Dermatology Coding Alert
Reader Questions:
Find Your Candida Antigen Code Here
Published on Tue Oct 11, 2011
Question:
Illinois Subscriber
Answer:
Candida antigen injection is a relatively new method for treating warts, not approved by the FDA. In this case, using the code 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) is the safer way to go.Old school:
In the past, you coded wart removal with 17000- 17003, but revisions to these codes were made in 2007. Today, 17110-17111 is primarily used. The difference is that the old codes previously also included "all benign or premalignant lesions (e.g., actinic keratoses)."Remember, code 17110 covers up to 14 lesions; report 17111 for 15 lesions or more.
Other Articles in this issue of
Dermatology Coding Alert
- AK Treatments:
17000 or 96567? Base AK Treatment Coding on Method, Number of Lesions
Freezing. lasers, PDT, or shaving -- the correct code can be worth over $170. Millions of [...] - ICD-10 Countdown:
Get Ready or Get Fined -- That's the CMS Message
Explore 6 FAQs to ramp up your ICD-10 coding know-how.Denials aren't the only thing you [...] - Diagnosis Coding:
6 Tips Help Keep Your ICD-9 Coding on Track
Cheat sheets come with a warning label.To help ensure your coding complies with ICD-9 guidelines, [...] - Part B Updates:
Vendor Won't Be Ready for 5010? Get Claims in Before 2011 Ends, CMS Advises
Plus: E-prescribing hardship exemptions are due in November, CMS reminds.Practices from all across the country [...] - E/M Coding:
Only 'Treating Physician' Can Report Subsequent Observation Care, CMS Clarifies
All other doctors who evaluate the patient must report outpatient E/M codes.In effect for ten [...] - You Be the Coder:
Lacerations At Same Site
Question: A patient with a 1.5-cm laceration on his eyebrow presented to our dermatology practice. [...] - Reader Questions:
Find Your Candida Antigen Code Here
Question: My dermatologist uses candida antigen for wart destruction. Previously, I used code 17110 for [...] - Reader Question:
99360 Is One to Skip for Medicare Billing
Question: Our dermatologists sometimes "standby" for other surgeons in some high-risk procedures or cases. They [...] - Reader Question:
Disregard Generic Code for Plantar Wart
Question: A patient reports to the dermatologist with a painful right foot. The dermatologist finds [...]
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