Screening for skin conditions

This code indicates an encounter for the purpose of screening for various skin conditions, such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or other dermatological abnormalities. It is used when a patient presents without specific symptoms or complaints related to a skin condition, but rather for a routine check-up or preventive examination.

This code is appropriate for routine skin cancer screenings, often performed annually, especially for individuals with risk factors like a history of excessive sun exposure, numerous moles, or a family history of skin cancer. It can also be used for general dermatological check-ups where the primary intent is to screen for any potential skin issues.

• Do not use this code if the patient presents with a specific skin lesion or symptom requiring diagnosis and treatment.
• Always sequence this code as the primary diagnosis when screening is the sole reason for the encounter.
• Consider adding a Z-code from ICD-10-CM (e.g., Z12.83 for encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of skin) if transitioning to the newer code set.