Reader Questions:
Does 49203-49205 Apply For Liver Mass Excision?
Published on Tue Apr 19, 2011
Question:What code would I use for an excision of a retro hepatic mass via thoracic-abdominal incision?California SubscriberAnswer:You should consider the liver to be an intraperitoneal organ. Therefore, look at the following codes to see which best describes the procedure your physician performed: 49203 -- Excision or destruction, open, intra-abdominal tumors, cysts or endometriomas, 1 or more peritoneal, mesenteric, or retroperitoneal primary or secondary tumors; largest tumor 5 cm diameter or less49204 -- ... largest tumor 5.1-10.0 cm diameter49205 -- ... largest tumor greater than 10.0 cm diameter.