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ICD-10 Coding for Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Testing(R97.20, Z12.5, Z85.46)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Testing. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

PSA ScreeningElevated PSA

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Testing

R97.2-R97.29Primary Range

Abnormal tumor markers

This range includes codes for abnormal PSA levels, which are crucial for diagnosing elevated PSA.

Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasms of prostate

This code is used for PSA screening purposes, especially in asymptomatic patients.

Personal history of malignant neoplasm of prostate

This code is used for patients with a history of prostate cancer, relevant in PSA monitoring post-treatment.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
R97.20Elevated prostate specific antigen [PSA]Use when PSA levels are elevated but no cancer diagnosis is confirmed.
  • PSA level above normal range (typically >4 ng/mL)
  • Absence of symptoms like dysuria or hematuria
Z12.5Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of prostateUse for routine PSA screening in asymptomatic patients.
  • Patient is asymptomatic
  • Screening is part of routine check-up
Z85.46Personal history of malignant neoplasm of prostateUse for patients with a history of prostate cancer, especially in follow-up visits.
  • Documented history of prostate cancer
  • Patient is in remission

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 elevated PSA

Essential facts and insights about Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Testing

The ICD-10 code for elevated PSA is R97.20, used when PSA levels are above normal without a confirmed cancer diagnosis.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for psa

Elevated prostate specific antigen [PSA]
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • PSA level is elevated without symptoms of prostate cancer.

Applicable To

  • Elevated PSA without a confirmed diagnosis

Excludes

  • Prostate cancer (C61)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • PSA level above normal range (typically >4 ng/mL)
  • Absence of symptoms like dysuria or hematuria

Code-Specific Risks

  • Using this code without documented PSA levels can lead to denials.

Coding Notes

  • Ensure PSA levels are documented in the patient's chart.

Ancillary Codes

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

Personal history of malignant neoplasm of prostate

Z85.46
Use when monitoring PSA in patients with a history of prostate cancer.

Family history of malignant neoplasm of prostate

Z80.42
Use when there is a family history of prostate cancer.

Differential Codes

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

Benign prostatic hyperplasia with lower urinary tract symptoms

N40.1
Use when symptoms like nocturia or urinary retention are present.

Elevated prostate specific antigen [PSA]

R97.20
Use R97.20 when PSA is elevated and not part of routine screening.

Malignant neoplasm of prostate

C61
Use C61 for active prostate cancer cases.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Testing to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code R97.20.

Impact

Clinical: Leads to incomplete patient records., Regulatory: May result in coding errors and compliance issues., Financial: Can cause claim denials due to lack of specificity.

Mitigation Strategy

Always include PSA values in documentation, Ensure context is provided for elevated levels

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding can lead to claim denials., Compliance: Using active cancer codes for history cases violates coding guidelines., Data Quality: Misrepresents patient history in medical records.

Mitigation Strategy

Use Z85.46 for history of prostate cancer instead.

Impact

Reimbursement: Medicare denies claims when screening codes are used with diagnostic findings., Compliance: Violates Medicare's coding rules for PSA tests., Data Quality: Leads to inaccurate data on screening vs. diagnostic tests.

Mitigation Strategy

Use 84153 for diagnostic PSA tests.

Impact

Using screening codes for diagnostic purposes can trigger audits.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation clearly differentiates between screening and diagnostic tests.

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 Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Testing, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Testing

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Testing. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

PSA Monitoring in Urology

Specialty: Urology

Required Elements

  • Current PSA level
  • Symptoms
  • DRE findings
  • Plan for follow-up

Example Documentation

PSA Monitoring Note - Current PSA: ___ ng/mL (prior: ___ ng/mL on [date]) - Symptoms: [✅/❌] Hematuria | [✅/❌] Urinary retention | [✅/❌] Bone pain - DRE Findings: [✅/❌] Nodularity | [✅/❌] Asymmetric enlargement - Plan: □ Repeat PSA in 3-6 months (84153) □ TRUS biopsy if PSA velocity >0.75 ng/mL/year □ Referral to oncology if [condition]

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
PSA checked.
Good Documentation Example
PSA of 9.2 ng/mL (reference range: 0-4 ng/mL) in asymptomatic male.
Explanation
The good example provides specific PSA values and context, improving clinical clarity.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Testing? Ask your questions below.

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