neoplasm aftercare

when a patient is admitted for removal of neoplasm. the neoplasm has been excised, do I code the primary diagnosis aftercare for neoplasm with secondary diagnosis code the neoplasm code or just the aftercare code? Patient did not recieve chemo or radiation therapy.

re: neoplasm aftercare

For the admission and procedure at which the neoplasm was removed, I'd use the neoplasm code.

re: neoplasm aftercare

The aftercare codes would come into play during post-operative visits to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment. In the case of a surgical excision, you'd want the V code for the surgery for the neoplasm site. You might also want a second DX code for the follow up for the surgery on the system itself.

But I would agree that for the actual admission/procedure you would want the neoplasm code because it is still care being provided at that point.