ICD-10 Codes for Lung Cancer Screening: Updated 2025 List
Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide, but early detection through Lung cancer screening can save lives. For healthcare providers, accurate ICD-10 coding is crucial to ensure correct billing, documentation, and compliance.
This updated 2025 guide from Best Writes Links covers all the key ICD-10 codes for lung cancer screening, supporting documentation rules, and billing guidelines you need to know.
💡 What Is Lung Cancer Screening?
Lung cancer screening is a preventive test that helps detect lung cancer early — often before symptoms appear. The most effective and standard test used is Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT).
According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), annual LDCT screening is recommended for:
- Adults aged 50–80 years
- Individuals with a 20 pack-year smoking history or more
- Current smokers or those who quit within the past 15 years
This early detection method increases the chance of successful treatment and can significantly reduce mortality rates.
🧠 Why ICD-10 Coding Is Important
Accurate ICD-10 coding is vital for lung cancer screening because it helps:
- Prove medical necessity for the screening
- Ensure insurance reimbursement
- Maintain accurate patient records..
- Avoid billing errors or claim denials.
Each ICD-10 code describes the purpose of the visit and the patient’s condition, ensuring transparency and compliance in the billing process.
🩺 Primary ICD-10 Code for Lung Cancer Screening
The main ICD-10 code for preventive lung cancer screening is:
➡️ Z12.2 — Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of respiratory organs
✅ Use Z12.2 when:
- The patient is asymptomatic (no symptoms of cancer)
- The purpose of the visit is preventive screening..g
- The provider orders an LDCT for early detection.ion
Example:
A 60-year-old current smoker with a 25-pack-year history undergoes an LDCT for annual screening.
Code: Z12.2 — Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of respiratory organs
This code identifies the screening as a preventive service and not a diagnostic test.
⚕️ Supporting ICD-10 Codes for Smoking History
Because tobacco use is the leading risk factor for lung cancer, documentation must include the patient’s smoking history. Supporting ICD-10 codes helps demonstrate medical necessity for screening and is often required by payers.
Standards supporting codes include:
- F17.210 — Nicotine dependence, cigarettes, uncomplicated
- F17.211 — Nicotine dependence, in remission
- Z87.891 — Personal history of nicotine dependence
Example combination:
- Z12.2 — Lung cancer screening encounter
- F17.210 — Current smoker
Including both codes provides a clear and compliant picture for insurers.
🩹 Abnormal Findings or Follow-Up Codes
If the LDCT screening identifies abnormal findings, additional ICD-10 codes should be used:
- R91.1 — Solitary pulmonary nodule
- R91.8 — Other nonspecific abnormal findings of the lung field
If lung cancer is diagnosed, switch to C34.x codes (malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung), specifying the site such as upper, middle, or lower lobe.
💼 ICD-10 and Billing Guidelines for 2025
For 2025, correct ICD-10 usage and documentation remain essential for compliance and reimbursement.
Diagnosis Codes:
- Z12.2 — Screening for malignant neoplasm of respiratory organs
- F17.210 / Z87.891 — Smoking or nicotine dependence codes
Procedure Code (HCPCS):
- G0297 — Low-Dose CT scan for lung cancer screening
Documentation Should Include:
- Patient’s age and smoking history
- Screening intent (preventive, not diagnostic)
- Provider’s recommendation for annual LDCT
Insurance Coverage:
Medicare and most private insurers cover one LDCT scan per year for eligible patients when the above codes and documentation are included.
⚠️ Common Coding Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Using diagnostic instead of screening codes
🚫 Missing tobacco use or history documentation
🚫 Not linking Z12.2 with G0297 procedure
🚫 Leaving out the preventive purpose in notes
Avoiding these mistakes ensures faster approvals and accurate claim reimbursement.
🌿 Final Thoughts
Correct ICD-10 coding for lung cancer screening ensures compliance, accurate documentation, and timely reimbursement. The main code Z12.2 should always be paired with a smoking history code, such as F17.210 or Z87.891, to justify medical necessity.
Following the updated 2025 ICD-10 list and documentation rules allows healthcare providers to deliver quality preventive care while maintaining billing accuracy.
At Best Writes Links, we help healthcare professionals stay informed with simplified and accurate medical guides to support compliance and proper coding.
