Wiki Wide Excision Melanoma thigh

[ASC CODER]

Surgeon is Excising a malignant tumor from the right thigh. I don't know the size yet but I wanted to make sure I have this straight.

Question: Because the tumor is malignant and in the thigh we are to use 27327 and not the full thicknes excision codes 11603?

I need some clarification on using the new excision codes.

Thanks

 

[capricew]

What is key in determining the code is 1) the size of defect including most narrow margins and 2) whether or not the closure was simple, intermediate or complex

(complex closures are separately reported in addition to excision code,however, if a tissue transfer or advancement is done to achieve closure then the only code you report is the tissue transfer code as it includes the excision of lesion)

once you have these factors you can properly choose which codes are best whether it is 11600-11646

melanomas, basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas are to be coded from the integumentary section of coding and not the musculoskeletal section

 

[ASC CODER]

Thank you for your reply