Encounter for preprocedural laboratory examination

This code signifies a patient encounter specifically for laboratory tests performed prior to a planned medical procedure. These tests are typically conducted to assess the patient's overall health, identify potential risks, or confirm suitability for the upcoming intervention.

Apply this code when a patient presents for blood work, urinalysis, or other diagnostic lab tests ordered as part of a pre-operative or pre-procedural workup. This includes encounters for routine pre-surgical screenings or specific tests required before a diagnostic procedure.

• Always sequence this code as a secondary diagnosis, following the primary reason for the planned procedure (e.g., the condition requiring surgery).
• Do not use this code if the laboratory tests are being performed to diagnose a new condition or monitor an existing one, unrelated to a specific upcoming procedure.
• Ensure documentation clearly states the purpose of the lab tests is "pre-procedural" or "pre-operative."