Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC)

Which of the following conditions should be coded with a history of code?

1. Hypertension managed on medication

2. Breast cancer undergoing radiation treatment

3. Colon cancer resected two years ago

4. Long history of oxygen-dependent COPD

The correct answer is: Colon cancer resected two years ago

The correct choice pertains to the coding convention surrounding conditions that are no longer active but have had a significant impact on a patient's health history. When a condition has been treated and resolved, such as colon cancer that has been resected two years ago, it is appropriate to use a history of code. This indicates that while the patient may have had the disease, it is not currently active. Such coding captures the patient's medical history, which is important for risk adjustment and understanding the patient's overall health status. In this context, the other options pertain to currently managed or ongoing conditions. For example, hypertension managed on medication suggests that the condition is actively being treated, and coding it as a history would be inappropriate. Similarly, breast cancer undergoing radiation treatment signifies that the condition is active and being directly addressed. Finally, a long history of oxygen-dependent COPD implies that the patient is currently reliant on oxygen, making it an active health issue rather than one that should be coded as a history. Thus, choosing the option related to colon cancer reflects correct coding practices regarding current and historical health conditions.