Wiki Coding information

[TLVANDERPOOL]

I am needing help in finding any coding information/guidelines for plastic's ex.. books, coding seminars, web sites etc... I had a physican preform a "small breast reduction" and said that since he only removed 100g of tissue that it is not considered a breast reduction? They also did a mastopexy and according to the medicare cci edits a breast reduction (19318) is mutually exclusive of a mastopexy (19316). I am fairly new at coding these and would like to find more information and guidance for coding these types of procedures. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[sundaey]

info

Hello,
Is this all on the same breast? You may get away with billing for both if they are on different breasts.


Try and get a coders' desk reference book to go along with your cpt book. As for books, you can always check this website for a conference/seminar in your city, sometimes they sell books.

Good luck!

 

[Susan]

I am needing help in finding any coding information/guidelines for plastic's ex.. books, coding seminars, web sites etc... I had a physican preform a "small breast reduction" and said that since he only removed 100g of tissue that it is not considered a breast reduction? They also did a mastopexy and according to the medicare cci edits a breast reduction (19318) is mutually exclusive of a mastopexy (19316). I am fairly new at coding these and would like to find more information and guidance for coding these types of procedures. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

From what I have seen with my surgeon in reading the operative reports on the mastopexy, he is in fact removing a small amout of breast tissue and does not in any way consider it a reduction. The diagnosis I look for with reductions is 611.1 as the primary and typically around 300 grams is low for reductions unless it is a equalizing reduction for breast cancer patients. Hope that helps.