Internal Medicine Coding Alert
Removal: No Incision Means No 10120
PDF
Question: My physician documented that a tick was embedded in the patient’s abdomen. He anesthetized the area and removed the tick by shaving. His notes don’t mention any type of incision. Can we report the 10120 or 10121 codes?
Answer: No. The removal of an outside element or foreign body (such as a tick, ring, or splinter) from the skin that does not require incision is considered part of the management of the problem; therefore, you should not report a code such as 10120 (Incision and removal of foreign body, subcutaneous tissues; simple) or 10121 (… complicated), which, by definition, requires and incision. Instead, simply use the appropriate evaluation and management (E/M) code for the encounter.
West Virginia Subscriber
Internal Medicine Coding Alert
- Preventive Services:
Separate Problem Can Be Billed During a Well Check Visit
Watch for significant and separately reportable service that could boost pay. When a patient comes [...] - ICD-10:
4 J Code Options Help You Identify Strep Throat Diagnoses
Wait for lab results before assigning the final code. ICD-9 coding: When using the ICD-9-CM [...] - Billing:
Waiving Co-pays: Beware of The Fallouts
Tip: Get your own verification of financial hardship. Every physician wants to collect his due [...] - You Be the Coder:
Billing Same-Day Physician/Nurse Practitioner Services
Question: Our nurse practitioner (NP) is working with our internal medicine physician in the same [...] - Reader Question:
Penalties Could Be On Your Way for Illegible Documentation
Question: My physician’s handwriting really is difficult to read sometimes, and I’m nervous because I’ve [...] - Reader Question:
Watch Details While Deciding Between Levels 4 and 5 E/M
Question: We have enough details for an encounter to reach these levels:
- Reader Question:
Removal: No Incision Means No 10120
Question: My physician documented that a tick was embedded in the patient’s abdomen. He anesthetized [...] - Reader Question:
Look at 917.2 for Toe Blister Diagnosis
Question: What is the correct diagnosis for an ischemic blister of the right great toe? [...] - Reader Question:
Choose V13.3 for Atypical Nevus Diagnosis
Question: I can’t seem to find a clear diagnosis code for personal history of atypical [...] - Reader Question:
Do Not Bill 92504 With 69210
Question: The physician cleared cerumen impaction from the patient’s left ear and purulent drainage from [...]