Wiki 17000 and 17003

[sprince]

I am hoping to get some comments on a ongoing discussion we are having in our office. There are a few different view points when it comes to interpretation of a destruction of pre-malignant lesions using 17000 and 1700. It is my understanding that the first lesion is 17000 and then the next second thru 14 lesions and then 17004 if you have 15 or more using just those codes once. But here is the debate. 17003 reads (each) so some say to put it in for every lesion starting with the second thru 14. I would appreciate any and all view points on this. Thank you in advance for your time.

Sandy

 

[Pam Warren]

CPT states that code 17003 is for "each" lesion (2-14). So if you have 12 pre-malignant lesions, you'd code 17000 x 1 and 17003 x 11.

Pam Brooks, PCS, CPC
Physician Services Coding Supervisor
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital
Dover, NH

 

[mitchellde]

I know that a lot of folks do use units, however the codes states to list separately, and I have seen denials for units out of range. Now here is the good part, I advised one physician practice in Ohio to stop using units and bill each line, they did and they tracked the reimbursement, the claims without the units were paying higher than when they did use them. so for 5 destructions I would advise
17000
17003
17003 59
17003 59
17003 59
Al the way to up to 14 line items.