Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: My ENT wants to remove a benign lesion of the pinna, 5x8 mm with local anesthesia. Do I modify the 1144x code to reflect the use of local, not general anesthesia?

Wyoming Subscriber

Answer: You don't need a modifier for 11440-11446 (Excision, other benign lesion including margins, except skin tag [unless listed elsewhere], face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane ...). Local anesthesia is included in the procedure's description.

Rule of thumb: Your code selection for removal procedure depends on the number, location, type, and size of the lesion(s). If the excision involves mainly skin, use 11440-11446.