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Wiki wide excisions

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nc_coder

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We have a physician that turned in a "Wide Local Excision" of melanoma. Would this be the Excision of lesion codes? If not, where should I be looking? Could you please also include the source for your answer?
Thank you
 
Throw out "wide local" - that's just the type of excision it is but doesn't change the coding.

It's an excision. Wide local only means they are excising the lesion, whether benign or malignant, and some healthy tissue around it.

But in order to give you the appropriate code, I need more details. How DEEP did the excision go, was it superficial or through the subcutaneous tissue? If superficial, you should use codes from the 10000 section and determine by size and location. If subcutaneous, go to the 20000 section and determine by location.

Can't think of any other variables unless a flap was performed.

Let me know!
 
I AGREE COMPLETELY!

advancement flaps (when/if done) ...those are 14xxx and if that was done with a lesion excision...the excision is NOT reported separately!
 
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