Wiki destruction of malignant lessions

[amadison]

If you are billing for the destruction of more than one malignant lesion would you bill the same code twice with a 59 mod. Or would you bill units? For example CPT 17272.

 

[heathermc]

Depends on the carrier. Our local bcbs likes units, but medicare and medicaid like them listed on each line with a modifier.

 

[JessicaHeemskerk]

Most carriers prefer the malignant destructions to be billed on serperate lines. Check the CCI edits to see if a 59 required. (if it's the same exact code then 59 would go on the second + code) but if it's different codes, they aren't always needed.

 

[Treetoad]

I've always billed them with modifier 59 (separate lesion). They may also be two lesions in the same body area but of different sizes. You would want to capture that somehow.