Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of colon

This code signifies a patient encounter specifically for the purpose of screening for colorectal cancer in an asymptomatic individual. It indicates that the patient is undergoing a preventive examination to detect early signs of malignancy in the colon.

Apply this code when a patient presents for a routine colonoscopy, fecal occult blood test (FOBT), or other screening method for colon cancer, without any current signs or symptoms suggestive of the disease. This is typically used for age-based or risk-factor based screening programs.

• Always sequence this code as the primary diagnosis when the sole reason for the encounter is screening.
• Do not use this code if the patient has symptoms or a personal history of colon cancer; in such cases, a definitive diagnosis or history code would be more appropriate.
• Ensure supporting documentation clearly states the purpose of the visit as screening for colon malignancy.