PCS 7th Character of X-Diagnostic
By: Anne M. Pavlik, RHIT
Senior Education Consultant
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Coding guideline B3.4 of the ICD-10-PCS Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting states that the qualifier Diagnostic is used only for biopsies. AHA Coding Clinic®, First Quarter 2014, Lumbar drainage Port Aspiration clarified that a qualifier value of “X” is assigned if the objective of the procedure is diagnostic and a qualifier value of “Z” is assigned if the objective of the procedure is therapeutic.
The reference indicated the next version of the guidelines would be revised so the qualifier value of “X” could be used whenever the objective of the procedure is diagnostic. Given the year delay in the ICD-10 start date, the FY2015 CMS and NCHS guidelines do not contain this change.
If you have any questions about this coding tip, please feel free to email us.
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