General Surgery Coding Alert
Don't Confuse Excision and Biopsy
Published on Mon Jul 04, 2005
Keep in mind that a tissue biopsy as described by 19100-19103 is distinct from excision 19120.
From a surgeon's standpoint, anytime he removes tissue for pathology analysis, he has performed a biopsy. From a coding standpoint, however, 19100-19103 describe removal of only a portion of a cyst, fibroadenoma or other benign or malignant tissue for analysis, while excision as described by 19120 involves removing the entire mass.
"No matter how the doctor titles the operative report, biopsy is a piece, and excision is the whole thing," Garner says.
Learn more: For complete information on breast biopsy procedures 19100-19103, look to next month's (September 2005) General Surgery Coding Alert.
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General Surgery Coding Alert
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