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ICD-10 Guide
DiagnosesAdenomatous Polyp Of Colon

Adenomatous Polyp Of Colon

ICD-10 Coding for Adenomatous Polyp of Colon(D12.0, D12.2)

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

Diagnosis Overview

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

Key Clinical Considerations:

  • Presence of adenomatous polyps identified during colonoscopy or imaging studies.
  • Symptoms may include rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, or abdominal pain, although many patients are asymptomatic.
  • Physical examination may reveal signs of anemia or abdominal tenderness.
  • Colonoscopy findings typically show polyps that may be tubular, tubulovillous, or villous in histology.
  • Severity is often assessed based on the size, number, and histological type of the polyps.

Clinical Information

Clinical Criteria & Documentation Requirements

  • Complete medical history including family history of colorectal cancer or polyps.
  • Specific terminology such as 'adenomatous polyp' must be used in documentation.
  • Examples include: 'Patient has a 1 cm tubular adenoma in the sigmoid colon.'
  • Documentation must support the medical necessity for procedures like colonoscopy.
  • Quality measures may include documenting follow-up intervals for surveillance colonoscopy.

Coding Guidelines

Usage Guidelines & Examples

  • Use D12.0 for adenomatous polyps of the colon when diagnosed during screening or symptomatic evaluation.
  • Do not use this code for hyperplastic polyps or other non-adenomatous types.
  • D12.2 is used for adenomatous polyps of the rectum; ensure correct localization.
  • Common errors include misclassifying polyps as malignant or failing to specify the type.
  • In complex cases, consider the patient's history and the specific findings from diagnostic tests.

Code Exclusions

Important Exclusions

  • Exclude codes for malignant neoplasms of the colon (C18.0-C18.9).
  • Use D12.7 for other specified benign neoplasms of the colon.
  • Conditions are excluded to ensure accurate representation of benign versus malignant lesions.
  • Common mistakes include coding adenomatous polyps as malignant without biopsy confirmation.
  • Related conditions include colorectal cancer and other types of polyps.

Related ICD-10 Codes

Primary Codes
D12.0
Adenomatous polyp of colon
D12.2
Adenomatous polyp of rectum
Ancillary Codes
Z12.11
Differential Codes
K63.5
K63.5
for non-adenomatous 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 colorectal polyps or family history of colorectal cancer.
  • Typically affects adults aged 50 and older, but younger patients may also be diagnosed.
  • Clinical settings include outpatient gastroenterology clinics and inpatient surgical units.
  • Relevant for gastroenterology specialists and primary care providers.
  • Used in treatment contexts involving 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 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 biopsy showing tubular adenoma.'

Template 4

Template: 'Treatment plan initiated for adenomatous polyp with scheduled colonoscopy for surveillance.'

Template 5

Template: 'Follow-up care for adenomatous polyp including monitoring for new polyp development.'

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 the type of polyp, size, location, and any relevant symptoms.

How does this differ from similar diagnoses?

Adenomatous polyps are precursors to colorectal cancer, unlike hyperplastic polyps which are generally benign.

What are common billing considerations?

Ensure that the procedure codes for colonoscopy and polypectomy are supported by the diagnosis.

What procedures are typically associated?

Commonly associated CPT codes include 45378 for colonoscopy and 45385 for polypectomy.

Are there any quality reporting implications?

Quality measures may include tracking follow-up colonoscopy intervals and polyp pathology results.