The answer to a reader's question in the September 2005 Dermatology Coding Alert ("Append 59 to Indicate 2 Surgical Sites") was incorrect. For a scenario in which a dermatologist had removed two benign lesions ...quot; one from the shoulder and one from the abdomen ...quot; as well as an actinic keratosis from the patient's face, we suggested these codes: Problem: The National Correct Coding Initiative bundles 11400 (Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag [unless listed elsewhere], trunk, arms or legs; excised diameter 0.5 cm or less) and 17000 (Destruction, all benign or premalignant lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions; first lesion). However, 17000 is the Column 1 code in this bundle, and modifier 59 (Distinct procedural service) should always appear next to the Column 2 code ...quot; 11400 in this case. And, your carrier may require modifier 76 (Repeat procedure by same physician) appended to the second line of 11400. We apologize for the error.
Line 1: 11400
Line 2: 11400-59
Line 3: 17000-59.
The correct coding for the above scenario is:
Line 1: 17000
Line 2: 11400-59
Line 3: 11400-59-76.