Skin Lesion Excision – Wait for Pathology?

Question:

I’ve heard you say to wait for the pathology report in order to bill for the skin lesion excision codes 114xx (benign) and 116xx (malignant)? What if I have a biopsy report – do I still need to wait?

Answer:

Good question – no you do not need to wait if you have a biopsy pathology report showing a malignancy for that lesion. You can go ahead and use the malignant diagnosis and CPT codes for the excision.

Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Procedures – Different Days

Question:

We are going to be doing bilateral carpal tunnel procedures on a patient – the right side will be done first then the left will be done 8 weeks later. Should I use modifier 58 (staged procedure) on the 2nd procedure?

Answer:

Actually, it’s best to use modifier 79 (unrelated procedure in a global period) because the left side (2nd procedure) is unrelated to the right side (1st procedure). Be sure to use the laterality specific ICD-10-CM codes – G56.01 (Carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper limb) and G56.02 (Carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper limb) – for the respective procedures.

Takeback to OR

Question:

I had to take a patient back to the operating room 6 weeks after breast reduction to excise a small dehiscence and close the wound. Can I bill for this?

Answer:

Yes, you may bill for the service and you’ll need to use modifier 78 (return to the OR for a related procedure) on your billed code(s). Most payors will reduce your payment by a small percentage (20 – 30%) but you’ll stay in the same 90-day postoperative global period as the breast reduction procedure.

Spinal Wound Closure with Flaps

Question:

One of our spine surgeons has asked me to help with an upcoming case. The patient is obese and has had multiple prior spine procedures. The spine surgeon would like me to close using bilateral paraspinal muscle flaps. How do I code the procedure and will I even get paid?

Answer:

Good question because some closure is included in the spine procedure codes. The type of closure included in most surgical procedure codes is classified as simple, intermediate or complex repairs. Simply put, bringing the wound edges together directly is included in surgical procedure codes (except excision of skin lesion codes). You’re doing more than bringing the wound edges together so you are allowed to code for the procedure and you should be paid. You’ll use 15734 for one side and 15734-59 for the contralateral side.

Gender Reassignment “Top” Surgery Coding

Question:

We are having a debate on whether to use a mastectomy code or breast reduction code for “top” female-to-male procedures. What’s your advice?

Answer:

Unfortunately, we do not have a specific CPT code(s) for these procedures as the existing codes were not written with these procedures in mind. Our advice is to consult the payor’s medical coverage policy and determine the payor’s preference for how to code for the procedure you’re performing.

Level 5 Office E/M Code

Question:

I was told that if I recommend surgery then I can automatically bill 99205 or 99215. This seems too good to be true. Please advise.

Answer:

You’re right – you’ve been given inaccurate information. Remember, office visit codes (99202 – 99205, 99212 – 99215) require meeting or exceeding two of the three Medical Decision Making elements. The third element, Risk, is where recommending surgery is relevant. You still need to meet one of the remaining two elements – Problems Addressed or Data – to get to the level 5 codes which require high Problems Addressed, extensive Data, and high Risk.