Wiki Post op appointment with new finding

[scpeters]

Can anyone help me with this:

Patient came in for a post operative appointment from resection of a melanoma and the doctor found a new area of concern that he wants to schedule for biopsy. How would this visit be coded?

Just with a post op 99024 with no payment or is there a way that we can code this visit to get payment?

Thank you in advance!

Stephanie

 

[ellzeycoding]

Code an appropriate level of E/M with modifier 24 if the area of new concern is unrelated to the original procedure.

You may get a denial with carrier thinking the E/M is related to the postop and the original surgery. An appeal with notes would show that a new separate E/M unrelated to the procedure was performed today.