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General Surgery Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

Depth Determines Lymphadenectomy Code

Published on Wed Apr 27, 2005

Question: Which code properly describes axillary lymphadenectomy?


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Answer: The code you choose depends on the depth of the lymph nodes the surgeon excised.

You can choose between 38740 (Axillary lymphadenectomy; superficial) and 38745 (... complete), depending on the surgeon's documentation.

If the surgeon documented that he entered the muscle and removed deep lymph nodes in addition to superficial nodes, report 38745. Otherwise, you should bill for a superficial lymphadenectomy using 38740. Technical and coding advice for You Be the Coder and Reader Questions provided by Marcella Bucknam, CPC, CCS, CPC-H, CCS-P, HIM program coordinator at Clarkson College in Omaha, Neb.
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