Dermatology Coding Alert
Use Size, Location to Determine Graft Reporting
Question: The dermatologist treated a burn patient who was receiving a skin graft. The area was 14 cm x 14 cm on the patient's left leg. How should I report this and receive full reimbursement? Answer: First, identify the defect by size and location and the type of graft. Grafts will include simple debridement of granulations or recent avulsion. Your dermatologist should clearly document the type of skin graft completed.
New Hampshire Subscriber
Then, you can look to other codes such as 15000 (Surgical preparation or creation of recipient site by excision of open wounds, burn eschar, or scar [including subcutaneous tissues]; first 100 sq cm or one percent of body area of infants and children) for the initial wound preparation of the graft area.
CPT also advises you to report 15100-15261 for autogenous skin grafts; for autogenous tissue-cultured skin grafts, use 15100-15121. These codes include harvesting of keratinocytes and their subsequent application. You should code procedures by recipient site. Use codes 15342 (Application of bilaminate skin substitute/neodermis; 25 sq cm) and +15343 (... each additional 25 sq cm [list separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) for application of skin substitute/neodermis. And, use modifier -58 (Staged or related procedure or service ...) for staged application procedure(s).
Don't forget: Repair of a donor site requiring skin graft or local flaps is added as an additional procedure.
Dermatology Coding Alert
- Mohs Procedure Update:
Determine Medical or Cosmetic to Avoid Unnecessary Denials
You can earn as much as $550 by reporting wound closure correctly
When you report Mohs [...] - NCCI 10.1 Update:
Latest Edits Will Not Affect Your Dermatology Practice
Dermatologists got another breather on the latest round of National Corrective Coding Initiative edits, version [...] - Use CPT Guidelines to Help You Decipher Wound Repair
4 guidelines to follow to recoup your deserved pay
Use your CPT book to learn the [...] - Documentation Holds the Key for Full Dermatology Pay
Don\'t miss these 4 questions to help you recoup as much as $80
Solid documentation that [...] - You Be The Coder:
Reporting Multiple Procedures
Question: How do I report modifier -51 correctly when I am reporting multiple procedures provided [...] - 3 Tips Decipher Your Distinct and Repeat Procedures
Use modifiers -59, -76 and -77 without throwing a hitch into your pay
When you report [...] - Reader Question:
Atypical Moles Reporting Isn't Clear-Cut
Question: How should I code a dysplastic nevus on the body (trunk)?
Maryland Subscriber Answer: [...] - Reader Question:
Updates Bring Payment for Agents
Question: I hear that the 2004 fee schedule brought about some billing concerns related to [...] - Reader Question:
Use Size, Location to Determine Graft Reporting
Question: The dermatologist treated a burn patient who was receiving a skin graft. The area [...] - Reader Question:
Lesion Excision or Biopsy
Question: When a provider performs a lesion excision or a biopsy and does not know [...]
