Dermatology Coding Alert

Question: Our dermatologist removed two lipomas from a patient's back using suction cannula. The dermatologist incised areas and used the suction cannula to remove the fatty tissue. I reported 15877 for the procedure. Does this code include all areas on the trunk or would you bill the code twice for the two separate sites?

Delaware Subscriber

Answer: The code does not specify "each" so you should report the code (15877, Suction assisted lipectomy; trunk) only once even though the dermatologist removed two lipomas from the patient's back.

-- Answers to You Be the Coder and Reader Questions were reviewed by Linda Martien, CPC, CPC-H, National Healthcare Review in Woodland Hills, Calif.