Z12.11 – Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of colon

Z12.11 Diagnosis Code: Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of colon

The Z12.11 is an ICD code included in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM), and it is used to designate “Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of colon.”

This code is considered to be unacceptable as a principal diagnosis. This is because the circumstance that a patient is undergoing is affecting their health. However, it is not because of a current illness or injury. In the context of this ICD-10 code, the cause could be due to a malignant neoplasm of the colon. Emphasis on “could be” because no one is sure yet. That’s what the screening is for.

Is the Z12.11 billable?

Yes, the Z12.11 ICD-10 code is billable and can be used to designate a patient for reimbursement purposes.

Z12.11 clinical information:

Malignant neoplasm means a tumor is cancerous. In the context of this ICD-10 code, malignant neoplasm refers to a cancerous tumor in a patient’s colon.

The Z12.11 ICD-10 code is used for patients who undergo screening for this type of cancerous tumor. This examination is probably a colonoscopy, which involves a healthcare professional examining a patient's rectum and colon using a colonoscope to detect polyps and irregularities. A colonoscope is an instrument resembling a tube that has a light and lens for visualizing the colon.

Typically, professionals and healthcare providers performing colonoscopies can often suspect the presence of a malignant neoplasm in the colon. However, to confirm the diagnosis, they also perform separate procedures known as biopsies to determine whether the neoplasm is benign or malignant.

To reiterate, this ICD-10 code is unacceptable as a principal diagnosis considering that it is just a screening examination. Patient’s getting screened for such a problem may not even have signs and symptoms of a malignant neoplasm of the colon, and whatever is affecting their health may be something else entirely.

Z12.11 synonyms include:

• Encounter for screening colonoscopy NOS

Other ICD-10 codes commonly used for screening malignant neoplasms:

• Z12 - Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasms
• Z12.0 - Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of stomach
• Z12.1 - Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of intestinal tract
• Z12.10 - Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of intestinal tract, unspecified
• Z12.12 - Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of rectum
• Z12.13 - Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of small intestine
• Z12.2 - Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of respiratory organs
• Z12.31 - Encounter for screening mammogram for malignant neoplasm of breast
• Z12.4 - Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of cervix
• Z12.5 - Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of prostate