Encounter for screening for lower gastrointestinal disorder

This code signifies a patient visit specifically for the purpose of detecting potential lower gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in the absence of current symptoms or a known diagnosis. It covers proactive evaluations aimed at identifying conditions affecting the colon, rectum, or anus before they become clinically apparent.

Apply this code when a patient presents for routine screening procedures such as a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, or for laboratory tests like fecal occult blood tests, as part of a general health maintenance program. This is appropriate for individuals without a personal history of lower GI disease but who meet age-based or risk factor-based screening guidelines.

• Do not use this code if the patient is presenting with symptoms suggestive of a lower GI disorder; instead, code the presenting symptoms.
• This code is for the reason for the encounter, not the findings of the screening.
• Remember the Excludes1 note: do not use for screening for intestinal infectious diseases.