Reader questions:
Attach Two Diagnostic Codes for Cyst Removal Payment
Published on Tue Feb 16, 2010
Ques.: My urologist did a vasectomy and removed eight scrotal sebaceous cysts at the same time. Which CPT Codes & ICD-9 Codes should I use? California Subscriber Answer: You should code the excision of each sebaceous cyst according to the size of each cyst removed. Choose codes from the 11420-11426 (Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag [unless listed elsewhere], scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia ...) range based on the excised diameter including margins. Your diagnosis for sebaceous cyst would be 706.2 (Sebaceous cyst). Don't miss: You will need a secondary diagnosis to explain the medical reason(s) for the cyst removal if you expect a payer to reimburse you for this service, however. Some possible ICD-9 codes that could apply are 459.0 (Bleeding), 686.8 (Other specified local infections of skin and subcutaneous tissue), 695.9 (Other specified erythematous conditions; other), or 782.0 (Disturbance of skin sensation). Without one of these [...]