November 12, 2020 Question: I heard that the E/M code guidelines are changing in 2021. Will this apply to all E/M codes? Answer: Good question. The 2021 changes will NOT apply to all E/M codes. The 2021 changes apply only to the new patient, 9920x, and established patient, 9921x, categories of codes. That means you...
October 29, 2020 Question: I need some help. The physician made an incision over a cyst was able to remove the contents in total or by piece meal. Would this be considered an excision of a benign lesion? Answer: Yes, it would be considered a benign lesion excision using a code from category 11400-11446. Make...
October 15, 2020 Question: A Medicare patient came in last week and my doctor did a biopsy on the chest and it came back malignant and meets the Medicare criteria for MOHS surgery. The patient came in today and he performed a level 3 E/M visit and did MOHS surgery in 2 stages. I am...
October 1, 2020 Question: Can I report CPT code 67850 when liquid nitrogen is used to destroy a lesion in the lid margin? Answer: The CPT code definition for 67850 specifies the lid margin (Destruction of lesion of lid margin (up to 1 cm). If the lesion is in the margin, report CPT 67850 but...
September 17 , 2020 Question: What diagnosis code should I use for malignant melanoma of the left cheek? Answer: You should report C43.39. Since there is not a specific code for the melanoma of the cheek C43.39 (Malignant melanoma of other parts of face) is the appropriate choice. *This response is based on the best...
September 3 , 2020 Question: When using liquid nitrogen to for irritated actinic keratoses what CPT codes should I use? I have been using 17110 and my coder told me that was wrong. Answer: You should report 17000 for the first AK (Destruction (eg, laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement), premalignant lesions (eg, actinic...
August 20 , 2020 Question: My physician performed a lesion excision on the scalp which measured 0.8 cm and performed cryosurgery on the neck and destroyed 2 lesions. The lesion on the scalp he documented as benign. Can I report both procedures? Answer: Yes, you would report CPT code 11421 for the benign lesion excision...
August 6 , 2020 Question: What HCPCS codes can I report when the physician administers EXPAREL after the procedure in the office? I cannot find the code. Answer: Exparel is a nerve block and is sometimes used in the office as part of the surgical procedure and is included in the practice expense for the...
July 23 , 2020 Question: Is this a new patient visit? I saw a new patient last week in the ED for a wound infection and reported my service with the ED code 99284. He came into the office today for a new patient office visit. I documented a detailed history and examination and prescribed...
July 9 , 2020 Question: My physician removed a soft tissue tumor on the patient’s foot measuring 1.2 cm. Documentation indicates subcutaneous. He is coding this as a benign excision and wants to report CPT code 11422. Can you tell me if this is correct? Answer: The correct CPT code to report is CPT code...
