Pediatric Coding Alert
Use Skin Tag Code in These Extra Digit Encounters
Question: Occasionally, our pediatricians will remove a polydactylous digit from a newborn if there is no bone involvement. What is the correct way to code these procedures? AAPC Forum Participant Answer: In cases like this, you may be tempted to follow the CPT® index and use 26587 (Reconstruction of polydactylous digit, soft tissue and bone) for reconstruction or repair of an extra finger or 28344 (Reconstruction, toe(s); polydactyly) for removal of an extra toe. However, as your pediatrician is not removing bone from the digit, you should follow the note for 26587, which tells you that you should use 11200 (Removal of skin tags, multiple fibrocutaneous tags, any area; up to and including 15 lesions) “for excision of polydactylous digit, soft tissue only.” As for an ICD-10 code, regardless of the CPT® code you have chosen, you will use a code from Q69.0 (Accessory finger(s)), Q69.1 (Accessory thumb(s)), or Q69.2 (Accessory toe(s)) as appropriate.
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Use Skin Tag Code in These Extra Digit Encounters
Question: Occasionally, our pediatricians will remove a polydactylous digit from a newborn if there is [...]
