Destruction of wart via bleomycin [J9040]

[ndebien]

The AAD advises that coding is to be based on the intent of the procedure. When a wart is treated via bleomycin, the intent is destruction via chemical therapy. This being the case, why would one try to bill out an injection code with the medication [11900+J9040]? Shouldn't the proper code be 17110?

 

[lynnemcc5]

Destruction of a lesion is done through various methods. You are correct to code destruction.

 

[jholt12]

The AAD advises that coding is to be based on the intent of the procedure. When a wart is treated via bleomycin, the intent is destruction via chemical therapy. This being the case, why would one try to bill out an injection code with the medication [11900+J9040]? Shouldn't the proper code be 17110?

Hello,
Please review to the coding guidelines before using the destruction code.

Destruction means the ablation of benign, premalignant or malignant tissues by any method, with or without curettement, including local anesthesia, and not usually requiring closure.

Any method includes electrosurgery, cryosurgery, laser and chemical treatment. Lesions include condylomata, papillomata, molluscum contagiosum, herpetic lesions, warts (ie, common, plantar, flat), milia, or other benign, premalignant (eg, actinic keratoses), or malignant lesions.