Extract your need-to-knows about new tumor excision codes
Published on Sat Nov 28, 2009
Choose the correct 20xxx code and potentially boost your pay by $120 or more. CPT 2010 introduces a slew of new and revised musculoskeletal codes related to tumor excision. Watch these areas to ensure you're ready to code your orthopedist's work correctly when the time comes. Don't Get Tripped Up Over 4 Details John F. Bishop, PA-C, CPC, with Bishop and Associates in Tampa, Fla. offers this front-end advice for grasping the changes: • Determination point: The code levels are distinguished by size. Some have 3 cm as the dividing point between codes, but others are based on 5 cm. • Depth: The codes differentiate between subfascial, subcutaneous, and radical resection levels. "'Deep' or 'subcutaneous' means the doctor is going below the fascia," Bishops says. "It's very clear by the codes and is good to finally have it in writing." • Lesion type: You don't have to be reporting a [...]
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