January 23, 2020 Question: What CPT code should you report for laser removal of a keloid scar? What should be documented in the procedure note? Answer: You would report 17110. Documentation should always include: Indications for procedures Risks/Benefits Document location of lesion/keloid destroyed CM size of lesion before removal/destruction Method of destruction Detail of the...
January 9, 2020 Question: My provider insists on calling some lesions uncertain behavior because he is suspicious of cancer. This is before the pathologist has given a report. Should these be coded as uncertain behavior or unspecified? Answer: Uncertain behavior is a diagnosis that should only be assigned by a pathologist (with a path report)....
December 19, 2019 Question: Our coder sometimes uses measurements listed in the pathology report for lesion excisions, because the measurements are unclear or missing in the procedure note. Is this ok? Answer: No, for several reasons. Once removed, tissue(s) shrink so don’t depend on the measurements listed in the pathology report as it will most...
December 5, 2019 Question: How do we code for 2 separate incisional biopsies – one on the back and another on the patient’s lower lip? Do we use 11106 and 11107 or 11106 and 40490? Do we need any modifiers to make sure the claim is paid? Answer: If all are incisional biopsies (not tangential...
November 14, 2019 Question: What is the definition of simple vs complicated for the I&D codes 10060 versus 10061? Answer: While CPT doesn’t define the difference between “simple” and “complicated”, it is the accepted practice that a simple I&D 10060 is just that. An incision (not just a puncture) is performed, and the abscess is...
October 31, 2019 Question: If I see a new patient in consultation for a suspicious skin lesion and release them to their primary care provider and they come back to see my partner for eczema one year later on their own, can she report the encounter as a new patient visit? We are the same...
October 17, 2019 Question: CPT question for anatomy: When coding complex repairs CPT 13100-13102 for complex repair of trunk. What body area is included in the “Trunk”. For simple and intermediate repairs the trunk is included with the scalp, extremities, neck, axillae and trunk. Answer: You can determine the answer by looking at the code...
October 3, 2019 Question: Does this code description require a scalpel? If you do a punch excision – margins are clear. Can that be billed as excision ? Does excision require a scalpel? A patient got a bill and she is a nurse and claims it should be a punch biopsy. Answer: The excision codes...
September 19, 2019 Question: Do you have to await the pathology report in order to assign the diagnosis of benign or malignant for a lesion; when reporting destruction codes 17000-17111 or any lesion removal codes? Answer: There are multiple answers to your question depending on which piece is addressed. I will try to address them...
September 5, 2019 Question: Our physicians have instructed us to bill under a physician’s NPI number for all Advanced Practitioners (PA’s and NPs) for all patients for Medicare as we follow incident-to billing. We have been submitting claims for all new and established patient visits regardless of whether there is a physician in the office....
