission codes for resolved cases can trigger audits.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation clearly differentiates resolved from remission status.

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 Leukemia, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for History of Leukemia

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

Oncology follow-up visit

Specialty: Oncology

Required Elements

  • Patient history
  • Treatment timeline
  • Current lab results
  • Follow-up plan

Example Documentation

Patient is 5 years status post induction chemotherapy for AML (2019). Last bone marrow biopsy (3/2025) shows <5% blasts with normal cytogenetics. No transfusion requirements. Plan: Annual CBC.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
History of leukemia.
Good Documentation Example
History of CLL treated with chemotherapy in 2018, currently in remission with normal CBC and no evidence of disease.
Explanation
The good example provides specific treatment history, current remission status, and lab results.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for History of Leukemia? Ask your questions below.

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