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what is the difference between uncertain behavior and unspecified

by Alf Kassulke Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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uncertain behavior is a dx that is rendered by the pathologist when the cellular activity observed is uncertain at to its morphology. Unspecified is sometimes called a working dx, and is used when a preliminary diagnostic workup is inconclusive, most commonly used when the decision comes back as a tumor. You use the unspecified dx until further workup reveals the morphology of the anomoly.

Answer: You'll use an “unspecified” diagnosis code when you do not have a final path report – D49. 2 is for unspecified behavior lesion of the skin. Use the “uncertain” behavior diagnosis code when histologic confirmation whether the neoplasm is malignant or benign cannot be made by the pathologist.Jan 9, 2020

Full Answer

What does uncertain behavior mean in pathology?

uncertain behavior is a dx that is rendered by the pathologist when the cellular activity observed is uncertain at to its morphology. Unspecified is sometimes called a working dx, and is used when a preliminary diagnostic workup is inconclusive, most commonly used when the decision comes back as a tumor.

What is the difference between inconclusive and uncertain behavior?

inconclusive is unspecified not uncertain. I would agree with Debra, "uncertain" behavior is a type of behavior that a pathologist dx, basically meaning that at this time they are not able to determine whether the behavior is malignant or not. With "unspecified" this means that the behavior is not stated by the pathologist.

What is the ICD 10 code for uncertain behavior?

Use the “uncertain” behavior diagnosis code when histologic confirmation whether the neoplasm is malignant or benign cannot be made by the pathologist. Look up the path report diagnosis in the ICD-10-CM Index to if you have a path report. Use D48.5 is for uncertain behavior of the skin.

What is a skin neoplasm of uncertain behavior?

A skin neoplasm of uncertain behavior is a skin growth whose behavior can’t be predicted. This diagnosis is only reached after your doctor has conducted a biopsy and sent the sample to a pathologist for examination. There’s no way to know whether it will develop into cancer or not. What is the difference between uncertain behavior and unspecified?

What is an uncertain behavior?

What does "unspecified" mean in a pathologist?

Can you use an unspecified DX for anomoly?

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What does uncertain behavior mean in medical terms?

What is uncertain behavior? In addition to being labelled as malignant or benign, some neoplasms are categorized as having uncertain behavior. This means your doctor needs more information to determine whether your neoplasm is malignant or benign. In other words, they don't know whether it has the potential to spread.

What is neoplasm of uncertain behavior unspecified?

“Neoplasm of uncertain behavior” is frequently documented to describe a mass that is awaiting confirmatory biopsy results. While this interim diagnosis may seem clinically accurate, it is not an appropriate use of the diagnostic code.

What does unspecified mean in medical terms?

An “unspecified” code means that the condition is unknown at the time of coding. An “unspecified” diagnosis may be coded more specifically later, if more information is obtained about the patient's condition. Example: There are multiple codes for hypothyroidism.

Can the terms uncertain behavior and unspecified behavior can be used interchangeably?

A diagnosis of uncertain histologic behavior is a legitimate diagnosis. It means that the lesion is currently benign, but could become malignant over time. This diagnosis, uncertain behavior, is not to be confused with unspecified in the neoplasm table. Guideline I.A.

When do you code uncertain behavior?

Use the “uncertain” behavior diagnosis code when histologic confirmation whether the neoplasm is malignant or benign cannot be made by the pathologist. Look up the path report diagnosis in the ICD-10-CM Index to if you have a path report. Use D48.

What is the difference between neoplasm and a tumor?

When reading about health topics, you might come across the word “neoplasm,” which is actually another word for tumor. A tumor is a mass made up of cells that have divided abnormally. While being diagnosed with a neoplasm or tumor sounds ominous, it's important to know that not all are cancerous.

What does unspecified mean in a mental health diagnosis?

An unspecified diagnosis is used when a clinician has determined that a child's challenges fall within a certain group of disorders, but it's not clear exactly which diagnosis in that group best suits the child.

What is an unspecified disorder?

The unspecified mood disorder applies to presentations in which symptoms predominate that are characteristic of a depressive disorder and cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

What is unspecified in psychology?

'Other Specified' and 'Unspecified' An example of "other specified" might be a depressive episode that does not have the full number of symptoms to meet the formal diagnosis. By contrast, "unspecified" might be used in a situation in which there isn't enough information to make a more specific diagnosis.

Is unspecified behavior undefined behavior?

Undefined Behavior results in unpredicted behavior of the entire program. But in unspecified behavior, the program makes choice at a particular junction and continue as usual like originally function executes.

What does neoplasm of uncertain behavior vs basal cell carcinoma mean?

Neoplasm of uncertain behavior is a term used by Dr. Chris Rouse when he is not sure what the spot is on the skin but is concerned it could be skin cancer. Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer.

What does neoplasm of unspecified behavior of bone soft tissue and skin mean?

