coding history of malignant lesions

I was told that when you bill a history of malignant skin cancer, Z85.828, you need to use code Z08 first. Is this correct?

re: coding history of malignant lesions

Are you working in ICD-10?

re: coding history of malignant lesions

No - just setting up how to bill in our office.

re: coding history of malignant lesions

Just wondering.

The way to find the answer to this question is to have an ICD-10 book.

If I look at the Z85.828 code, I flip back to the category Z85.- There are notes underneath that code that are relevant to all of the codes in Z85. It says, Code first any follow-up examination after treatment of malignant neoplasm (Z08).

When I go to Z08 it confirms to code in addition codes from Z85.-

If I hadn't found the answer there, I would have looked at the notes if any at the start of the chapter and the notes in the general guidelines at the start of the book.

Having said that, I would watch my payers. They may not follow all of the ICD-10 conventions and may want the Z85.- code first.

And, today, the Senate is set to vote on the SGR bill which currently includes delaying ICD-10 until Oct 1 2015.