Summary & Overview
CPT 3382F: Colon Cancer, Stage 0 (Carcinoma in Situ)
CPT code 3382F indicates a documented diagnosis of colon cancer at stage 0 (carcinoma in situ) in patients aged 18 years or older. This stage denotes malignant cells confined to the epithelial lining of the colon and carries implications for early intervention, surveillance, and coding accuracy across outpatient and ambulatory oncology settings. Nationally, clear capture of stage 0 colon cancer supports population-level monitoring of early detection and impacts quality reporting and care coordination.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical meaning of the code, the expected service settings where this diagnosis is documented, and the role of accurate staging in claims and quality measurement. The publication also summarizes commonly expected benchmarks and policy considerations relevant to oncology documentation and coding practices, highlights where data is available, and notes where input data was not provided.
This guidance is intended for national audiences including clinicians, coding professionals, health plan analysts, and policy makers seeking a clear reference to CPT code 3382F, its clinical context, and how it is used in billing and reporting workflows.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 3382F documents a diagnosis of colon cancer, stage 0 (carcinoma in situ) for patients 18 years of age or older. The description specifies that cancer cells are limited to the epithelial layer (lining) of the colon, consistent with carcinoma in situ.
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Service type: Diagnostic diagnosis documentation and cancer staging
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Typical site of service: Outpatient oncology clinic, hospital outpatient department, surgical clinic, or other ambulatory care settings where pathology and staging are documented
Data not available in the input for modifiers, associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and service line.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 62-year-old patient presents to a gastroenterology clinic after a routine screening colonoscopy identified a small, localized lesion. Biopsy confirms carcinoma in situ of the colon (malignant cells confined to the epithelial layer). The provider documents the diagnosis as colon cancer, stage 0, and records findings, histopathology results, and a recommended surveillance and treatment plan in the medical record. Typical workflow includes outpatient evaluation by a gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon, review of colonoscopy and pathology reports, staging confirmation (clinical stage 0), documentation in the problem list, coordination with pathology and oncology as needed, and scheduling of endoscopic surveillance or local resection if indicated. Typical site of service is an outpatient clinic or ambulatory surgery center. Service type is diagnostic and documentation of cancer staging and management planning for early-stage colon cancer.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
25 | Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician on the same day of the procedure | Use when a distinct E/M visit is performed and documented the same day as a diagnostic or therapeutic endoscopic procedure related to the colon cancer visit |
59 |