Question: The physician performed a puncture aspiration to destroy three cysts in a patient’s left breast. How should I report this encounter?
Alabama Subscriber
Answer: When your physician performs puncture aspirations, you should account for each cyst destruction separately.
On the claim, you should:
• report 19000 (Puncture aspiration of cyst of breast) for the first destruction.
• report +19001 (... each additional cyst [list separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) x 2 for the other two cyst destructions.
Remember: When coding cyst destructions, always use 19000 for the first cyst. Also, never report add-on code 19001 without 19000 because you are not allowed to report 19001 alone. Also report separately any imaging guidance the physician uses.
