Surgical procedures, modifiers, and the global package

CMS and CPT both define the components of the global surgical package to include certain pre-op, intra-op, and post-op services. Learn what is included in the single payment, what may be reported separately and how to do it.

Lesion Destruction Tip Sheet

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...]

Can we bill an E/M service with a scheduled endoscopy?

Question: Can we charge an E/M service when we do a scheduled endoscopy to account for the cost of nursing staff, supplies, pre- and post- care of … [Read more...]

In-office GYN Procedures | Webinar

Recorded September 26, 2019 Clinicians in gynecology practices and family practices frequently perform in-office gynecological procedures. This … [Read more...]

Surgical Coding for Hernia Repair

An abdominal hernia is a protrusion of part of the intestines through a weakened section of the abdominal cavity; herniations can occur in other parts … [Read more...]

Procedure Coding for Colonoscopies

“A colonoscopy is the examination of the entire colon, from the rectum to the cecum, and may include the examination of the terminal ileum or small … [Read more...]

Everyday Dermatology Coding

Everyday Dermatology Coding is a 52 page guide to coding dermatology services. Members can download the guide using the link below. This … [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...]

Coding Skin Procedures in Dermatology, Family Practice and Urgent Care | Webinar

Recorded February 21, 2019 Many practitioners would rather do a skin procedure than code for the service. Skin procedures aren’t just a staple of … [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...]

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...]

Using Time to Select a Code | Dermatology

Some Evaluation and Management codes, and some other codes are defined by the amount of time of the service. This article reflects the rules for using … [Read more...]

Excisions of benign and malignant lesions | Dermatology

Skin lesion excisions are reported using codes from the integumentary section: Excision of benign lesions: 11400—11471 Neoplasms … [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?

There are two modifiers commonly used in surgical specialties when billing two or more procedures at the same encounter. Appending the correct … [Read more...]

Coding multiple procedures | Examples with modifiers

Biopsies and lesion destruction codes are often performed at the same patient visit. This leads to questions about bundling and modifiers. There are … [Read more...]

Shaving of epidermal or dermal lesions

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

Using Modifier 59 | Quick Reference

Modifier 59 is referred to by CMS as the modifier of last resort. It is often used when modifier 51 is the more accurate modifier. This quick … [Read more...]