2025 ICD-10-CM code Z12.11
Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of colon.
Medical necessity for screening colonoscopies is generally established by guidelines based on age and risk factors.Screening is important for early detection of colon cancer, which is more treatable in its early stages.
The clinician is responsible for performing and documenting the screening colonoscopy procedure and providing appropriate follow-up care based on the findings.
- 21 (Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services (Z00-Z99))
- Z12.11 is a child code of Z12.1, Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasms of the colon, rectum, and anus.
In simple words: This code is used when you have a colonoscopy to check for colon cancer as a precaution, even if you don't have any symptoms.
This code is used to document an encounter for a screening colonoscopy to detect colon cancer when no signs or symptoms are present.
Example 1: A 50-year-old patient with no symptoms and no family history of colon cancer presents for a routine screening colonoscopy., A 45-year-old patient with a family history of colon cancer presents for a screening colonoscopy earlier than the recommended age of 50 due to increased risk., A 60-year-old patient with a personal history of colon polyps presents for a surveillance colonoscopy.
The documentation should include the indication for the screening, the procedure performed, and the findings (normal or abnormal).If any abnormalities are detected, they should be documented with appropriate diagnostic codes.
** Z codes represent reasons for encounters. A corresponding procedure code must accompany a Z code if a procedure is performed. Nonspecific abnormal findings disclosed during the screening are classified to R70-R94.Excludes1: examinations related to pregnancy and reproduction (Z30-Z36, Z39.-)
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Gastroenterology, General surgery, Family medicine, Internal medicine
- Place of Service:Ambulatory Surgical Center, Inpatient Hospital, Office, Outpatient Hospital