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ICD-10 Coding for History of Melanoma(Z85.820, Z12.83)

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

Also known as:

Hx of MelanomaMelanoma in Remissionpersonal history malignant melanoma

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to History of Melanoma

Z85.820Primary Range

Personal history of malignant melanoma of skin

Used when melanoma is resolved and the patient is under surveillance without active treatment.

Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasms of skin

Used for screening visits post-melanoma treatment.

Malignant melanoma of skin

Used for active melanoma cases or when the patient is undergoing treatment.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
Z85.820Personal history of malignant melanoma of skinUse when melanoma is resolved and the patient is under surveillance without active treatment.
  • Pathology report confirming excision with negative margins
  • No systemic therapy in past 6 months
Z12.83Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasms of skinUse for routine skin cancer screenings.
  • Documented screening intent

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 melanoma

Essential facts and insights about History of Melanoma

The ICD-10 code for a personal history of malignant melanoma of the skin is Z85.820. It is used when the melanoma is resolved and the patient is under surveillance.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for history of melanoma

Personal history of malignant melanoma of skin
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Patient has completed treatment and is under surveillance.

coding Criteria

  • No active treatment or recurrence of melanoma.

Applicable To

  • History of malignant melanoma

Excludes

  • Current malignant melanoma (C43.x)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Pathology report confirming excision with negative margins
  • No systemic therapy in past 6 months

Code-Specific Risks

  • Misclassification as active melanoma

Coding Notes

  • Ensure documentation clearly states 'history of' to avoid confusion with active melanoma.

Ancillary Codes

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

Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasms of skin

Z12.83
Use for screening visits post-melanoma treatment.

Differential Codes

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

Malignant melanoma of skin

C43.x
Use C43.x if the melanoma is active or the patient is undergoing treatment.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting History of Melanoma to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code Z85.820.

Impact

Clinical: Potential mismanagement of patient care., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Incorrect coding leading to reimbursement issues.

Mitigation Strategy

Use specific language such as 'history of' and include treatment details.

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect DRG assignment leading to potential overpayment., Compliance: Non-compliance with ICD-10 coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate patient records and risk adjustment scores.

Mitigation Strategy

Use Z85.820 for history of melanoma when no active treatment is ongoing.

Impact

Using active melanoma codes for resolved cases.

Mitigation Strategy

Regular training on ICD-10 guidelines and documentation review.

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

Documentation Templates for History of Melanoma

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

Annual melanoma surveillance visit

Specialty: Dermatology

Required Elements

  • Patient history
  • Physical examination findings
  • Surveillance plan

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient had skin cancer before.
Good Documentation Example
Patient presents for annual skin check. History of malignant melanoma of the left shoulder, excised in 2020 with clear margins. No evidence of recurrence.
Explanation
The good example provides specific details about the melanoma history and current surveillance status.

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

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