Wiki callus removal

[neha.bhatnagar]

Hi Friends

Internal medicine physician removed callus of finger by cryotherapy insurance company denied stating diagnosis is inconsistent with the procedure.The coding was done as follows.
11055 - 700
please help

Thanks
Neha Bhatnagar CPC, CPC-H

 

[cgallimore]

If the physician removed the callus via cryosurgery, use CPT 17000. However, many payers will not pay for the removal or destruction of calluses as not medically necessary. That could be the issue because if the callus was excised (paring or cutting), your coding is correct. You may want to contact your payer and verify the denial reason.

 

[KLRuhe]

I agree with above except use 17110 rather than 17000. 17000 is for actinic keratosis (premalignant lesions) only.

Kay, CPC

 

[cgallimore]

Sorry, yes that is correct - use 17110 for this. Thanks for catching that!