Articles

Spotlight on up-to-date coding

Diagnosis Coding for Dermatology

Diagnosis notes for dermatology Be sure to match the diagnosis to the procedure. For example, For skin tag removal, use skin tag For … [Read more...]

Coding for Breast Procedures: Biopsy, Localization Devices, and Surgery

From biopsy to localization device to mastectomy, coding for breast procedures can be challenging. This article summarizes the rules related to these … [Read more...]

Overview of Medicare Telehealth Services

Please see the Telemedicine article for the rules and guidelines for use during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Medicare covers some … [Read more...]

Repair (closure) CPT^® 12001–13160–2020 update

Laceration or wound repair codes are reported based on the type of repair (simple, intermediate, complex), the anatomic location, and the length … [Read more...]

Describe the Exam | E/M Services for Dermatology

ARCHIVE The 1995/1997 Documentation Guidelines are gone beginning 1-1-2023. (Ding dong....) However we will still need to use them when auditing … [Read more...]

Coding for Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Mohs surgery is performed to remove complex or ill-defined skin cancer, and the procedure includes both the surgery and histopathologic examination. … [Read more...]

Other Dermatologic Procedures

This aricle reviews the codes and guidelines for these dermatologic procedures; Intralesional injections, photodynamic therapy, phototherapy, and … [Read more...]

Modifier 51 or 59? How to Know Which to Bill?

Modifier 51 and 59 are both used on second and subsequent surgical procedures, when performed on the day of a primary procedure See also Modifier … [Read more...]

Shaving of Epidermal or Dermal Lesions

The chart below includes CPT® codes, and descriptions for shaving epidermal and dermal lesions. After the chart, there are important key points to … [Read more...]

Coding for Destruction of Malignant Lesions

The primary factors in selecting a code for destruction of malignant lesions are: Size of lesion (not defect) Location Method is not a … [Read more...]

Virtual Communication: HCPCS Codes G2010, G2012, G2250, G2251, G2252

Virtual communications are not considered telehealth These HCPCS codes were developed by CMS for virtual communication They are not on CMS's … [Read more...]

CPT® Codes for Fine Needle Aspiration

Fine needle aspiration biopsy Material is aspirated with a fine needle and the cells are examined cytologically Core needle biopsy is … [Read more...]

Skin Biopsies

Correctly selecting and reporting skin biopsies requires an understanding of CPT® codes for skin biopsies There are codes for excision of benign … [Read more...]

Intensive Behavioral Counseling for Cardiovascular Disease, HCPCS Code G0446

Medicare pays a primary care physician or other primary care practitioner in a primary care setting to annually provide one face-to-face behavioral … [Read more...]

Screening for Depression | HCPCS Code G0444

G0444 Annual depression screening , 5—15 minutes According to Change Request 13710, beginning January 1, 2025, Medicare pays primary care practices … [Read more...]

Behavioral Counseling for Obesity, HCPCS Code G0447

G0447 face-to-face behavioral counseling for obesity, 15 minutes G0473 Face-to-face behavioral counseling for obesity, group (2-10) 30 … [Read more...]

Emergency Department Visits

Definition Emergency department (ED) services are E/M services provided to patients in the Emergency Department. Explanation These services … [Read more...]

Advance Care Planning | CPT^® 99497, 99498

Advance Care Planning (ACP) 99497 Advance care planning including the explanation and discussion of advance directives such as standard forms (with … [Read more...]

Exam | Documentation Guidelines for E/M Services

ARCHIVE The 1995/1997 Documentation Guidelines are gone beginning 1-1-2023. (Ding dong....) However, we will still need to use them when auditing … [Read more...]

Using Time to Select a Level of E/M Service