Wiki Need help with skin lesion removal coding

[Nancy Grisanti]

When coding skin lesion removals, is it appropriate to hold CPT coding until the pathology report is received with either malignant or benign DX?

 

[jackjones62]

Absolutely, excision of skin lesion (CPT 114XX and 116XX)codes are based upon a malignant or benign diagnosis; also remember, exc. of malignant lesions (116XX) have higher RVU's than the exc. of benign lesions (114XX); not waiting for a pathology report to code appropriately may have a negative impact on the practices revenue.

Jennifer
CT ENT

 

[JenniferVC]

Yes it is appropriate to wait for the pathology report. You do need to know if it was malignant or benign, especially if the removal method was excision.

 

[Herbie Lorona]

Yes you would want to hold until it comes back so you can put the correct diagnosis on the claim.

 

[Teresa Collins]

I agree. You need to hold for correct coding.

Teresa Collins, CPC