Reader Questions:
Multiple Diagnoses all Count for Payment
Published on Mon Apr 13, 2009
Question: My urologist documented that he performed a release of skin bridges, times three, along with a partial scrotal resection with removal of multiple cysts. He wrote: "The skin bridges were released first with a clamp and then divided with sharp dissection. 7-0 chromic sutures were used to close one incision; Dermabond for the others. We then addressed the scrotal cysts -- one large area with multiple cysts was removed. There were three other cysts isolated. I divided those with a cautery and pulled them up dividing them at the base and closing them with Dermabond." What CPT codes should I use? North Dakota Subscriber Answer: You should report 54162 (Lysis or excision of penile post-circumcision adhesions) for the incisions of the penile skin adhesions. Then, use the excision codes 11420-11426 (Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag [unless listed elsewhere], scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia ...), listing each one [...]
