CodingIntel

Medical coding resources for physicians and their staff. CodingIntel was founded by consultant and coding expert Betsy Nicoletti.

Fine needle aspiration: new codes in 2019

In 2019, CPT® changed the definition of code 10021 and deleted 10022.

Read on for a review of these changes, as well as examples and additional resources from CodingIntel.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy

  • Material is aspirated with a fine needle and the cells are examined cytologically
  • Core needle biopsy is performed with a larger bore needle to obtain a core sample
  • Use code 10021 for FNA without imaging guidance, first lesion
  • New CPT® codes include imaging guidance
  • Add-on codes for additional lesions, also defined by type of imaging guidance used for the procedure

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Additional resources

Watch this on-demand webinar “Coding for minor surgical procedures” for a review of coding rules related to lesion destruction, laceration repair, wound care, removal of foreign body and other common in-office procedures. Webinars are free for members.

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Relevant Search Terms: CPT® codes 10004—10012, changes to coding for FNA, imaging guidance and FNA
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Our mission is to provide accurate, comprehensive, up-to-date coding information, allowing medical practices to increase revenue, decrease coding denials and reduce compliance risk. That's what coding knowledge can do.

In 1988, CodingIntel.com founder Betsy Nicoletti started a Medical Services Organization for a rural hospital, supporting physician practice. She has been a self-employed consultant since 1998. She estimates that in the last 20 years her audience members number over 28,400 at in person events and webinars. She has had 2,500 meetings with clinical providers and reviewed over 43,000 medical notes. She knows what questions need answers and developed this resource to answer those questions. For more about Betsy visit www.betsynicoletti.com.

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