Wiki Skin Cancer Screening

[dballard2004]

If a patient comes into the clinic for a skin cancer screening (no E/M being performed), we are using ICD-9 code of V76.43 and the preventative counseling codes based on time. What happens if during the screening we find something of concern? Does this then change to an E/M service where we can code an E/M office visit code (99201-99215)?

 

[Herbie Lorona]

If you find something of concern you can also bill for a E&M Code with modifier 25 along with the Prevenative Visit

 

[dballard2004]

That is what I thought too! Thanks so very much

 

[kasdmb]

RE Derm Question

Just because a problem may be found upon routine screening does not automatically justify payment for an additional E&M. Please read your guidelines. They specifically state that "If an abnormality is encountered or a preexisting problem is addressed in the process of performing this preventive medicine evaluation and management service, and if the problem or abnormality is significant enough to require additional work to perform the key components of a problem-oriented E/M service, then the appropriate Office/Outpatient code 99201-99215 should also be reported.