How To Use CPT Code 3388F

CPT 3388F describes the documentation of stage III colon cancer in patients 18 years of age or older. This article will cover the description, official details, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples.

1. What is CPT Code 3388F?

CPT 3388F can be used to document the stage III colon cancer in patients who are 18 years of age or older. This code is used to indicate that the tumor has invaded any layer of the colon, may have attacked other organs or structures, and includes regional lymph node involvement.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 3388F is: ‘AJCC colon cancer, Stage III documented (ONC)’. This code is used to document the stage III colon cancer in patients 18 years of age or older.

3. Procedure

1. The provider diagnoses a patient, 18 years of age or older, with colon cancer and documents it as stage III.
2. The provider records the stage of colon cancer and the date of the measurement in the patient’s healthcare record.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients who are 18 years of age or older and have been diagnosed with stage III colon cancer are eligible for CPT 3388F. This code is used to document the extent of the tumor invasion, involvement of regional lymph nodes, and any other relevant information related to the stage III colon cancer.

5. When to use CPT code 3388F

CPT code 3388F should be used to document the stage III colon cancer in patients who are 18 years of age or older. It should be reported at least once within a year to indicate the presence of stage III colon cancer.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 3388F, the provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s age, diagnosis of stage III colon cancer, and the date of the measurement
• Details about the tumor invasion, lymph node involvement, and any other relevant information related to the stage III colon cancer
• Signature of the provider documenting the information

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 3388F, ensure that the patient is 18 years of age or older and has been diagnosed with stage III colon cancer. This code should be reported at least once within a year to indicate the presence of stage III colon cancer. It should not be reported with other codes unless necessary.

8. Historical information

CPT 3388F was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2010. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A 50-year-old patient diagnosed with stage III colon cancer.
2. An 65-year-old patient with documented stage III colon cancer.
3. A 70-year-old patient with stage III colon cancer.
4. An 80-year-old patient diagnosed with stage III colon cancer.
5. A 55-year-old patient with documented stage III colon cancer.
6. A 60-year-old patient diagnosed with stage III colon cancer.
7. An 75-year-old patient with stage III colon cancer.
8. An 85-year-old patient diagnosed with stage III colon cancer.
9. A 58-year-old patient with documented stage III colon cancer.
10. A 68-year-old patient diagnosed with stage III colon cancer.