A skin neoplasm of uncertain behavior is a skin growth whose behavior can't be predicted. This diagnosis is only reached after your doctor has conducted a biopsy and sent the sample to a pathologist for examination. There's no way to know whether it will develop into cancer or not.

What does neoplasm of unspecified behavior of bone soft tissue and skin mean?

A skin neoplasm of uncertain behavior is a skin growth whose behavior can't be predicted. This diagnosis is only reached after your doctor has conducted a biopsy and sent the sample to a pathologist for examination. There's no way to know whether it will develop into cancer or not.

What does the term neoplasm mean?

(NEE-oh-PLA-zum) An abnormal mass of tissue that forms when cells grow and divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Neoplasms may be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer).

What does a neoplasm look like?

A visible neoplasm may look exactly like your skin or be a different color or texture. Neoplasms are usually painless, but they can sometimes hurt or bleed. This is how a neoplasm differs from other conditions such as warts. Neoplasms usually grow very slowly.

How is uncertain neoplasm coded?

An uncertain neoplasm is reported after the pathologist's report, not when sending the specimen for biopsy. According to ICD-10, there are specific categories of codes that are used for neoplasms of uncertain behavior. They are: D37.

Neoplasm of Uncertain Behavior | Medical Billing and Coding Forum - AAPC

Since we don't have access to the medical records, we won't know if documentation supports that Dx. This is my quandary. Sometimes the requisition has differential diagnoses of this vs that, but then has the Dx code of D48.5, which is not acceptable since D48.5 would not be used in those circumstances.

Question - Neoplasm of uncertain behavior versus neoplasm of ... - AAPC

I was taught that D48.5 Neoplasm of uncertain behavior of skin should only be used when the pathologist cannot determine if a neoplasm is benign or malignant. It is a specific code to be utilized after a histologic determination has been made, not a code to be used at the time the sample is obtained.

What does unspecified behavior of skin mean | Answers from Doctors ...

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What is neoplasm of uncertain behavior - HealthTap

"what is: neoplasm of uncertain behavior of skin? is it usually mean cancer?" Answered by Dr. Myron Arlen: Not really: The term "neoplasm of uncertain behavior" refers to a spec...

Neoplasm of Uncertain Behavior - Dr. Chris Rouse - Northland Dermatology

Neoplasm of uncertain behavior is when Dr. Chris Rouse is uncertain of what a spot on the skin is, but is concerned it could be a form of skin cancer.

What is an uncertain behavior?

uncertain behavior is a dx that is rendered by the pathologist when the cellular activity observed is uncertain at to its morphology. Unspecified is sometimes called a working dx, and is used when a preliminary diagnostic workup is inconclusive, most commonly used when the decision comes back as a tumor. You use the unspecified dx until further ...

What does "unspecified" mean in a pathologist?

With "unspecified" this means that the behavior is not stated by the pathologist.

Can you use an unspecified DX for anomoly?

You use the unspecified dx until further workup reveals the morphology of the anomoly. for instance when the physician states it is a tumor then we can know that the physician knows this is not a cyst or an abcess but is definitely neoplastic but yet to be specified by definitive workup as to benign or malignant.

What is an uncertain behavior?

uncertain behavior is a dx that is rendered by the pathologist when the cellular activity observed is uncertain at to its morphology. Unspecified is sometimes called a working dx, and is used when a preliminary diagnostic workup is inconclusive, most commonly used when the decision comes back as a tumor. You use the unspecified dx until further ...

What does "unspecified" mean in a pathologist?

With "unspecified" this means that the behavior is not stated by the pathologist.

Can you use an unspecified DX for anomoly?

You use the unspecified dx until further workup reveals the morphology of the anomoly. for instance when the physician states it is a tumor then we can know that the physician knows this is not a cyst or an abcess but is definitely neoplastic but yet to be specified by definitive workup as to benign or malignant.

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1.Pinpoint Difference Between Unspecified, Uncertain …

Url:https://www.aapc.com/codes/coding-newsletters/my-otolaryngology-coding-alert/you-be-the-coder-pinpoint-difference-between-unspecified-uncertain-behavior-156213-article

32 hours ago  · The difference between a tumor and a neoplasm is that a tumor refers to swelling or a lump like swollen state that would normally be associated with inflammation, ... in-situ, of …

2.Neoplasm/ uncertain vs. unspecified - AAPC

Url:https://www.aapc.com/discuss/threads/neoplasm-uncertain-vs-unspecified.28820/

13 hours ago  · So, unspecified behavior means that the physician is currently unable to determine the behavior of the neoplasm. Uncertain behavior, on the other hand, is actually a …

3.Solved What are the differences between a neoplasm of

Url:https://www.chegg.com/homework-help/questions-and-answers/differences-neoplasm-uncertain-behavior-versus-one-unspecified-behavior-q3663138

20 hours ago  · uncertain behavior is a dx that is rendered by the pathologist when the cellular activity observed is uncertain at to its morphology. Unspecified is sometimes called a working …

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