CPT® does not make it easy to locate codes for destruction of lesion(s). These codes are found in multiple chapters throughout the CPT® book, and are … [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...]
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...]
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...]
Codes for skin biopsies
CPT updated certain skin biopsy codes in 2019 The codes for excision of benign and malignant lesions did not change, and codes for shave biopsies … [Read more...]
Coding for biopsy | Should we wait for a pathology report?
Question: Should we always wait for the pathology report before submitting a code for a biopsy? Answer: Sometimes. Wait for the pathology … [Read more...]
Selecting CPT® rules for excision of skin lesions
Many medical practices perform skin procedures. A patient may see a dermatologist, a family physician or a surgeon when the time comes to find out, … [Read more...]
Destruction of benign or pre-malignant lesions
Finding the right code for lesion destruction is not easy. The codes are distributed in the CPT® book in the integumentary, digestive, male genital … [Read more...]
Reporting Excision of Multiple Lesions of the Same Size
Question: The doctor I work with excised two benign lesions from a patient’s arm, of the same length. Do I add them together and report one code? … [Read more...]
Coding for Excision of Benign or Malignant Lesions
This article reviews codes and guidelines for excision of skin lesions. For additional information about minor procedures, see the additional … [Read more...]