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ICD-10 Coding for History of Skin Cancer(Z85.820, Z85.828)

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

Also known as:

Personal History of Skin CancerPast Skin Cancerhx skin cancer

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to History of Skin Cancer

Z85.820-Z85.828Primary Range

Personal history of malignant neoplasm of skin

These codes are used to document a patient's history of skin cancer, indicating that the cancer has been treated and is no longer active.

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 has been treated and there is no ongoing treatment.
  • Documented history of melanoma excision
  • No evidence of disease on follow-up
Z85.828Personal history of other malignant neoplasm of skinUse when non-melanoma skin cancer has been treated and is no longer active.
  • Pathology report confirming excision
  • No current lesions on examination

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 skin cancer

Essential facts and insights about History of Skin Cancer

The ICD-10 code for a history of skin cancer is Z85.820 for melanoma and Z85.828 for non-melanoma skin cancers.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for history of skin cancer

Personal history of malignant melanoma of skin
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Patient has completed treatment and is under surveillance.

Applicable To

  • History of melanoma

Excludes

  • Current melanoma (C43._)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Documented history of melanoma excision
  • No evidence of disease on follow-up

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly coding active melanoma as history

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 with Z85.820 to indicate follow-up care.

Differential Codes

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

Malignant melanoma of skin

C43._
Use C43._ if the melanoma is currently being treated or is active.

Other malignant neoplasms of skin

C44._
Use C44._ if the non-melanoma skin cancer is currently being treated or is active.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting History of Skin Cancer 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 for mismanagement of patient care., Regulatory: Non-compliance with documentation standards., Financial: Denied claims due to insufficient documentation.

Mitigation Strategy

Use specific language in notes., Include treatment dates and current status.

Impact

Reimbursement: Claims may be denied if Z12.83 is used incorrectly., Compliance: Non-compliance with payer policies., Data Quality: Inaccurate representation of patient history.

Mitigation Strategy

Use Z85.820 or Z85.828 with Z08 for follow-up instead.

Impact

Using history codes for active cancer cases.

Mitigation Strategy

Verify treatment completion and document NED 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 Skin Cancer, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for History of Skin Cancer

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

High-risk skin cancer surveillance

Specialty: Dermatology

Required Elements

  • History of present illness
  • Physical exam findings
  • Assessment and plan

Example Documentation

Patient with history of melanoma, excised 3/2023, no evidence of recurrence on current exam. Annual surveillance protocol initiated.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Skin check, had cancer before.
Good Documentation Example
History of stage II melanoma excised 3/2023, NED on exam. Annual surveillance per guidelines.
Explanation
The good example specifies cancer type, treatment date, and current status.

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

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