Advanced Search

Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Removal of Facial Lymph Node

Published on Thu Jun 01, 2000

Question: How do I code for the removal of a lymph node from the jaw and face area?

California Subscriber

Answer: The lymph nodes in the jaw and face area are superficial to (and occasionally embedded in) the parotid gland, and should be coded as 38500 (excision of superficial lymph node[s]) even when they have to be dissected out of the gland, says Eric Sandham, CPC, a compliance educator with Central California Faculty Medical Group in Fresno, Calif. If the approach begins from underneath the mandible (jawbone) and involves limited upper cervical (neck) dissection, they could represent a cervical lymph node excision (38510) or suprahyoid lymphadenectomy (38700). Jugular lymph nodes are located adjacent to the sternocleidomastoid muscles (the large muscles that go up either side of the neck), and would be coded 38542 if they were excised.
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Otolaryngology Coding Alert

View All