Aftercare following surgery for neoplasm

This code signifies a patient receiving ongoing medical care and monitoring after undergoing a surgical procedure to remove a cancerous tumor. It indicates that the primary treatment for the neoplasm was surgical excision, and the current encounter is for follow-up related to that surgery. This aftercare aims to manage surgical recovery, detect recurrence, and address any long-term effects of the surgery or cancer.

Use this code for encounters where a patient is seen for post-operative care following the surgical removal of a malignant or benign neoplasm. This includes routine follow-up visits, wound care, monitoring for complications directly related to the surgery, or assessment of the surgical site. It is appropriate when the cancer itself is no longer actively being treated (e.g., chemotherapy, radiation) but the surgical aftercare is the focus.

• Always sequence a code from category Z85 (Personal history of malignant neoplasm) or Z86.0 (Personal history of in situ neoplasm) as a secondary diagnosis to indicate the type and site of the original cancer.
• Do not use this code if the patient is receiving active treatment for the neoplasm (e.g., chemotherapy, radiation therapy); instead, code the active treatment and the neoplasm.
• This code is for aftercare following surgery; if the aftercare is for other forms of treatment (e.g., radiation), a more specific aftercare code should be used.