Encounter for prophylactic surgery (Z40)

The ICD-10 code Z40 series is used to report patient encounters specifically for prophylactic surgery, which involves preventive removal of organs or tissues to reduce the risk of developing cancer. This includes surgeries like preventive mastectomy or oophorectomy performed before any cancer diagnosis.

These codes cover various types of prophylactic operations, such as Z40.01 for prophylactic removal of the breast, Z40.02 for ovary removal, and Z40.03 for fallopian tube removal. The general Z40.0 code indicates prophylactic surgery addressing risk factors related to malignant neoplasms. Codes like Z40.00 and Z40.09 apply to the removal of unspecified or other organs as a preventive measure. The codes Z40.8 and Z40.9 allow documentation when the specific prophylactic surgery type is other or unspecified. These codes assist healthcare providers and coders in accurately documenting encounters aimed at cancer risk reduction through surgery, often linked to conditions like familial cancer syndromes. Using the correct ICD-10 code for prophylactic surgery ensures precise medical recordkeeping and billing related to preventive surgical care.