Wiki AK lesions removal

[rameshrph]

The patient has 15 AK lesions removed by cryosurgery on bilateral arms and chest. Three days later he returns for fu and has 5 AKs removed by cryosurgery. The second visit will need to be billed with 17000 and 17003. What would be the correct modifier to append for the second visit.

 

[mback]

Depends. Were the AK's treated on the second visit the same ones as the first? If not, I would use modifier 79. If they were the same ones, I would use modifier 58.