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Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Coding Quiz:

3 Scenarios Avoid Excision Coding Pitfalls

Published on Sun Sep 06, 2009

Use this simple trick to reporting re-excisions during global period. Coding all services involved in a lesion removal can quickly lead you into "gray" areas, such as determining whether you should report a separate E/M service when performing minor excisions in the office. Use these three case studies to understand how you should handle confusing lesion coding scenarios. Compare your answers with our experts' on page 83. Code These 3 Scenarios Scenario 1: A family physician (FP) refers a patient to your ENT for excision of a "mole" on the patient's left cheek. The ENT suspects that the mole is a small basal cell carcinoma (which is later confirmed by pathology). She performs an excision to remove the lesion, which measures 0.9 cm with margins, in the office. She then closes the wound via simple repair and releases the patient. How should you report this? Scenario 2: The FP refers [...]
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