Wiki Attempted Excision

[dballard2004]

A provider attempted to excise a cyst. The provider made an incision but did not remove the cyst because he thought it to be a lipoma that had roots that extended to the muscle, so he sutured the patient and sent him to a general surgeon.

How would you code for the attempted removal of a cyst ot the left forearm? The provider thought it was a sebaceous cyst, but later thought it was lipoma. Would you use an excision code with modifier 52?

All thoughts appreciated. Thanks.

 

[FTessaBartels]

modifier 53

I'd use modifier -53 for a procedure that was discontinued.

Hope that helps.

F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CEMC

 

[dballard2004]

Thanks so much!