Can someone please shed some light on how they code dexa scans. Here is the scenario:

Pt presents for baseline dexa, clinical indication of breast cancer and is post menopausal. Since the pt is positive for breast cancer and is post menopausal would this be considered a diagnostic exam eventhough the pt is not presenting with any current bone density signs or symptoms? per coding guidelines the exam would no longer be considered a screening if pt is symptomatic. But this is the patients Baseline exam. I fully understand that chemo and being postmenopausal presents its own bone density issues but since this is the baseline should it not be a screening with the clinical indications listed secondary?

Thanks for any and all input!!

Amber