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ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesAdenomatous Colon Polyp

Adenomatous Colon Polyp

ICD-10 Coding for Adenomatous Colon Polyp(D12.2, Z86.010)

PRIMARY SPECIALTYGastroenterology
COMPLEXITYHigh
LAST UPDATED09/15/2025
Sam Tuffun, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist | Medical Coding & Billing Contributor

Diagnosis Overview

What is Adenomatous Colon Polyp?
Essential facts and insights about Adenomatous Colon Polyp

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Presence of adenomatous polyps identified during colonoscopy or imaging studies.
  • Histological examination confirming the presence of adenomatous tissue.
  • Physical examination may reveal no specific findings; however, symptoms such as rectal bleeding or changes in bowel habits may be present.
  • Imaging findings may include polyps seen on colonoscopy or CT colonography.
  • Severity criteria include the size of the polyp (e.g., >1 cm) and histological features (e.g., tubular vs. tubulovillous vs. villous adenomas).

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Complete medical history and physical examination findings must be documented.
  • Specific terminology such as 'adenomatous polyp' must be used in the documentation.
  • Examples include: 'Colonoscopy revealed a 1.5 cm tubular adenoma in the sigmoid colon.'
  • Documentation must demonstrate medical necessity for procedures performed, such as surveillance colonoscopy.
  • Quality measures may include documentation of follow-up intervals for surveillance based on polyp characteristics.

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Use D12.2 for adenomatous polyps of the colon when diagnosed during screening or surveillance.
  • Do NOT use this code for hyperplastic polyps or other non-adenomatous polyps.
  • Comparison with K63.5 (polyp of colon) may be necessary; K63.5 is a more general code.
  • Common errors include coding adenomatous polyps as malignant or misidentifying the type of polyp.
  • In complex cases, consider the patient's history of polyps and any previous interventions when selecting codes.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Exclude codes for hyperplastic polyps (D12.5) and malignant neoplasms (C18.9).
  • Alternative codes for excluded conditions include K63.5 for unspecified polyps.
  • Conditions are excluded due to differing histological characteristics and management protocols.
  • Common mistakes include misclassifying hyperplastic polyps as adenomatous.
  • Related but distinct conditions include sessile serrated adenomas and colorectal cancer.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
D12.2
Adenomatous polyp of colon
Z86.010
Personal history of colonic polyps
Ancillary Codes
Z12.11
Differential Codes
K63.5
K63.5
for unspecified or hyperplastic polyps.

Related CPT Codes

CPT codes will be available in a future update.

Specialty Focus

Primary Specialty

Gastroenterology

Specialty Applications

  • Patients with a history of adenomatous polyps or colorectal cancer.
  • Typically affects adults aged 50 and older, with increased risk in those with family history.
  • Clinical settings include outpatient gastroenterology clinics and inpatient surgical units.
  • Specialty-specific applications are relevant in gastroenterology and oncology.
  • Used in treatment contexts such as surveillance colonoscopy and polypectomy.

Coding Complexity

High Complexity

This diagnosis requires careful attention to:

  • Comprehensive clinical documentation
  • Accurate code selection based on clinical criteria
  • Proper exclusion considerations
  • Specialty-specific coding guidelines

Documentation

Documentation Templates

Template 1

Template: 'Patient diagnosed with adenomatous colon polyp based on colonoscopy findings.'

Template 2

Template: 'Clinical presentation consistent with adenomatous polyp including rectal bleeding.'

Template 3

Template: 'Diagnostic criteria met as evidenced by histological examination of polyp.'

Template 4

Template: 'Treatment plan initiated for adenomatous polyp with scheduled follow-up colonoscopy.'

Template 5

Template: 'Follow-up care for adenomatous colon polyp including monitoring for recurrence.'

Billing Information

Billing Considerations

  • Ensure proper documentation for billing
  • Verify code specificity requirements
  • Check for any additional codes needed
  • Review payer-specific guidelines

Common Issues

  • Insufficient clinical documentation
  • Incorrect code selection
  • Missing supporting diagnoses
  • Timing and frequency documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What documentation is required for this diagnosis?

Documentation must include findings from colonoscopy, histopathology reports, and any relevant patient history.

How does this differ from similar diagnoses?

Adenomatous polyps are precursors to colorectal cancer, while hyperplastic polyps are generally benign and not considered precursors.

What are common billing considerations?

Ensure that the medical necessity for colonoscopy and polypectomy is clearly documented to optimize reimbursement.

What procedures are typically associated?

Commonly associated procedures include colonoscopy and polypectomy, with relevant CPT codes such as 45385.

Are there any quality reporting implications?

Quality measures may include tracking follow-up intervals for patients with adenomatous polyps based on their risk stratification.