Dermatology Coding Alert
Reader Questions:
Biofreeze or Cryotherapy?
Published on Wed Oct 27, 2010
Question:
West Virginia Subscriber
Answer:
Biofreeze is the same as cryotherapy, so report 17110 (Destruction [e.g., laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement], of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions; up to 14 lesions).Tip:
Insurance companies often classify wart removal as a cosmetic procedure unless the warts cause pain. Because of this stance, payers often will not reimburse for wart destruction without prior authorization.Caution:
Don't be tempted to submit 17000 (Destruction [e.g., laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement], premalignant lesions [e.g., actinic keratoses]; first lesion) for wart removal. Warts don't qualify as "premalignant lesions" described by 17000.-- Technical and coding advice for You Be the Coder and Reader Questions provided by Pamela Biffle, CPC, CPCP, CPC-I, CCS-P, CHCC, CHCO, owner of PB Healthcare Consulting and Education Inc. in Watauga, Texas.
Other Articles in this issue of
Dermatology Coding Alert
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707.00-707.09 Basics: 4 Questions Guide Your Ulcer Reporting
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Avoid modifier 25 scrutiny with proper 'separately identifiable' documentation.Reporting a separate E/M every time your [...] - 25 or 57? Use This Handy Tool to Pick the Right Modifier -- Every Time
Your modifier 25 claims should meet all of the following criteria:The E/M occurs on the [...] - OIG Update:
Practices Collected Over $8 Million for Services Rendered After Patients Died
OIG identified massive overpayments for services rendered after patients' dates of death.Your dermatology practice should [...] - You Be the Coder:
Botox Injection During Global
Question: How should we code if a patient recently had surgery and a Botox injection [...] - Reader Questions:
11403 and 21930: Should You Measure Lesions the Same Way?
Question: If our dermatologist removes a sebaceous cyst from the back that measures 2.5 x [...] - Reader Questions:
CMS Spells Out MD's Role in E/M
Question: I've heard that for an E/M visit, the physician is responsible for certain parts [...] - Reader Questions:
Biofreeze or Cryotherapy?
Question: A patient came to the office with a bump on her foot; the dermatologist [...]
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