Wiki Dermatology Modifier -25

[nturner1]

Hello,
I'm new at coding Dermatology services. Can you tell me if modifier 25 would be applicable for this example?
For instance, if a patient comes office in for full skin check. She has a history of seborrheic dermatitis and Actinic keratoses. The patient receive Liquid nitrogen x2 freeze thaw cycles applied to the actinic keratoses. Would an EM visit be billed with modifier -25 for seborrheic dermatitis in addition to the minor procedure for destruction of keratoses?

 

[nkrush12]

Hi! In order to bill any office visit with a minor procedure; a separate and identifiable service must be documented. EM codes are based on problems addressed, review of data and risk. Based on your example, no documentation exists where the dermatitis was addressed and plan of care given.

If the DX was discussed, it should be documented with appropriate history, labs/data reviewed (if any) and plan of care to justify the level of EM code billed.

 

[nturner1]

Thanks! This helps. Yes, the Dermatitis was documented/addressed in addition to the AK lesion that was destroyed with LN.