Q: The pathology report for a colon resection reports the circumferential resection margin is 2 mm. What is the correct code for Colon CS SSF 6 (CRM)? A: Code 020 not 002. Refer to Colon CS SSF6 Note 4 and round to the nearest tenth in millimeters the distance between the leading edge of the tumor and the nearest edge of surgically dissected margin as recorded…
Send us your Questions!
Our QC team loves a challenge! We receive questions from our own CTRs, our clients, and often colleagues regarding coding challenges. Fortunately for our teams, we have each other and a QC manager assigned to each project. The QC managers have years of experience and the personality to continue to research until they find an answer! Our quarterly QC newsletter provides our most recent tips, but…
Q&A: TNM and SEER Summary Staging
Q: What is the SEER Summary stage for a patient diagnosed with metastatic disease to the bone and brain but a primary site is not identified (C80.9) – Unknown Primary Site. A: Code 9 – Unknown. Per the Seer Summary Stage manual, page 281, the stage would be unknown as the primary site is unknown/not stated therefore the summary stage cannot be determined. Q: In…
Q&A: Radiation Coding
Q: A breast cancer receives a modified radical mastectomy and is referred for subsequent radiation therapy. The patient receives 5000 cgy in 25 fxs to the left chest wall and 1000 cgy in 5 fxs as a boost to the chest wall scar. What is the code for the radiation treatment volume? A: Code 20 Chest Wall. Per FORDS page 240, code 20 encompasses the chest…