Use This Code for Ganglion Cyst Treatments
Question: If a patient presents with three ganglion cysts on their ankle and foot and the emergency department (ED) provider aspirates all of them, how should I report the encounter? AAPC Forum Subscriber Answer: First, you’ll report CPT® code 20612 (Aspiration and/or injection of ganglion cyst(s) any location) by itself. This is the code for all three ganglion cyst removals, but you’ll report the first instance without any modifiers. Then, you’ll report 20612 two more times; make sure to append modifier 59 (Distinct procedural service) to the second and third 20612 entries to make sure the payer knows that these are three separate removals. Why? You’ll report multiple ganglion removals this way because, per CPT® 2025, “To report multiple ganglion cyst aspirations/injections, use 20612 and append modifier 59.” Dx alert: You should look through the notes or query the provider if you can and find out which foot and ankle the ED physician treated. If you can’t find out the laterality of the cysts, append M67.749 (Ganglion, unspecified ankle and foot) to all three codes on the claim. Chris Boucher, MS, CPC, Senior Development Editor, AAPC
