AADA successfully advocates for new malignant neoplasm diagnostic code

The AADA advocated for you and got a new diagnostic code for reporting follow-up encounters for patients with malignant neoplasms. It can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The approved ICD-10-CM code Z08 allows dermatologists to report primary diagnosis and proper history of malignant neoplasm treated for patient follow-up encounters after completed treatment for malignant neoplasms, even with no additional findings. These patients must not present with any other problem other than the history of malignant neoplasm.

In 2020, the AADA asked to create a new ICD-10-CM code set to report follow-up encounters after completed treatment for malignant neoplasm. After three years of advocacy, the Centers for Disease Control’s National Center for Vital Health Statistics approved our request on July 13, 2023.

Dermatologists were permitted to start reporting these encounters on Oct. 1, 2023. Learn more about reporting with code Z08.