Wiki Complex repair coding help needed!

[robertn.meza]

Hi all, I’m hoping that a CPC can assist me with appropriate coding for the scenario below.

Scenario is provider preforms mohs to single BCC of left cheek. Method of closure to cheek is complex repair, however closure extends to lower eyelid. What would be the appropriate route to take in terms of selecting complex repair CPT(s)?

Complex repair to cheek CPT only?
Complex repair to cheek and eyelid CPT?

Thank you very much for your help!

 

[Orthocoderpgu]

I would make sure that this meets the requirements for "complex" closure. Physicians tend to use words like "complex" but have a different meaning than coders do. There is a paragraph that talks about how to code for "multiple wounds", but that is not the case here. Unless the documented length of the repair of they eyelid is at least 1.1 cm you would not be able to use the code anyway. I would advise to add the eyelid repair with the cheek unless the documented size of the eyelid repair is at least 1.1.cm.