AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2006 Issue 4; VOLUMES 1 AND 2 NEW/REVISED CODES
Abnormal Tumor Markers
Effective October 1, 2006, a new subcategory (795.8) has been created to report abnormal tumor markers. Elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) already has a unique code number (790.93), but there was insufficient room at subcategory 790.9 to include other tumor markers. Tumor markers are substances produced by tumor cells or other cells of the body and can be found in abnormal amounts in the blood, urine or tissues of some cancer patients. Researchers have identified more than a dozen substances that are abnormal in some types of cancers. Tumor markers are used in the detection, diagnosis...
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Article Overview
This article explains the scope of a new ICD-9-CM subcategory for abnormal tumor markers and discusses how the topic relates to marker-specific reporting. It is relevant to coders, compliance staff, and clinical documentation teams working with cancer-related laboratory findings and diagnosis coding updates. The article includes background on tumor markers, mentions the effective date of the change, and identifies the related code family and exclusions.
Why This Topic Matters
Accurate identification of abnormal tumor marker findings affects diagnosis coding for cancer-related testing and follow-up documentation. The article helps readers recognize the applicable code family and understand the general clinical context behind these findings without relying on the full premium text.
Article Sections
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Overview of abnormal tumor markers
Introduces the new subcategory and provides general background on tumor markers and their role in cancer-related assessment.
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Marker-specific discussion: CEA
Covers one marker-specific code topic and the general clinical context associated with that laboratory finding.
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Marker-specific discussion: CA 125
Covers another marker-specific code topic and the general clinical context associated with that laboratory finding.
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New subcategory and related codes
Summarizes the new subcategory, related marker groups, an exclusion note, and the additional code options referenced in the article.
What You Will Learn
- The general purpose of the abnormal tumor marker code category
- How the article frames marker-specific reporting topics
- What clinical context is associated with the marker findings discussed
- Which broader coding update and effective date are referenced
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Clinical documentation specialists
- Revenue cycle staff
- Oncology billing teams
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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