Unspecified vs. Uncertain Behavior Skin Lesion Diagnosis Code

Question:

Can you refresh my memory on when to use the diagnosis code for skin lesion “uncertain behavior” vs “uncertain behavior”?  I know one is to be used before we get pathology results and one is for after, I just don’t remember which is which.  If you could give me the ICD10 codes that would be great too.

Answer:

You’ll use an “unspecified” diagnosis code when you do not have a final path report – D49.2 is for unspecified behavior lesion of the skin. Use the “uncertain” behavior diagnosis code when histologic confirmation whether the neoplasm is malignant or benign cannot be made by the pathologist.  Look up the path report diagnosis in the ICD-10-CM Index to if you have a path report.  Use D48.5 is for uncertain behavior of the skin.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 01/09/20.