CPT ® does not make it easy to locate codes for destruction of lesion (s). These codes are found in multiple chapters throughout the CPT ® book, and are classified by a variety of factors (size, method of destruction, type (pre-malignant/malignant/benign), etc.) Accurate coding is essential to accurate payment.
For example, if a lesion is excised because of suspicion of malignancy (e.g., ICD-10-CM code D48.5), the Medical Record might include “increase in size” to support this diagnosis. “Increase in size” might also support the diagnosis of disturbance of skin sensation (R20.0-R20.3, R20.8).
However, a benign lesion excision (CPT 11400-11446) must have medical record documentation as to why an excisional removal, other than for cosmetic purposes, was the surgical procedure of choice.
The type of removal is at the discretion of the treating physician and the appropriateness of the technique used will not be a factor in deciding if a lesion merits removal.
ICD-10 code: L98. 9 Disorder of skin and subcutaneous tissue, unspecified.
ICD-10-CM Code for Disorder of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, unspecified L98. 9.
ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code B08 B08.
ICD-9-CM is the official system of assigning codes to diagnoses and procedures associated with hospital utilization in the United States. The ICD-9 was used to code and classify mortality data from death certificates until 1999, when use of ICD-10 for mortality coding started.
Disorder of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, unspecified The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM L98. 9 became effective on October 1, 2021. This is the American ICD-10-CM version of L98.
Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin of other sites limited to breakdown of skin. L98. 491 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM L98.
The difference between a tumor and a neoplasm is that a tumor refers to swelling or a lump like swollen state that would normally be associated with inflammation, whereas a neoplasm refers to any new growth, lesion, or ulcer that is abnormal.
Definition of lesion 1 : injury, harm. 2 : an abnormal change in structure of an organ or part due to injury or disease especially : one that is circumscribed (see circumscribe sense 1) and well defined.
5: Neoplasm of uncertain or unknown behaviour: Skin.
In a concise statement, ICD-9 is the code used to describe the condition or disease being treated, also known as the diagnosis. CPT is the code used to describe the treatment and diagnostic services provided for that diagnosis.
Currently, the U.S. is the only industrialized nation still utilizing ICD-9-CM codes for morbidity data, though we have already transitioned to ICD-10 for mortality.
ICD-9 defines conventions as that group of punctuation, abbreviations, typefaces, symbols, and instructional notes enabling the coder to correctly use ICD-9-CM. Bold type is used for codes and titles in the tabular and main terms in the index.
2. The CPT code describes what was done to the patient during the consultation, including diagnostic, laboratory, radiology, and surgical procedures while the ICD code identifies a diagnosis and describes a disease or medical condition. 3. CPT codes are more complex than ICD codes.
ICD - ICD-9 - International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision. × Search NCHS. Search NCHS All CDC. National Center for Health Statistics. ICD-9.
ICD-9 uses mostly numeric codes with only occasional E and V alphanumeric codes. Plus, only three-, four- and five-digit codes are valid. ICD-10 uses entirely alphanumeric codes and has valid codes of up to seven digits.
13,000 codesThe current ICD-9-CM system consists of ∼13,000 codes and is running out of numbers.
For example, if a lesion is excised because of suspicion of malignancy (e.g., ICD-10-CM code D48.5), the Medical Record might include “increase in size” to support this diagnosis. “Increase in size” might also support the diagnosis of disturbance of skin sensation (R20.0-R20.3, R20.8).
Similarly, use of an ICD-10 code L82.0 (Inflamed seborrheic keratosis) will be insufficient to justify lesion removal, without the medical record documentation of the patients' symptoms and physical findings. It is important to document the patient's signs and symptoms as well as the physician's physical findings.
Effective from April 1, 2010, non-covered services should be billed with modifier –GA, -GX, -GY, or –GZ, as appropriate.
It is the responsibility of the provider to code to the highest level specified in the ICD-10-CM. The correct use of an ICD-10-CM code does not assure coverage of a service. The service must be reasonable and necessary in the specific case and must meet the criteria specified in this determination.
For excision of benign lesions requiring more than simple closure, i.e., requiring intermediate or complex closure, report 11400-11466 in addition to appropriate intermediate (12031-12057) or complex closure (13100-13153) codes. For reconstructive closure, see 14000-14300, 15000-15261, and 15570-15770.
If a claim is filed, ICD-9 CM code V50.1 (Other plastic surgery for unacceptable cosmetic appearance) should be used in conjunction with the appropriate CPT code.
CPT code 17110 should be reported with one unit of service for removal of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular lesions, up to 14 lesions. CPT code 17111 is also reported with one unit of service representing 15 or more lesions.
Medical records maintained by the physician must clearly document the medical necessity for the lesion removal (s).
Excision is defined as full-thickness (through the dermis) removal of a lesion, including margins, and includes simple (non-layered) closure when performed. Each benign lesion excised should be reported separately.
Removal of benign skin lesions is not considered cosmetic when symptoms or signs which warrant medical intervention are present, including but not limited to:
Lesion clinically restricts eye function, for example, but not limited to: