Dermatology Coding Alert
Avoid Modifiers With 17003
Question: Our dermatologist removed three lesions from a patient's left arm. Should we code the removal with 17000 and CPT 17003 with a modifier, or should we report 17000 and then 17003 twice? Also, when reporting 17003 to a carrier, should we append modifier 51 because 17003 is a subsequent code?
West Virginia Subscriber
Answer: You should not append any modifiers to +17003 (Destruction [e.g., laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement], all benign or premalignant lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions; second through 14th lesions, each [list separately in addition to code for first lesion]). Code 17003 is an add-on code you use in conjunction with 17000 (Destruction [e.g., laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement], all benign or premalignant lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions; first lesion).
Never report add-on codes as stand-alone codes, and remember that they may not be reported with modifier 51 (Multiple procedures).
Example: The dermatologist removes four lesions from a patient's left foot. You would code the procedure with 17000 and 17003 x three units.
Dermatology Coding Alert
- Lesion Excisions Done Right:
Measure First, Diagnose Later
Warning: Length of incision doesn\'t equal excised diameter
When it comes to coding lesion excisions, [...] - News You Can Use:
Prepare for E/M Payment Boost--but Losses for Other Codes
Higher-level codes are biggest winners
Not all CPT codes will see a significant change in their [...] - E/M Quiz:
Test Your Review-of-Systems Knowledge
2 scenarios from our experts help you improve your skills
Before you report any E/M services, [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Include Prescription Writing In E/M
Question: I heard that there's a code we can bill to indicate when our dermatologist [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Avoid Modifiers With 17003
Question: Our dermatologist removed three lesions from a patient's left arm. Should we code the [...] - You Be the Coder:
Would You Use 15300-15301 for Graft Changes?
Question: Our dermatologic surgeons often use allograft for temporary wound closure (for example, 15300, 15301). [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Untangle These Lidocaine Bundles
Question: I'm fairly new to coding, and I was told that I should submit J2001 [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
For Adhesive Strips Alone, Report E/M
Question: Recently, a payer rejected a claim for wound repair (12005) using a combination of [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Use 99201-99205 if Patient Switches to Your Office
Question: When my dermatologist covers for another local private-practice dermatologist, I code the office visits [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Modifier 59 Doesn't Override Payment Reduction
Question: When I remove one lesion and biopsy another with an uncertain nature, Medicare pays [...]
